Linoma Surveyor/400


Managing RPG Environments

OK, so you're comfortable with green screens, the command line and cryptic OS/400 commands and Query. It's something you're used to using.

But what if there's a better way that won't break the budget?

What if, instead of green screens, the command line and cryptic OS/400 commands, the i-Series team can be equipped with true point and click access to the i-Series and in addition have access to up-to-date 'windows- like' functionality.

Product of the Year
Surveyor/400 named Search400.com's Application Development Product of the Year!

"Surveyor 400 has transformed the way we upload spreadsheet data. Previously with the IBM file transfer, we needed first to create the file, then run a download process to create the definition, then using this definition, upload the data. With Surveyor 400 the process is far simpler, the file is automatically created on the AS400 at the time of upload, the data is selectively sent with a simple set of SQL statements within the specification, and once the file is on the AS400 it’s just a click of the mouse to create the DDS and add to the system.

Another simple but really useful feature is the ease of importing spooled file data into Excel spreadsheets; the spooled file manager exports the data to a txt file, which is then imported into Excel; a quick and easy way of producing usable spreadsheets directly from spooled file data."

Ken Turner
System Support Manager
Alexandra Plc

Surveyor/400 provides an intuitive and feature-rich interface that truly improves how we interact with the i-Series. Today, literally thousands of i-Series users enjoy its productivity gains on a day-to-day basis. There is simply no other product that offers the same level of functionality and speed as Surveyor/400.

A wide variety of users can take advantage of the benefits of Surveyor/400. With the extensive security and audit tracking built into the product, you have the control over which features are available for each individual user.

If you perform development for the i-Series, you will discover that Surveyor/400 provides a wide variety of benefits to make your job easier. Listed below is just a sample of some of the work you can easily perform using Surveyor/400:



  • Explore your i-Series through a drill-down tree interface similar to Windows Explorer
  • View extensive details on any object through an intuitive multi-tabbed panel
  • Query, display and edit database records using Surveyor/400's graphical File Editor
  • Perform mass updates and deletes of database records that meet your filter criteria
  • Reactivate deleted database records, no matter where they were deleted from
  • Track database record changes with detailed audit logs
  • Display database relations between Physicals and their Logicals
  • Print or copy database file layouts into Excel
  • Enter, run and test SQL statements using Surveyor/400's comprehensive SQL editor
  • Create, modify, copy and test Stored Procedures
  • Reverse engineer database files into their corresponding DDS or DDL source code
  • Display and change data areas
  • Find objects and files using a wide variety of search criteria (generic name, dates, sizes, etc.)
  • Access objects quickly by keying in their object name through a "fast path" dialog
  • Organize related files into user-defined groups
  • Manage objects using the mouse or a command line (e.g. duplicate, move, delete, change, etc.)
  • Switch to different i-Series systems, LPAR partitions and IASPs with a couple clicks of the mouse

In addition and keeping abreast of IBM’s WDSC philosophy, Surveyor400 provides significant aid for developers and administrators.

For Example: Using the SQL Editor.....


Rather than STRSQL, use Surveyor’s integrated GUI SQL editor


Using an 'Export Wizard'.....


An easy to use ‘Wizard’ for exporting i-Series data to PC file formats...


Using Surveyor400's "Fast Path" Capabilities.....


True "point and click" navigation and file operations...


Using the File Editor.....


Simple spreadsheet-like data editing rather than UPDDTA and DFU...


WDSC Properties.....


Fast, mouse driven GUI access for understanding files and records...


Spooled File Manager.....


Use the mouse to access and work with your spooled files...


Remote Systems Exploration.....


Fast, simple windows navigation for selecting the actions to perform...


Your company is playing a risky game if your users have ODBC connections to your iSeries through tools like MS Access or Excel. With unprotected ODBC connections, it is very easy for someone to access unauthorized data or accidentally change and delete database records.




Surveyor/400 is a much better solution for providing access to iSeries data while maintaining database security and integrity. With Surveyor/400, an authorized user must have a valid OS/400 user id and password to connect to the iSeries. Any existing OS/400 object and library authorities will be honoured. As an administrator, you can precisely control which Surveyor/400 features and which libraries a user can have access to.

We knew that users would be resistant to leave the traditional green screen for anything slower. That’s why we designed Surveyor/400 to be very fast and lightweight. OS/400 APIs and stored procedures are often utilized in Surveyor/400 to provide optimum response times. You’ll discover that Surveyor/400 allows you to quickly manoeuvre through your iSeries information.


Surveyor/400's graphical components do not consume interactive CPW, allowing it to take advantage of the processor CPW of your system. Surveyor/400 has been verified to work very well with noninteractive Standard iSeries machines.

FAQs

Can Surveyor/400 run on a non-Windows desktop?

The Surveyor/400 client software is written in the portable language of Java. Many of our customers are successfully running Surveyor/400 on a variety of workstation operating systems. Surveyor/400 can be installed on Windows, Linux graphical desktops, Sun Solaris desktops, Unix graphical desktops and the Macintosh.

Why should I use Surveyor/400 when we already have character-based database tools?

The comprehensive graphical interface of Surveyor/400 is much more usable than limited character-based tools. More information can be displayed at one time in a more intuitive fashion. As an example, the "Object Properties" screen in Surveyor/400 replaces 8 different OS/400 commands for viewing complete details on a physical file.

Multiple windows can also be opened at one time on the screen. For instance, you could open several database files into separate windows and simply toggle between them. This flexible interface will save you many keystrokes and improve productivity.

Since Surveyor/400 integrates with your PC, you can quickly transfer data back and forth between your PC and iSeries. For instance, when using Surveyor/400’s File Editor, you can just click on an iSeries database record and copy it into Excel.

Why should I use Surveyor/400’s file transfer and emulator when I already have Client Access?

Surveyor/400 is a more lightweight solution than Client Access. It requires less PC resources, does not make numerous Window's registry entries and cohabitates very nicely along side other applications. Many customers have complemented us on how much easier it is to transfer data using Surveyor/400 versus Client Access. For instance, when uploading a PC file into an iSeries database with Surveyor/400, you can actually view the PC data on the screen and quickly map its columns to the target database fields through an intuitive graphical wizard. You do not have to bother with creating FDF files.The emulator in Surveyor/400 is full featured, with full color support, keyboard mapping, 132 column support, macros, etc. Plus you can launch various Surveyor/400 graphical components from the command line in Surveyor/400’s emulator. For instance, you can just enter "SFE filename" on the command line to launch Surveyor/400’s graphical file editor over a database file.

Is Surveyor/400 Server Proven by IBM?

Yes. Surveyor/400 is an IBM Server Proven product.


Contact us to learn more or to access your free Surveyor400 trial or to organise your one-to-one demonstration...

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