Save 5 Hours a Day by Integrating RPG to SQL Server, Excel, and Other Databases
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Find out how easily you can integrate data across SQL Server and Excel (among other databases) using RPG or COBOL programs. Watch the on-demand webinar on HelpSystems.com: https://www.helpsystems.com/resources/on-demand-webinars/save-5-hours-day-integrating-rpg-sql-server-excel-and-other-databases
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Save 5 Hours a Day by Integrating RPG to SQL Server, Excel, and Other Databases
- 1. All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.© HelpSystems LLC. All rights reserved. Save 5 Hours A Day by Integrating RPG to SQL Server, Excel, and Other Databases Provide Real-Time IBM i Access to Remote System Data from RPG
- 2. Save 5 Hours A Day By Integrating RPG to SQL Server, Excel, and Other Databases Your Presenter Richard Schoen Director of Document Management Technologies
- 3. Save 5 Hours A Day By Integrating RPG to SQL Server, Excel, and Other Databases • HelpSystems overview • Common use cases for IBM i data integration • RPG2SQL Integrator overview • Demo • Q&A Agenda
- 4. Save 5 Hours A Day By Integrating RPG to SQL Server, Excel, and Other Databases Flexible IT Software Solutions IT Operations Management IT Infrastructure Monitoring Cybersecurity Document & Forms Management Business Intelligence Compliance & Audit Reporting • Workload Automation & Job Scheduling • Business Process Automation • Data Backup Management • Disk Space Management • Message & Event Monitoring • Performance & Application Monitoring • Remote Monitoring & Management for MSPs • Network Monitoring • Vulnerability Assessment • Virus Protection • Identification & Access Management • Security & Integrity Monitoring • Security Policy Management • Intrusion Prevention & Detection • Encryption • Document & Image Management • Automated Process & Workflow Management • Electronic Forms Management • Signature Capture & Approval Management • Enterprise Data Access • Executive Dashboards & Reporting • Mobile Data Access • Data Warehousing • Compliance Reporting • System & Audit Reporting • SOX Compliance • HIPAA Compliance • PCI Compliance
- 5. Save 5 Hours A Day By Integrating RPG to SQL Server, Excel, and Other Databases Document Management Solution Overview
- 6. Save 5 Hours A Day By Integrating RPG to SQL Server, Excel, and Other Databases Document Management Solution Overview
- 7. Save 5 Hours A Day By Integrating RPG to SQL Server, Excel, and Other Databases Document Management Solution Overview
- 8. Save 5 Hours A Day By Integrating RPG to SQL Server, Excel, and Other Databases Document Management Solution Overview
- 9. Save 5 Hours A Day By Integrating RPG to SQL Server, Excel, and Other Databases Key Information Lives on Many Platforms Business Need Integrate data across platforms Solution: RPG2SQL Integrator • Databases across different platforms don’t talk to each other: – DB2, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Dbase • Data comes in from vendors and customers in various formats – Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, CSV Files, Flat Files • RPG2SQL Integrator brings these platforms together.
