New Node.js WebSmart templates speed up open-source development on IBM i.

BCD Software LLC., a Quadrant Software company and an IBM i industry leader for 40 years, has announced that WebSmart for Node.js, the newest edition of their rapid web application development solution, is now generally available following a successful beta release. WebSmart for Node.js is the industry’s first IBM i-specific, enterprise-level Node.js rapid development and deployment solution. To help grow the Node.js market, BCD is waiving the license fee with a paid support agreement for version 1 of WebSmart for Node.js.

“We’re excited by the interest in WebSmart for Node.js and are committed to supporting open-source technologies on the IBM i,” says Marcel Sarrasin, Quadrant and BCD’s VP of Marketing. “WebSmart for Node.js gives IBM i programmers another option for quickly developing high-quality desktop and mobile web applications on the i. We also offer enterprise-level support and services for Node.js.”

WebSmart for Node.js includes templates that jumpstart web and mobile application development for IBM i programmers by generating the initial HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Developers can use WebSmart for Node.js to create web applications for ecommerce, payment processing, web services, chat and more. Node.js is also known for great performance, which makes it a particularly good fit for mobile applications.

Popularity and IBM Support

IBM has supported Node.js applications on IBM i since October, 2014 and the technology continues to gain popularity on the platform. IBM i organizations may choose Node.js to attract new programmers as the traditional RPG hiring pool shrinks, or to facilitate experienced developers as they absorb new technologies.

“Node.js has shed its risk enough for IBM i shops to embrace it within business,” said Aaron Bartell, Director of IBM i Innovation for Krengeltech, in a recent IT Jungle article.

“IBM i continues to transform as a modern platform providing many open source options for modern applications and programming languages such as Node.js. New solutions leveraging these new languages can help customers transform their business applications and adopt new and differentiated technologies,” says Tim Rowe, Business Architect for Business Architect for Application Development for IBM i.

WebSmart for Node.js Features

WebSmart for Node’s templates are built with Bootstrap, a responsive, mobile-friendly framework that uses a single code base for the desktop and mobile versions of an application. The templates also use Express, the most widely-used Node.js web framework. IBM’s Node.js Toolkit for IBM i enables developers to leverage RPG resources, such as RPG programs, using XMLSERVICE, the same back-end service used in the PHP Toolkit for IBM i.

IBM i programmers will also find that Node.js application deployment is greatly simplified with WebSmart. You can easily run multiple applications on a single port, and WebSmart’s custom job handler enables load sharing and job monitoring.

Get Started with WebSmart for Node.js

BCD is waiving the license fee with a paid support agreement for version 1 of WebSmart for Node.js. WebSmart for Node.js support pricing is as follows:

• 1 seat support agreement = $995/yr
• 2 seat support agreement = $1495/yr
• 3 seat support agreement = $1795/yr

Organizations can request a download at: http://www.bcdsoftware.com/lp/websmart-node/websmart-node.php.

Support and Services

BCD’s professional services team is experienced in Node.js and first used it in 2011. They have a large team of full-time IBM i web experts who can help with any aspect of a Node.js project, including implementation, custom application development and deployment.

About WebSmart

WebSmart is proven rapid IBM i and multi-platform desktop and mobile web application development tool that is used by hundreds of organizations. WebSmart's templates generate the initial user interface (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) and server-side (PHP, RPG or JavaScript) code, producting a fully-functioning desktop or mobile web application. You can then customize your web application for your business needs in the WebSmart IDE, which includes HTML tools, syntax checking, code completion and more.

About WebSmart

WebSmart is proven rapid IBM i desktop and mobile web application development tool that is used by hundreds of organizations. WebSmart's templates generate the initial UI (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) and server-side (PHP, Node.js or RPG) code so you begin with a fully-functioning web application. You can then customize your web application for your business needs in the full-featured WebSmart IDE, which includes HTML tools, syntax checking, code completion and more.

You can download a free trial of WebSmart from http://www.bcdsoftware.com/websmartfaster.

BCD is a Quadrant Software company and one of the most successful software organizations in the IBM i marketplace. The companies have a combined 60 years in the IBM i marketplace and have successfully helped thousands of organizations worldwide modernize. Together, Quadrant and BCD help customers maximize their investment in IBM i with their industry leading web development, mobilization, spool file beautification and document distribution tools. Their customers and partners around the world are leaders in key markets such as finance, manufacturing, transportation, retail and healthcare.
Quadrant and BCD are part of the Quadrant group of companies that also includes Netlert, which develops an Avaya call center performance analysis solution, and SoftBase, which provides application testing and tuning solutions for IBM's DB2 database utilizing the OS/390 and z/OS operating systems.
For more information, please visit http://www.bcdsoftware.com and http://www.quadrantsoftware.com.