LongRange, the only native mobile application builder for the IBM i, garnered significant attention at the "App-i-Days Mobile Application Showcase" held during the National iSystems User Group 2012 International Power Conference held in London on the 8^th November. Showcase participants from around the world took part in a live "'data challenge," where vendors demonstrated their ability to read data from an IBM i DB2 database, and then display and further enrich the data on Smartphone and tablet devices.

LANSA was confident in taking on this challenge by showcasing LongRange as the world's only purpose-built native app builder for the IBM i. The response from delegates was overwhelming with scenes of amazement that native mobile apps could be built so easily using only regular RPG skills. With LongRange there is no need to learn HTML, CSS, JavaScript or any other complex languages, or to add layers of overhead by embedding additional third-party frameworks like PhoneGap. LANSA was the only vendor to demonstrate native apps for Apple and Android devices even though, due to a delay in receiving the source material, LANSA was given less time to prepare than other vendors. Total elapsed development time was just two days.

LongRange apps written using RPG can be deployed on both Apple and Android mobile devices from a single code-base. There is no compromise in the user experience because the apps are native. The framework automatically handles optimal rendering for different screen sizes and orientation, something that can be frustrating to accommodate with web-only solutions. Support for integration with device-side apps and services like GPS, Camera, SMS, Phone, Calendar and eMail are all fully integrated with over 80 useful programming examples shipped with the product.

In addition to the showcase, LANSA's CEO Martin Fincham presented a popular session on 'Mobile Development Options' that compared and contrasted the differences between Web, Hybrid and Native apps. This topic was clearly top-of-mind for many delegates, as the session quickly became standing room only. This and other conference sessions are available for download from the NiSUG web site: http://bit.ly/RGnNEe.

LongRange is available for download on a free 45-day trial from www.longrangemobile.com or visit the Apple App Store or Google Play for more information. LongRange University is the on-line resource for IBM i developers wanting to learn and practice mobile development skills. Enroll for free at www.longrangeuniv.com.

LANSA is a low-code, high-productivity software development platform for mobile, web, and desktop applications. Visual LANSA's unique low-code development platform, system integration, and digital transformation technologies reduce hand-coding, support multiple languages, and empower development teams to build applications up to 10 times faster. More than 8,000 organizations in 65 countries use LANSA's platform to develop, maintain, and integrate their business applications, ensuring a consistent look and feel with minimal coding. Customers include JPMorgan Chase, Kawasaki, TruGreen, Vistar, and Walt Disney, among others. LANSA is a division of Idera, Inc.