- 10. Save 5 Hours A Day By Integrating RPG to SQL Server, Excel, and Other Databases Lowering the Cost of Processing Multiplatform Data Business Need Utilize multiplatform data with IBM i apps Solution: RPG2SQL Integrator • Eliminate data replication • Stop manually merging and re-keying data • Reduce the risk of data validation mistakes • Automate the processes used to re-distribute information • Reduce the need for specialized PC business analysts to create PC formatted output in Excel and other formats • Eliminate time-consuming manual processes for uploading and reformatting data • Lower labor costs and streamline data processing and reporting
- 11. Save 5 Hours A Day By Integrating RPG to SQL Server, Excel, and Other Databases Manufacturing Use Case Business Need Manufacturing businesses run many disparate systems Solution: RPG2SQL Integrator • Use multiple systems: – ERP runs on IBM i – Shop floor data collection runs on AIX system with Oracle database • Send shop floor orders to the data collection system as they are generated on IBM i • Return information from data collection system to IBM i • Get real-time interaction between systems
- 12. Save 5 Hours A Day By Integrating RPG to SQL Server, Excel, and Other Databases Reporting and Data Visibility Business Need Consolidate and access data from multiple platforms for reporting Solution: RPG2SQL Integrator • Speed up decision-making with adequate reporting • Go beyond creating simple text reports is not enough • Give management and power users data in more complex formats • Utilize IBM i-focused skills of an internal team • Utilize existing development team resources to generate high-quality complex reporting • Take advantage of an existing data access tool for reporting
- 13. Save 5 Hours A Day By Integrating RPG to SQL Server, Excel, and Other Databases Grocery or Retail Store Use Scenario Business Need Consolidate and report on retail point-of-sale data Solution: RPG2SQL • Use multiple systems: – Accounting systems runs on IBM i – Point of Sale (POS) system runs on Windows Server and uses SQL Server database • Move transactions to IBM i at end-of-day • Merge transaction data into the accounting system • Write IBM i reports to perform daily reporting • Leverage existing core IBM i development staff to build reporting
- 14. Save 5 Hours A Day By Integrating RPG to SQL Server, Excel, and Other Databases Property Management Use Case Scenario Business Need Simplify complex government tax reporting Solution: RPG2SQL Integrator • Use multiple systems: – Accounting system runs on IBM i – Complex reporting spreadsheet template is received from state tax authority • Meet requirements to report data back using state-supplied template – Template contains multiple sheets and protected cell areas • Accumulate data for an entire year and report back to state • Stop manually re-keying information from IBM i into the spreadsheet template each month-end • Automate the entire spreadsheet generation and reporting process
- 15. Save 5 Hours A Day By Integrating RPG to SQL Server, Excel, and Other Databases Casino Executive Reporting Use Case Scenario Business Need Give the executives what they need to manage effectively Solution: RPG2SQL Integrator • Use multiple systems: – Accounting and casino systems run on IBM i • Fulfill management’s need for multi-tab complex spreadsheets for month- end and periodic reporting – Spreadsheets can’t be simply generated by an SQL query—existing RPG business logic was involved • Accumulate data in the spreadsheets across multiple tabs • Automate the entire spreadsheet generation and reporting process • Generate regular management spreadsheets using existing RPG development staff
- 16. Save 5 Hours A Day By Integrating RPG to SQL Server, Excel, and Other Databases Hospital Use Case Scenario Business Need Provide one view of patient data across systems Solution: RPG2SQL Integrator • Use multiple systems: – Hospital software and financials run on IBM i – Several other systems run on different database platforms • Interchange patient data between systems automatically • Show data from one central IBM i application • Utilize existing RPG development skill sets
- 17. Save 5 Hours A Day By Integrating RPG to SQL Server, Excel, and Other Databases What is RPG2SQL Integrator? • Use RPG and COBOL programs to read and write to any database • Support any ADO, OLEDB, or ODBC data source • Interact directly with Microsoft Excel spreadsheets • Support Excel formatting • Insert, update, and delete records • Run SQL-stored procedures • Do selective data copying or replication • Use Excel import and export commands for RPG and COBOL
- 18. Save 5 Hours A Day By Integrating RPG to SQL Server, Excel, and Other Databases Real-Time Access to SQL Server and Other Databases Business Need Interactive and batch program access to any database Solution: RPG2SQL Integrator • RPG or COBOL applications use any database with an ODBC driver • Embedded service program calls to existing RPG programs • Sub-files, interactive, and batch mode applications • Sub-second response time
- 19. Save 5 Hours A Day By Integrating RPG to SQL Server, Excel, and Other Databases Read and Write Excel Files Business Need Interactive and batch program access to Excel files Solution: RPG2SQL Integrator • RPG or COBOL applications create and use Excel spreadsheets • Embedded service program calls to existing RPG programs • Sub-files, interactive, and batch mode applications
