1. Technology Strategy Update
Presenter: Frans Pelser
Date: 12 March 2013

2. Current Integrator Technology Stack
Integrator 1/2/3 – Oracle RDBMS 11g Rel. 1, Oracle AS 10.3g
Back end systems
Oracle Forms 10g
Oracle Reports 10g (limited)
Java – XML
PRO*C
PL/SQL
iEnabler systems
PL/SQL*Cartridge (DB Packages) with cascading style sheets
JSP
HTML/JAVA – XML

3. Motivation for Change in Technology
Our goal is to :
maximise the usability of the system
improve and/or enable the use of web-, cloud- and mobile devices
while securing your investment in our product

4. Other benefits that we want to realize for our clients
The use of a lightweight, low maintenance client tier (Web Browser)
Closer alignment of the look- and feel of the Integrator Back-Office and iEnabler Systems to Industry Standards
Improved developer productivity that should translate to higher volumes of new functionality (user group requests) being taken to market earlier
Future availability of developer skills
Possible savings on the licensing cost of infrastructure over the longer term (Application Server Licensing)

5. Recap of the ITS approach
Requirements for the technology and in particular the development tools were set
A number of Proof of Concept exercises with different Technologies and Tools were conducted
The results were evaluated against the requirements

6. Technology Strategy Committed to a Three Tier Architecture with
Database Tier: Oracle
Stays as it currently is
Middle Tier: Java EE with Java Server Faces
Oracle Weblogic Server to replace Oracle Internet Application Server
Adopt the “Application Development Framework (ADF)” as our Java Framework and use jDeveloper as Integrated Development Environment.
ADF Taskflows will eventually replace the current Forms and iEnabler programs.
Client Tier: Web Browser in a PC or Mobile Device

7. Architecture Comparison
Database
Oracle RDBMS (Std Ed) 11g Rel. 1
Oracle RDBMS (Std Ed)
Middleware
Oracle AS 10.3g
Back-Office Systems
Oracle Forms 10g
Oracle Reports 10g (limited)
Java – XML
PRO*C
PL/SQL
iEnabler systems
PL/SQL*Cartridge & cascading style sheets (extensive use)
JSP
HTML/JAVA – XML
Oracle Weblogic Suite
ADF Taskflows
Reporting Tools – to be investigated
PL/SQL*Cartridge & cascading cascading style sheets (limited use)
Client
Web Browser
Java Runtime (E.g. Jinitiator)

8. System Architecture

9. How will it be done
ADF Taskflows will replace Forms Programs and PL*SQL - iEnabler packages
Integrator 4 will contain some ADF Taskflows and some Forms – programs
Note that the Look-and-Feel of the ADF Task Flows will differ from the Forms programs
Oracle Weblogic Suite has containers for Forms and Reports, providing capabilities to run Forms and Reports as well as ADF Taskflows
Integration between ADF Taskflows and the existing ITS Integrator Technologies to be fine tuned.
The cost will be embedded in your support fees
Done over a number of releases
Assurance of security of your investment in ITS

10. The Road Map (1) ITS Integrator 3 development has been finalized
Now entering BETA testing phase
R&D Team’s attention for the following 3 months divided between
Wrapping up Integrator 3 (Finalising documentation / handing over)
Defining the scope for Integrator 4 along with the ITS Directors
Research and Development
Integration between Forms / iEnablers and ADF Task Flows
Menu Driver to be an ADF Task Flow, Back-Office and iEnabler menu similar.
Back-Office user authentication not exclusively through Oracle Internet Directory (OID), other mechanisms are also possible
It is also possible to use the same mechanism for iEnabler user authentication.
Technical challenges (User configuration in ADF Task flows for Document Storage, Notes and Entry Points)
User Interface- and Usability Standards

11. The Road Map (2)
In deciding the scope for Integrator 4, we will attempt to solve user / user group requests with the introduction of the new technology
From the System Owner’s perspectives, most of the issues (proposals) is around how users interact with the system
Formal development to start by 01 July 2013
ITS plan to communicate later in 2013 when the Integrator 4 (The first release with the new technology) will become available
Attend session 65 “Oracle Fusion Middleware” for more information to assist your institution to prepare.

12. Conclusion
We believe that through our Technology Strategy, we will be able to achieve our goal to :
greatly improve the usability of the system
improve and/or enable the use of web-, cloud- and mobile devices
while securing your investment in our product  

13. Disclaimer
The information, comments and material presented in this presentation are provided for information purposes only. The presentation is not addressing all possible technical or business aspects and does not claim to be complete or exhaustive.
ITS reserves the right to change its business or product development plans as circumstances dictate.
This document may not be reproduced or distributed without the written permission of ITS Holdings (Pty) Ltd.

14. Thank you