Mainframe to Client Server Migration: Strategic Planning Issues...

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 210 pages
• Published by: Computer Technology Research Corporation
• Edition: 1st Edition April 1996
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 1566079675
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-1566079679
• Book Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.8 x 0.8 inches
• Weighs: 1.4 pounds

Book Description
Successful enterprise client/server (C/S) computing depends on smooth integration with legacy systems. This 210-page CTR report evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of different information technology (IT) scenarios, such as the possibility of the mainframe being reborn as a large server which operates with PCs, workstations, and other servers.

Why Migrate to Client/Server?

As client/server (C/S) technology gains momentum, mainframes are no longer the center of the information technology (IT) universe. CTR's report, Mainframe to Client/Server Migration: Strategic Planning Issues and Techniques, discusses the mainframe versus C/S environments and explains why companies are moving to C/S platforms. The report explores the obstacles to successful C/S computing, but also explains the benefits of C/S implementation.

The concepts of C/S technology can provide businesses with a dynamic view of their organizations. This is vital when companies are reengineering processes and undergoing constant change. One major result of the move to C/S is the increased componentization of applications which allows companies far more flexibility in addressing business process reengineering (BPR) issues than traditional mainframe applications.

The report looks at the relationship of BPR and C/S systems, the role of C/S in changing business processes, and organizations' readiness for C/S.

The Integration of Client/Server and Legacy systems

Successful enterprise C/S computing depends on smooth integration with legacy systems. Mainframe to Client/Server Migration: Strategic Planning Issues and Techniques evaluates the pros and cons of different IT scenarios such as the possibility of the mainframe being reborn as a large server which operates with PCs, workstations, and other servers.

The report also explores integration strategies which will enable data access and cooperative processing solutions. Legacy data concerns and advanced mainframes issues are also analyzed.

Client/Server Models Defined

Today's organizations often have many C/S systems connected to the mainframe, with different processes occurring in separate hardware tiers. Many of the C/S applications in use today are of the two-tier, mainframe-based, data passing type, rather than the three-tier or multitier model.

Mainframe to Client/Server Migration: Strategic Planning Issues and Techniques looks at C/S models and provides a detailed discussion of two-tiered versus three-tiered models.

Migration Options, Risks, and Strategies

Mainframe to Client/Server Migration: Strategic Planning Issues and Techniques discusses migration options, including refronting, replacing, rebuilding, and redesigning to accommodate new C/S technologies. The hands-on possibilities for migration are "surround" strategies, presentation mapping, process mapping, data mapping, data replication, and the legacy data server. Ways to reduce migration risks such as outsourcing and standardizing technology are explored, and migration strategies are reviewed.

Client/Server Tools Evaluated

Corporate downsizing and BPR projects have created an enormous demand for new applications. In many cases, highly productive, low-cost C/S tools are helping corporate developers keep pace with this demand. Mainframe to Client/Server Migration: Strategic Planning Issues and Techniques provides analyses of partitioning tools, development/maintenance tools, programming environments, middleware, and C/S computer-aided software engineering (CASE). The report also outlines tool selection and product/vendor issues.

Client/Server Systems Management Options Explored

In the past decade, many companies have reorganized their tightly controlled, centralized IS departments, putting functionality and control in customer-oriented, decentralized units. Some companies now realize this has resulted in chaos and are returning to a centralized structure to cut costs.

Mainframe to Client/Server Migration: Strategic Planning Issues and Techniques explores the advantages and disadvantages of centralized and decentralized management of C/S systems and discusses the network management front.

Future Trends

Mainframe to Client/Server Migration: Strategic Planning Issues and Techniques addresses future C/S trends, particularly distributed databases and the possibilities of C/S online transaction processing (OLTP). Many companies are now integrating their mainframes into C/S. The report discusses whether this trend will become a common practice.

The report also addresses mainframe staying power, covering issues such as lower mainframe prices, IBM's mainframe strategy, the hidden costs of C/S, increased mainframe use, and parallel processing.

Publisher Description
Computer Technology Research Corp. (CTR) is an internationally-recognized research and publishing company. Since 1979, CTR's reports have provided information on major technologies, trends, products, companies, and markets concerning the computer industry. Our reports assist executives, users, and vendors with making strategic decisions regarding information technology products and services.

Each CTR report includes management summaries, competitive analyses, technical product evaluations, vendor marketing strategies and case studies. CTR's reports are independently researched and present unbiased, objective views, strengths and limitations of products, and insight into technology directions. The reports provide managers with the vital quality information that is needed to successfully plan large- and small-scale information technology projects.