- 20. Save 5 Hours A Day By Integrating RPG to SQL Server, Excel, and Other Databases Export from IBM i Files to Excel Business Need Quickly export IBM i data files to Excel Solution: RPG2SQL Integrator • Use Excel Export Command: SQLXLSEXP • Select any physical file to export • Select record range to export • Select field column range to export • Export field names as column headings • Append or replace Excel output file • Select worksheet name
- 21. Save 5 Hours A Day By Integrating RPG to SQL Server, Excel, and Other Databases Excel Export Command Example SQLXLSEXP INFILE(QIWS/QCUSTRPGSQ) OUTXLS('c:rjstempqcustcdt.xlsx') OUTSHEET(*ACTIVE *REPLACE) HEADER(*COLHDG) LOGMSG(*YES) HOST(*CURRENT) RCDFIRST(*FIRST) RCDLAST(*LAST) FLDFIRST(*FIRST) FLDLAST(*LAST)
- 22. Save 5 Hours A Day By Integrating RPG to SQL Server, Excel, and Other Databases Import Excel Data to IBM i Files Business Need Quickly import to IBM i data files from Excel Solution: RPG2SQL Integrator • Use Excel Import Command: SQLXLSIMP • Select spreadsheet to import • Match spreadsheet column names to PF (required) • Use first row of Excel as column names • Append or replace file data on import • Select worksheet name • Skip blank rows
- 23. Save 5 Hours A Day By Integrating RPG to SQL Server, Excel, and Other Databases Excel Import Command Example SQLXLSIMP INXLS('c:rjstempqcustcdt.xlsx') INSHEET(*ACTIVE) OUTFILE(QIWS/QCUSTRPGSQ) OUTMBR(*FIRST *REPLACE) HDRROWS(1) LOGMSG(*YES) HOST(*CURRENT) BLKROW(*SKIP)
- 24. Save 5 Hours A Day By Integrating RPG to SQL Server, Excel, and Other Databases System Requirements IBM i Server RPG Program RPG2SQL Service Program PC Server Component
- 25. Save 5 Hours A Day By Integrating RPG to SQL Server, Excel, and Other Databases System Requirements • IBM i library: V5R4 and above • RPG2SQL service programs and sample code • PC server component: Windows 7, 10, Server 2008 and 2012 • At least one PC server instance • Appropriate database ADO, ODBC, or OLEDB drivers on PC server • Microsoft Excel loaded on server (if interacting with Excel workbooks) • ILE RPG Application bound to RPG2SQL Service Program
- 27. UP NEXT... Questions and Answers Please enter your questions in the chat log
- 28. Save 5 Hours A Day By Integrating RPG to SQL Server, Excel, and Other Databases Thank You for Attending For More Information: Website: http://www.helpsystems.com/rjs Telephone: Sales: 800-328-1000 Support: +1 952-933-0609 Technical Experts: richard.schoen@helpsystems.com greg.schmidt@helpsystems.com
Editor's Notes
- Good Morning Everyone and welcome to our live webinar. Today is Thursday August 18th I’m Richard Schoen coming to you from our offices in Eden Prairie MN I’ll be the moderator today for our webinar titled: Save 5 Hours A Day by Integrating RPG to SQL Server, Excel and Other Databases This webinar will provide an introduction to our RPG2SQL integrator technology which allows customers to integrate their IBMi RPG and COBOL applications with other data sources without the re-keying of data. We have lots of information to cover today so let’s get started.
- As I mentioned I am Richard Schoen, Director of Document Management Technologies at HelpSystems. I am part of the technical solutions group at HelpSystems bringing topics like this to our customers and prospective customers. I have over 27 years of background with IBMi, Windows and Linux platforms, managing and delivering forms and documents as well as integrating IBMi and PC systems and application data.
- Our agenda today will hopefully provide a good introduction to HelpSystems, RJS and our RPG2SQL data integration solution for IBMi. First we’ll provide a quick company overview of HelpSystems and its history. Then we’ll talk about the common business reasons and use cases where businesses using IBMi need to integrate data between platforms. Then we’ll provide an overview of our RPG2SQL Integrator software. And a short demo of the RPG2SQL Integrator technology in action. We will end with a few minutes of Q&A and a couple of polling questions. Feel free to enter your questions in the chat window as we go and I will address them towards the end of the webinar. Select “All Presenters” so the questions are directed to me. We’ll also plan to complete our session in 30-40 minutes so you have plenty of time to make your next important meeting. Also todays event will be recorded and you will receive a link after the webinar to share with anyone in your organization who couldn’t attend todays session.
- HelpSystems has been in business for over 32 years providing system management, business intelligence, network and infrastructure monitoring, document management and security and audit solutions for IBMi, Windows, Linux and AIX platforms. The RJS document management and system integration products joined the HelpSystems product brand portfolio in 2014. The HelpSystems document management products focus on helping companies implement paperless process to capture, manage, deliver and secure their critical documents. A secondary area of focus has been integrating IBMi and PC system data using our various system integration technologies.
