Macro 4 session management software delivers mobile touchscreen access to mainframe applications

Macro 4, a division of UNICOM® Global, has launched a new version of Tubes, its mainframe session management software, with a mobile-friendly interface that gives tablet and smartphone users a better experience when accessing mainframe applications on the move. The new user interface, which features tiles, bright colors and graphics to make navigation between applications easier on a mobile or touchscreen device, will be instantly familiar to users of other tile-based systems such as Windows® 10.

“Our customers told us they wanted an easier way to provide secure web and mobile access to their mainframe applications,” said Keith Banham, Mainframe R&D Manager at Macro 4. “So in addition to the ‘green screen’ 3270 and Eclipse interfaces that come as standard with Tubes, we’re giving customers a choice of two ways to access their mainframe applications in a browser. This latest interface was designed with mobile users in mind but both interfaces are completely interchangeable so users can switch around at will and find what works best for them. In either case it’s a great user experience, with simple navigation and time-saving features such as drop-down menus. Compared with a 3270 command-driven interface it is much easier to use and we’ve found that it increases productivity for everyone – even experienced mainframers.”

The Tubes session manager has comprehensive mainframe security features, including integration with external security products such as RACF®, to ensure that users can only access the applications for which they are authorized. This in-built security applies equally to 3270, Eclipse and browser access, so there is no need for companies to set up additional security systems to support web and mobile users.

“Many companies have a large number of applications they want to open up to web and mobile access, but they don’t have the time and resources to build individual web interfaces for all of them,” said Banham. “Tubes’ web and mobile interfaces provide an instant shortcut – a way of web enabling applications without any development work for the hard-pressed IT department. Companies can also make significant cost savings because they no longer have to install terminal emulation software to access mainframe applications on a PC – all you need is a browser.”

The latest features are part of an active development program focused on using session management as an enabler for modernization, as Banham explained: “Any company running multiple mainframe applications needs a session manager. We wanted to build on those core session management capabilities to deliver even more value to businesses. Web and mobile access is a big part of that. Our approach encourages companies to take a fresh look at session management and question whether what they use today is still fit for purpose.”

For IBM mainframe customers who are considering moving to a new session manager, Macro 4 can help to complete the switch within days and with minimal effort for commonly used session managers.

Tubes is a leading session management solution that provides secure, flexible, user-friendly access to mainframe applications. From a single sign-on, Tubes delivers concurrent multi-session application support. Users can switch easily from one application session to another, with no loss of context, leading to greater efficiency and productivity. The software includes a comprehensive suite of features, including a range of user interfaces (web, mobile, 3270 and Eclipse); online and batch administration capabilities; application performance monitoring; and powerful helpdesk facilities.

About Macro 4 www.macro4.com
Macro 4, a division of UNICOM Global, develops software solutions that accelerate business transformation. Macro 4’s cross-platform enterprise information management solutions make it easy for companies to go digital, personalize customer communications and unlock the value of their corporate content. Macro 4 solutions for application lifecycle management, session management and performance optimization are used by many of the world’s largest enterprises to modernize their mainframe applications and development processes.

About UNICOM® Global www.unicomglobal.com
UNICOM Global consists of more than forty (40) corporate entities encompassing a wide range of businesses across all geographic regions. With its corporate headquarters in Los Angeles, California, to offices in Illinois, Kentucky, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Texas and Virginia, throughout EMEA in the UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland and the UAE, and across Asia/Pacific with locations in Japan, China, India, Australia, Korea, Thailand, Taiwan and the Philippines. UNICOM Global offers deep in-house resources and flexible IT solutions to partners worldwide, and is continually focused on acquiring and integrating mature and growing mid-cap NASDAQ, London Stock Exchange AIM and German publically-traded companies in technology, financing, IT, real estate, and business services. Visit UNICOM’s websites for additional information about the services, products and solutions that the Company offers:

unicomglobal.com UNICOM Global – Parent organization for all UNICOM entities
unicomgov.com UNICOM Government (formerly NASDAQ: GTSI) – Government IT solutions
unicomengineering.com UNICOM Engineering (formerly NASDAQ: NEI) – Purpose-built appliance platforms
cics.com CICS.com – Portal for UNICOM’s Enterprise Software Divisions
usrobotics.com USRobotics.com – Portal for IoT, Cloud Computing and Communications Divisions
eden.com Eden – Portal for Business and Financial Services, Real Estate and Financing
unicomsi.com UNICOM Systems – Enterprise Automation and Performance Solutions
unicom.org UNICOM Science and Technology Parks
unicom-capital.com UNICOM Capital – Business and Financial Services
usr.com USR.com – Data communications products
memeo.com Memeo – Enterprise-grade Secure File Sharing for the Cloud
firetide.com Firetide – Safety and Security Solutions through wireless products
detec.com DETEC – Document composition products
softlanding.com SoftLanding Systems – IBM i and Power platform software products
macro4.com Macro 4 (formerly LONDON: MAO) – Document and Application Management
illustro.com illustro – Modernization enabling software solutions
iet-solutions.com iET Solutions – ITIL ITSM software solutions
solidDB.com solidDB – In-memory relational database management system
verofiles.com Revolutionary Cloud File Storage solution

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