Certified for Your Protection

JDE Connect / iBOLT supposedly went through some pretty rigorous testing to achieve the IBM Server Proven designation from IBM. According to Magic Software, makers of the JDE Connect / iBOLT solution for application-to-application integration for Oracle JD Edwards World and OneWorld customers, they have certified their integration suite for several technologies on the IBM System i, (formerly iSeries).

In terms of the computing platform itself, the official certification is for the IBM iSeries running V4.5 and above on IBM servers with PowerPC processors, requires PASE. This includes a formal announcement of i5OS support made at COMMON Spring 2006.

Needless to say, the supported database on the System i is DB2/400 and of course IFS is supported as well.

In terms of the tested Web servers, these would include so-called HTTP original and HTTP powered by Apache 2.0.47.

In the realm of middleware, JDE Connect / iBOLT can utilize IBM WebSphere® MQ 5.3 client/server for messaging capabilities; JMS (requires JMS API 1.3 Client or higher); JRE 1.4.2 for Java integration capabilities; LDAP V.2 and V.3 using simple bind; SOAP 1.1; and SNMP V.1 and V.2, among others.

When it comes to Application Servers, none is required, however, IBM WebSphere® Application Server V.4, is certified for J2EE integration. Thought you might want to know…

Integrating Small Package Delivery Services with ERP Systems

Small and mid-size businesses can't afford armies of IT professionals to create customized integration applications to manage shipment tracking. Straightforward online tools from shippers like UPS are available, but integration with backend systems seems complicated.

But if you're thirsty for a glass of water, you want to drink. And that's what JDE Connect does – it creates a refreshing connection between shipping services and your ERP system that let's even small and midsize business on System i (or iSeries systems) take advantage of online shipping services. Let's look at the example of integration with UPS OnLine Tools to see how:

What it Does

JDE Connect uses the iBOLT UPS component to facilitate connection to United Parcel Service (UPS) applications via the Internet. The UPS component supports various shipping services including getting shipping rates; selecting services; shipping packages; tracking packages; determining shipment time; and canceling shipments.

How It Works

The UPS component invokes UPS OnLine Tools by initiating HTTP communication with the UPS server, as an alternative, you can also use the iBOLT Web Services component and simply invoke a UPS Web Service, it's up to you. If you do choose UPS OnLine tools, keep in mind that they use the secure HTTP (HTTPS) method for protection. Under the hood, interaction with the UPS OnLine tools server uses the HTTP POST method and the HTTP message content is formatted as an XML document.

Why IT Benefits Your Business

A number of benefits can derive from integrating UPS online tools with J.D. Edwards:

By reducing errors at the point of entry, improving flexibility of shipping options and even customizing your tracking numbers, the entire customer experience is enhanced as improved customer service levels are achieved.

Enhance compliance by simplifying tracking and solidifying audit trails, which is especially useful for international shipping.

Reduces support costs, returns and misdeliveries due to address errors by utilizing UPS Online Tools that are fully integrated with your website and your J.D. Edwards order processes.

Provide customers and employees with online ordering, shipping capabilities, and tracking, fully integrated with your J.D. Edwards system, enhancing the customer experience and increasing use of your website.

For a set of sample projects including a project about this Component, click http://ftp.magicsoftware.com/iBOLTproduct/samples/v2.5/ and click on SampleProfect2.5.zip to download the sample projects.

Mixed Oracle JDE and SAP Scenario? Yikes!

People are always interested in the use case scenarios for using JDE Connect. This one is interesting and somewhat blows my mind because it involves a mixed Oracle J.D. Edwards and SAP Business One environment. How companies get themselves in these situations is beyond me (well, I guess I understand that mergers, acquisitions, and just evolution over time lead to all this disparity) but it happens every day. The scenario shown below describes a situation leveraging ERP applications running on different platforms: J.D. Edwards on IBM System i, SAP Business One on IBM System x, and a custom RPG application also on the IBM System i, and certain functions of these financial applications are all integrated via a Web-based interface.

The scenario consists of these steps:

• A request via the Web to a JDE Connect/iBOLT Server.

• The Server categorizes the request as Customer, Vendor, or Partner.

• Customer requests are directed to a JD Edwards 5250 application, running on an IBM System i (formerly iSeries or AS/400) server, which updates the JD Edwards database. The AR is then updated and a confirmation email message is sent.

• Vendor requests are directed to a custom RPG application, which also runs on flawlessly on the IBM System i server, so there is no need to replace it, just a need to bring in the web input that updates the vendor database. The AP is then updated and a confirmation email message is sent to the vendor.

• Partner requests are directed to an SAP Business One® system, running on a “Wintel” server, that updates the SAP database. The J.D. Edwards system running on an IBM System i server is then updated and a confirmation email message is sent.

So it is kind of odd how company get into these situations, where they are using one application for CRM and partner management and another for other core processes. But it happens. And when it does, it is nice to be able to keep everything in sync.