- Our solution set covers 3 core areas of a business Document Management Forms Management Process Management, which includes System and Data Integration
- Document management – This focuses around capturing and managing scanned paper documents, electronic reports from IBMi and other systems, mfg drawings, email, inbound faxes and other electronic documents such as photos, videos and more. We can manage any document that can be created in a PC format.
- Forms management – Forms management covers two different but important areas. Input forms – We can take any paper based form and turn it into an online version where data can be captured. This is a great way to capture data right away without re-keying. Output forms – generating high quality business output documents such as invoices, purchase orders, statements, bills of lading, checks and more to reduce paper usage.
- Process management, system and data integration – Our Webdocs software contains a built-in document routing system to provide the ability to electronically route documents to the right people for review and approval as well as facilitate electronic signature capture. Signatures can be captured via desktop software or web based forms that can be sent out via the web. We also offer several IBMi to PC system integrations technologies such as the RPG to SQL Integrator product which is the topic of todays webinar. RPG2SQL allows customers to easily integrate processes and data across multiple database platforms. You might be asking what does RPG2SQL has to do with document management ? We have used RPG2SQL with customers who import documents to WebDocs, but still need to update index keys into WebDocs from other databases such as Oracle or SQL Server. This is a great usage for our document management customers, but not the exact reason the product was originally created. RPG2SQL is great tool for quickly integrating IBMi applications with other databases on-the-fly for fast and easy reading, writing and updating records across platforms.
- In todays world every company has information that lives on different platforms and in different databases. Whether it’s IBMi, DB2, Oracle, MySQL, Postgres or Excel, we constantly have the need to collect and disseminate our information as efficiently as possible without re-keying information more than once if at all. Common problems for RPG developers today are: There’s not an easy way for RPG to talk to different platform databases such as: DB2, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, Postgres, Dbase, Microsoft Access Often data comes in from vendors and customers in various other file formats such as: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, CSV Files, Flat Files, etc. RPG2SQL Integrator brings RPG and the other database platforms together to get things done.
- When it comes to IBMi application integration to data on other platforms, RPG and COBOL have not always had it easy. Businesses are always looking for ways to maximize employee productivity and RPG2SQL has been around since 2002 helping customers to: Eliminate data replication, reduce time spent massaging data and merging information with IBM i-based business applications. By allowing data to be used in real-time, the time spent moving data between platforms is greatly reduced or eliminated because data can be used in place where it lives rather than moving it around constantly. Stop the re-keying of data and reduce the risk of data validation mistakes Often data has to be re-keyed, validated and updated into multiple systems. By automating the updating and retrieval of data from one or more data sources using a single RPG application, data no longer needs to be keyed more than once if at all. Data can also be validated in one place to insure data integrity as fields are updated across systems. Ex: An example of this might be a company who runs an ERP system on IBMi and a manufacturing process system on Windows that uses SQL Server. Every time the customer record is changed on IBMi, the corresponding fields in the Windows manufacturing system can be validated and updated immediately where appropriate. This keeps both customer master files in sync at all times. Automate the manual processes used to re-distribute information If your reporting processes live on IBMi or Windows and data needs to be aggregated in one database such as DB2 or SQL Server each night for processing, your business can reduce the need for specialized business analysts to create PC formatted output in Excel and other formats. If your team has strong PC reporting skills already, utilize those skills for report writing. If your team writes reports on IBMi using tools such as RPG, Query/400 or our SEQUEL or Showcase products, take advantage of those skillsets. You can also eliminate time-consuming and cumbersome manual processes for uploading and reformatting Excel data to IBMi. Lower labor costs and streamline data processing and reporting At the end of the day products such as RPG2SQL have been created to improve data accuracy while saving significant time for employees so they can focus their time better servicing customers.
