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HOBLink J-FaceLifter Data Sheet (PDF)

Face-lifting for 3270 and 5250 Applications: Transform “Green Screens” into User-Friendly Windows Programs

Modern operating systems such as MS Windows provide a graphical user interface (GUI) that guides the user intuitively and allows for productive work with less training. With HOBLink FaceLifter, you turn you character-based host applications into user-friendly GUIs.

Product Highlights

The Benefits at a Glance

• Generates user-friendly Windows applications quickly and easily
• Combines the advantages of host applications and Windows
• Provides GUI-on-the-Fly functionality for automatic conversion of host applications
• The complexity of the host application is masked and does not confuse the user
• GUI-fies mainframe and AS/400 applications
• Allows for easy programming due to the integration of MS Visual Basic

Multifunctional

HOBLink FaceLifter is a multi-functional software consisting of two highly effective functional components:

• Conversion of alpha-numeric host applications to a graphical user interface (GUI)
• The GUI generated is saved as a Visual Basic form. This form consists of so-called HOB Controls, which handle the communication with HOBLink 3270 or HOBLink 5250. Using Visual Basic you have a great deal of flexibility in programming the forms – you can even add functionality, for example, communication with Office programs.

Converting Host Applications to GUIs

A few simple steps are all that it takes to convert the alpha-numeric display of host applications into GUI. Just use the previously recorded host screens you have created in HOBLink 3270/5250 and run the HOBLink FaceLifter to initialize the conversion. A Windows application (EXE file) is generated and – as simple as that, you can immediately start working with a host application in user-friendly GUI format.

Customized Host Applications Fast

Since HOBLink FaceLifter uses Visual Basic as an integrated tool, it offers almost unlimited possibilities. During the installation the HOB Controls are inserted as an OCX component in MS Visual Basic. Alternatively, they can be integrated into MS C++.
The handling of the HOB Controls is identical to Visual Basic. In addition, however, the HOB Controls contain integrated host properties and host methods for communication with the mainframe or AS/400.

Access to Different Host Screens

The variety of options available with HOBLink FaceLifter makes room for numerous improvements from the user’s viewpoint. For example, it’s possible to access several different host screens from one application screen. The user is not confronted with the cumbersome and complicated task of taking his data from many different sessions. He can execute any functions that are needed from one screen.

Multiple Uses, More Efficiency

Access to different host screens from one application screen is just one possible application, but it’s not all by a long shot. HOBLink FaceLifter offers you countless options which go far beyond what is possible with the standard host applications. For the user, this means more flexibility and more efficiency. You can certainly come up with your own individualized areas of application for HOBLink FaceLifter.

Client / Server Solution

Usually the installation of HOBLink 3270/5250 and Visual Basic on the same PC is a must for the communication between these two components. The Client/Server Solution, however, allows you to install HOBLink 3270/5250 on a server while Visual Basic applications are run from the data station. The communication between these two components is handled by the HOB Controls.

System Requirements:

• PC with 486 processor
• 16 MB RAM
• Windows 95, 98, NT or 2000
• MS Visual Basic 4.0 HOB Terminal Emulation
• HOBLink 3270 4.2 or higher, or HOBLink 5250 1.1 or higher

Further Information / How to Purchase

  Download User Manual

You can get further information on or purchase HOB products from any of our international offices or from HOB International Distributors & Resellers.

For technical information please contact our support department.

webmaster@hobsoft.com, Last Updated: 03-Jul-07