This document discusses trends in web and mobile access to IBM i systems. It notes that browsers have become the main user interface for most users and that mobile access is growing rapidly as mobile devices surpass desktop computers in internet usage. The document also advocates delivering IBM i applications and data to browsers and mobile devices, implementing open source applications on IBM i systems, and making use of unused processing power on IBM i hardware by running web and open source software.

1. © Proximity 2014
Trends and directions

2. © Proximity 2014
Our solutions
Web and mobile
Business Intelligence
Open source / PHP
Doing more on the IBM i

3. © Proximity 2014
Web and Mobile

4. © Proximity 2014
Web and Mobile
Browsers have become the de facto user interface for most people
Browsers are not yet the standard for IBM i users –but that is the direction we are seeing
The user experience in a browser is getting richer and more productive
Various browsers available and users want choice (and it gets harder to tell them what to use)
Delivering to a web browser is primarily a server side operation
Much like traditional Green Screen
At the same time, Mobile is catching Desktop as the main device to access information

5. © Proximity 2014
Web and Mobile
According to Intelligent Positioning
•UK Mobile (tablet and smartphone) share of traffic increased from 22.8% to 37% in 2013
•UK Desktop’s share of traffic decreased from 77.3% to 62.9% in 2013
•If rates continue, then mobile and tablet visits are set to overtake desktop during 2014
This is probably not reflective of the current IBM i base……..
But the trend is clear.
There is a mobile element to most applications Proximity are now delivering
Especially if there is access by anyone outside the ‘company’
Delivering mobile is a very practical option on IBM i
Browser Based –increasingly common
Responsive (good for visibility / informational functions)
Dedicated (best for data entry / higher interaction levels)
Specific Apps
Often write once and generate for specific devices

6. © Proximity 2014
Survey Data
How important is it to your organization to provide access to web-enabled IBM i screens from mobile devices?
Only 31% said it was not important
How important is it to your organization to create IBM i mobile web apps?
Only 22% said it was not important
What is your most pressing mobile development challenge?
46% said -Don't know where to start / Not enough time/staff

7. © Proximity 2014
Just some of our customers

8. © Proximity 2014
Gartner website:
http://gtnr.it/1eiGB7s

9. © Proximity 2014
“ ”
Gartner website:
http://gtnr.it/1eiGB7s

10. © Proximity 2014
Business Intelligence
http://techcrunch.com/2013/01/03/forrester-saas-and-data-driven-smart-apps-fueling-worldwide-software-growth/

11. © Proximity 2014
About Proximity

12. © Proximity 2014
PHP
Estimates vary but…
Somewhere between 50% and 70% of the web is typically the estimate for how much of the web is delivered with PHP
PHP is designed to deliver browser based applications
Is delivered as part of the operating system
PHP continues to grow in popularity on IBM i and Zend remains very committed to IBM i market.
15% of ZendConattendees were IBM i
BCD once again hosted the IBM i reception at ZendCon

13. © Proximity 2014
Open Source
Open Source continues to grow in popularity
Examples at all levels
PHP
MySQL (though now owned by Oracle)
Lots of JavaScript components
JQuery is a prime example
Apache Server
Applications for many areas
CMS (Content Management System)
CRM (Customer Relation Management)
eCommerce
Wiki
Bug trackers
etc.
PHP and Dbi(MySQL equivalent) opens up the IBM i to run many open source applications
A common model is for a community edition to be free and to pay for extra features and often for a support contract

14. © Proximity 2014
Doing more on the IBM i

15. © Proximity 2014
Doing more on the IBMi
Most new IBM i systems have unused processing capabilities
Most have CPW ratings way in excess of what is needed to run the line of business applications
Memory and disk is relatively cheap and often already in place
Many have ‘cores’ which are unused
Our IBM i has four cores, but only one licenced for OS/400

16. © Proximity 2014
Doing more on the IBMi
Web and Mobile enable existing applications
Deliver more functionality and open applications up to :
Partners
Suppliers
Customers
•Order Management
•Sales Representatives
•Delivery Tracking
Etc.

17. © Proximity 2014
Doing more on the IBMi
Implement existing open source applications for Internal or External use:
Content Management systems (and themes) for websites e.g.
•Drupal
•WordPress
•Joomla
CRM
•Sugar
Bug Management
•Mantis
eCommerce
•Magento
Wiki
•Wikimedia
And there are lots more –mainly very good and mainly free

18. © Proximity 2014
Doing more on the IBMi
Install Linux on a spare core
•Free
•Relatively Easy
•No impact on other CPU usage