- Let’s talk about a few use cases. Manufacturing businesses run many different systems to provide product manufacturing assistance, order tracking, shipment of product and more. Often the ERP systems for these companies are IBM i based and need access to data on other platforms. In this case the customer needed a way to send shop floor orders to an AIX based system from IBMi and return the information to IBM i via real-time database interactions. Business Need Manufacturing businesses run many disparate systems Solution: RPG2SQL Integrator ERP runs on IBM i Shop floor data collection runs on AIX system with Oracle database Send shop floor orders to the data collection system as they are generated on IBM i Return info from data collection system to IBM i Get real-time interaction between systems
- As mentioned before many businesses need to be able to consolidate and access data from multiple platforms for reporting and other daily metrics. It’s often a good idea to consolidate the data in a single database to make report generation processes much easier to deal with. This allows a business to maximize the use of their existing internal report development skills whether IBMi or PC focused. Business Need Consolidate and access data from multiple platforms for reporting Solution: RPG2SQL Integrator Speed up decision-making with adequate reporting Creating simple text reports is not enough Management and power users need data in more complex formats Internal team skills may be IBM i-focused Utilize existing development team resources to generate high-quality complex reporting Teams might already use a data access tool such as Sequel for reporting
- Retail businesses often run point of sale systems where the point of sale data lives on a Windows based system database. In this use case the customer needed to aggregate data centrally to IBMi for accounting, reporting and other metrics analysis. Most of their reporting expertise was centered on IBM i. They were able to poll their SQL Server database daily and extract data to the IBMi and then run their reports locally using existing report processes. This saved significant development time since they didn’t need to hire PC developers to build reports. Business Need Consolidate and report on retail point-of-sale data Solution: RPG2SQL Accounting systems runs on IBM i Point of Sale (POS) system runs on Windows Server and uses SQL Server database Move transactions to IBM i at end-of-day Merge transaction data into the accounting system Write IBM i reports to perform daily reporting Leverage existing core IBM i development staff to build reporting
- Customer owns several properties and has to do monthly and annual tax reporting to the state of Michigan. The state mandated they use a specific complex Excel workbook template with multiple sheets. This spreadsheet typically took a few days at month end to complete and the chance for errors during creation was quite high. Also data needed to be aggregated into the spreadsheet throughout the year. By eliminating the manual data entry and automating the reporting process they greatly improved their government reporting capability by automating Excel from their RPG apps. Business Need Simplify complex government tax reporting Solution: RPG2SQL Integrator Accounting system runs on IBM i Complex reporting spreadsheet template is received from state tax authority Data MUST be reported back using state-supplied template Template contains multiple sheets and protected cell areas Need to accumulate data for entire year and report back to state Users were manually re-keying information from IBM i into the spreadsheet template each month-end Automate the entire spreadsheet generation and reporting process
- Customer needed to do complex daily executive reporting involving existing RPG application code and some interesting business rules. They loved their Excel spreadsheets and needed to accumulate data into their workbooks for time sensitive daily, weekly and monthly decision making. By automating their Excel processes they are able to concentrate on the areas of the business that need focus. Business Need Give the executives what they need to manage Solution: RPG2SQL Integrator Accounting and casino systems run on IBM i Management wants multi-tab complex spreadsheets for month-end and periodic reporting Spreadsheets can’t be simply generated by an SQL query—existing RPG business logic was involved Accumulate data in the spreadsheets across multiple tabs Automate the entire spreadsheet generation and reporting process Regularly generate management spreadsheets using existing RPG development staff
- This is a hospital example where the hospital had medical record information residing on several different platforms. They needed a tool to be able to integrate data from other platforms with their home grown IBM i medical record system. They were able to keep their patient records in sync across multiple platforms by integrating their databases in real-time. Business Need Provide one view of patient data across systems Solution: RPG2SQL Integrator Hospital software and financials run on IBM i Several other systems run on different database platforms Need to interchange patient data between systems automatically Show data from one central IBM i application Utilize existing RPG development skill sets
