New Generation Software (NGS), developers of business intelligence (BI) solutions, recently introduced the NGS Software Developer Kit (SDK) to jump-start companies’ deployment of a comprehensive query, reporting, mobile BI, and Web analytics solution. After testing interest in the NGS SDK offer at a few small conferences, the company has decided to extend the offer to other IBM i customers who may be unsure of their BI needs and want a virtually no-risk way to experiment, gather user feedback, and set priorities. 

“BI and reporting needs are very personal and often it’s very difficult for developers to know what business users want and where they’ll realize the biggest ROI until the users can see and react to meaningful prototypes," says Bernard Gough, president and CEO of New Generation Software.

"It’s nearly impossible to get a budget approved without that type of interaction. We want the NGS SDK, with its $475 license fee, to be the toolset any IBM i customer can afford to bring in house and use as their BI project catalyst. This is live product, not a trial license, so people can feel comfortable putting what they create into production,” says Gough. The NGS SDK gives a single IBM i developer the ability to create and deliver graphical, on-demand Web reports and other popular output formats that can be viewed on PC’s, smartphones, and tablets, as well as distributed via email and FTP. 

Figure 1: Diagram shows basic components of NGS SDK business intelligence solution.

“The NGS SDK is a tremendous door opener for many IT professionals or power users in small shops and for independent consultants who support multiple IBM i clients and have executives requiring critical, real-time information in easy to run and view formats, including on today’s mobile technology,” says Gough. 

The NGS SDK includes one concurrent license of IQ Server, NGS-IQ’s 5250 query developer, administrator and Web query interface and one Windows seat license of IQ Client, NGS-IQ’s desktop query and Web report development module. NGS provides 90 days of software maintenance, free Web-based education, and live walk-throughs to get companies started. Users can also access NGS’ 40-plus hours of on-demand educational video. Toll-free and online support is included to assist with installation and set-up when needed. 

Figure 2: Users can choose either the Web interface or 5250 screen version.

With over 25,000 IBM i users representing virtually every industry and company size worldwide, NGS has developed high performance, field-proven software solutions since 1982. NGS-IQ is a versatile, scalable BI suite designed exclusively for the IBM i. NGS’ other product line, The Concert Series, is a modular financial accounting system including General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, and Human Resources that can be easily interfaced to custom and third-party business applications. NGS is a Premier IBM Business Partner and participant in the IBM i Solution Edition program which provides companies who license NGS-IQ to run on selected POWER7 server models with an opportunity to reduce their POWER7 hardware acquisition cost by substantial discounts. For more information, visit www.NGSI.com.