New capabilities to make your Web applications easier to use.

We've just added a how-to article to the mrc User Forum, covering new technical capabilities and features you should check out.

These new benefits are courtesy of AJAX technology and make Web application navigation even easier. And, if you're not familiar with AJAX, don't worry... m-Power and mrc-Productivity Series customers are get AJAX technology automatically, so you just have to follow a few easy steps to use it.

Here's the cool benefit:
1) Go to http://www.crazybikes.com/mrcjava/servlet/MRCWEBDEMO.I00200s and then...

2) IMPORTANT: Click on one of the customer name links on the left to see the new capabilities. See the tabs that appear at the bottom?

3) Note that each tab correlates to a different application, but the data that appears is only to the record selected. You never have to leave the Web page which makes user navigation easier, and gives them the ability to keep application data in the context of one view.

Now, here's how you can apply it: http://forums.mrc-productivity.com/tool/post/mrcuser/vpost?id=936324. (You'll need to sign in to see it.)

If you'd like some ideas on how you could use this feature, just let us know what you do, and we'll do what we can to help.

NEW: mrc's Online application development lab

We have just added a powerful new educational feature on our Web site:
mrc's new Online lab!

Try your hand at creating Java servlets in minutes to see the power for yourself!

There is nothing to download because it's all live via the Web, and you can sign up now and do it whenever you have the time (start to finish is around 45 minutes).

If you are a current mrc customer using m-Power or mrc's Web interface, you can probably already attest to the power of this lab.

One favor. We just ask that once you have completed the lab, you let us know so we can recycle your environment and make it available to others who want to try it. So, once you're done, just click here to send us an email.

To try the online lab go here: http://www.mrconlinelab.com

If you have any questions, or you run into any problems, just give me a call at 630-916-0662, or send me an email at mrc@mrc-productivity.com.

Have fun!

New n-Tier QuickFacts

A picture is worth a thousand words.

So, to keep it short, we've just posted this handy quick fact sheet on n-tier architecture including an easy-to-follow diagram to demonstrate some of the benefits it offers.

Get the n-Tier QuickFact sheet here.

Additionally, if you would like further in-depth information on n-tier architecture as it relates to Java, you can visit our new Webinar library, and check out our n-Tier Architecture presentation right at the top.

Time to close the gap between IT shop sizes and development capabilities.

This recent article from iSeriesNetwork.com reveals some interesting facts you might want to see.

One of the most interesting facts reads as follows:
"A difference in language use shows up when we compare shops with one or two programmers to those shops having more than 50 programmers. Not surprisingly, larger shops are more likely to have significant Java use and also to do some .NET programming. And they are also far more likely to have J2EE applications as part of their strategic direction for future development — 47 percent vs. 10 percent."

But, I think it's really dumb that there is such a gap. The reason for a discrepancy no longer exists in application development.

For example, this small IT shop at a big manufacturer created an entire 100% Java-based Web system for nine plants in less than 12 weeks and that INCLUDES all their training, with team members having no prior Java experience.

White Paper: Business Benefits of Modernization

This white paper may seem iSeries-centric, but it has got some great information in it that applies to every platform, and can apply to any IT department including those at ISVs. From a series of studies conducted by a consulting company, it talks about some of the surprising benefits of application modernization.

Some of the benefits covered:

Improved integration and reduced business costs

Increased sales opportunities

Improved sales

Reduced training and support costs

Read it here.

We can relate because we were faced with modernization needs of our own, and here's what we did.

Here's a library you don't need a card for...

...just a few minutes of your time whenever you have it.

This selection of mrc's online presentations are each under 15 minutes, some much less than that. Get a handle on application development technology and techniques in a matter of minutes.

You can find them at the new mrc Webinar Library.

Home (page) renovations.

We've been making some changes to our home page, to give you quicker access to the information you need.

The new layout features easier access to:

Newsletters

mrc's User Forum

Crazybikes Demo site

White Papers site

...and more...

http://www.mrc-productivity.com

If you'd like to see more changes, just let us know by clicking the comments link below.

30 Trends for 2006

CIO Magazine's 30 Trends for 2006: Pursuit of the Frictionless Business Platform

To prepare this report, CIO Magazine combed through the 13 surveys CIO Insight conducted in 2005 to identify 30 trends that will be critical in shaping our readers' priorities and careers next year.

That research shows that CIOs are now trying to create a frictionless infrastructure. Companies need to be flexible, fast and informed to survive in the "flat" global economy described by New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman. CIOs are on a mission to build a technology base that will not impede the free flow of information, the availability of applications or the malleability of business processes.

Read this article.