- So what exactly is RPG2SQL Integrator ? RPG2SQL is middleware software that allows any RPG and COBOL program to interface with any database directly in real-time fashion. RPG and COBOL programs can read and write to any database that has an available driver Supports any ADO, OLEDB, or ODBC data source RPG apps can interact directly with Microsoft Excel spreadsheets to read and write data Supports Excel formatting Insert, update, and delete records in databases Apps can also run stored procedures Programs can do very selective data copying or replication by using specific SQL select statements RPG2SQL also contains a couple of Excel import and export CL commands to import Excel to Physical files and vice versa. Examples of types of processes that can be created with RPG2SQL: -Interactive or batch mode RPG apps that can read or write data in real-time as needed to keep databases in sync or present data from multiple databases in a single view. -Batch processes that query and transfer records based on selection ranges and are scheduled to run on a regular basis. -Validation processes to simply validate record existence in a SQL Server or other database. There are all kinds of useful applications that can be developed with RPG2SQL integrator
- For remote database access both batch and interactive subfile applications can be quickly enabled by binding the RPG2SQL service program into their applications and borrowing includes and source from any of our sample applications. Business Need Interactive and batch program access to any database Solution: RPG2SQL Integrator RPG or COBOL applications can use any database with an ODBC driver Embed service program calls into existing RPG programs Subfiles, interactive, and batch mode applications Sub-second response time
- For Excel spreadsheet access both batch and interactive subfile applications can also be quickly enabled by binding the RPG2SQL service program into their applications and borrowing includes and source from any of our sample applications. Business Need Interactive and batch program access to Excel files Solution: RPG2SQL Integrator RPG or COBOL applications can create and use Excel spreadsheets Embed service program calls into existing RPG programs Subfiles, interactive, and batch mode applications
- For a quick start to exporting IBMi table data to Excel, the export CL command allows users to specify any physical file to export to a spreadsheet format. This command exports the entire selected file so if this command is used in production applications you would normally create a temporary file and then use the export command to export data to the selected spreadsheet file. If you need more selective exporting you would typically use the RPG2SQL service program in conjunction with an RPG application to write to or update the spreadsheet file. Business Need Quickly Export IBM i Data Files to Excel Solution: RPG2SQL Integrator Excel Export Command: SQLXLSEXP Select any physical file to export Select record range to export Select field column range to export Export field names as column headings Append or replace Excel output file Select worksheet name
- Here’s a quick look at the Excel Export command. --------------------------------------------------------- This is an example of SQLXLSEXP command. Specify an input IBMi database file. Output excel file name, Output sheet name Header information Whether to log information during export Where is the RPG2SQL PC component installed Record range Field range
- For a quick start to importing an Excel workbook to an IBMi table, the import CL command imports the selected table based worksheet to a physical file where the field names in the spreadsheet match the field names in the physical file. The destination physical file must already exist with matching fields to the spreadsheet file. Normally I would recommend importing to a temporary table with this command and then use an RPG application to check the data before it gets moved into a production table. If you need more selective importing you would typically use the RPG2SQL service program in conjunction with an RPG application to read the spreadsheet file. Business Need Quickly Import to IBM i Data Files from Excel Solution: RPG2SQL Integrator Excel Import Command: SQLXLSIMP Select spreadsheet to import Spreadsheet column names must match PF Use first row of Excel as column names Append or replace file data on import Select worksheet name Skip blank rows
- Here’s a quick look at the Excel Import command. --------------------------------------------------------- This is an example of SQLXLSIMP command. Specify an input IBMi excel file. Output IBMi database table Input sheet name Header row information Whether to log information during export Where is the RPG2SQL PC component installed What to do with blank rows ?
- Let’s quickly review system requirements. You will load the IBMi library on your system. You will review our RPG code samples and then use the RPG2SQL API and bind the service program to your applications. The PC server component gets installed on a PC or Server along with the appropriate database drivers needed to access your database of choice. I recommend each RPG developer who will be testing should have a copy of the PC component on their desktop because they can run it in debug mode for testing and troubleshooting apps and database connectivity issues.
- Summary of system requirements IBM i library – V5R4 and above (RJSRPGSQL) RPG2SQL Service Programs and Sample Code PC Server Component - Windows (Windows 7,10 and Windows Server 2008 and 2012) At least one PC Server instance is required Appropriate database ADO, ODBC or OLEDB drivers on PC Server Microsoft Excel loaded on server if interacting with Excel workbooks ILE RPG Application gets created and bound to RPG2SQL Service Program
- Now we’re going to take a quick look at a few live examples of integrating RPG2SQL integrator with some sample RPG applications. -Quick intro sample – Write and then read an Access database (SQTEST01/SQTEST08) -Subfile sample to read data from SQL Server in real-time (SQTEST24) -We will then take a look at an example where we read data from a spreadsheet. (SQTEST29) -The we will look at the Excel import and export commands (SQLXLSIMP and SQLXLSEXP) to illustrate import and export of data ADDLIBLE RJSRPGSQL ADDLIBLE RJSDEVHS ---------------------------------------------------- RSQ001 – Read QCUSTCDT recs and add to QCUSTCDT SQL ServerSQTEST08 – Read MS Access Data to PF and Display RSQ002 - Read QCUSTCDT SQL Server and add to QCUSTRPGSQ SQTEST24 – SQL Server subfile query application. SQTEST29 – Read Excel into PF SQLXLSEXP / SQLXLSIMP- Import and Export Excel. // Populate SQL server table from QCUSTCDT RSQ001 SQLSERVER('rjstestvm01\SQLEXPRESS2') SQLDATABSE('pubs') SQLUSER('sa') SQLPASS('rjssoftware') // Read SQL server table QCUSTCDT to QCUSTRPGSQ RSQ002 SQLSERVER('rjstestvm01\SQLEXPRESS2') SQLDATABSE('pubs') SQLUSER('sa') SQLPASS('rjssoftware') // Run SQL Server subfile query application. SQTEST24 SQLSERVER('rjstestvm01\SQLEXPRESS2') SQLDATABSE('pubs') SQLUSER('sa') SQLPASS('rjssoftware') // Read Excel Spreadsheet into File SQTEST29 // Export specified file to Excel file. SQLXLSEXP INFILE(QIWS/QCUSTCDT) OUTXLS('C:\RJSTEMP\qcustcdt.xlsx') // Import Excel file and use first row for headings/field names SQLXLSIMP INXLS('c:\rjstemp\qcustcdt.xlsx') OUTFILE(QIWS/QCUSTCDTIN) OUTMBR(*FIRST *ADD) HDRROWS(1)
- OK, now we’re going to take time for a little Q&A. I will also show a poll with a couple of questions we can share with the group. When entering questions, please remember to Select “All Presenters” so your questions are directed to me. Why is RPG2SQL different or better than a few other products I’ve seen ? Number 1 reason is that we don’t use Java so your application code never has to launch a Java application as it does with other RPG database access applications I’ve seen. We use a high speed, lightweight socket server program wrapper to communicate to our PC server component which provides lightning fast database connectivity. RPG2SQL also allows you to read and write directly to Excel files by using Excel, not a Java wrapper that simulates Microsoft Excel and can run into memory limits that blow up your applications. That means that just about anything Excel can do to manipulate a spreadsheet file can be done from an RPG application without any overhead on your IBMi. All the real work is done via the PC server component. How fast can I expect my database access to be ? If your network connectivity is good and your database is already tuned and indexed well, then database access can be sub-second. RPG applications should see similar response times to their PC or .Net counterparts when accessing data because RPG2SQL uses the same database drivers as PC applications. Does RPG2SQL have a limit to which databases it can access ? As long as there is an ODBC or ADO driver available, RPG2SQL can integrate with that database. This software is a great way to allow RPG applications to be an ODBC client to other databases and become an equal client server citizen. Is Excel required to integrate with Excel data ? Yes, as mentioned previously our Windows server component interfaces with Microsoft Excel so that you get the full range of Excel automation when you’re reading or writing Excel files. Can I install the PC Server component on my SQL Server-Windows server ? While the PC server component can be installed on the actual SQL Server box we generally recommend giving the PC component its own Windows VM or server box. The component doesn’t use a lot of storage but depending on the data load you’re placing on the server you could potentially slow down the SQL server machine. Isolating the PC server to its own PC or VM minimizes the risk of messing with your production SQL Server. Can I install the PC server component on PC desktops ? For development and testing we definitely recommend installing the PC server component on a developers PC so that they can develop, test and debug their application code including interactions with Excel and other databases without constantly moving back and forth between a desktop and server machine via remote desktop or other remote access means. Can I have a process update an IBMi table and then update the corresponding SQL Server table right after to keep data in sync ? This is a great usage to keep master files such as customer master, vendor master, employee master or other tables in sync on multiple databases. A change gets made on the master database and then an RPG2SQL call is made to the secondary database to update information as well. The databases might be similar in layout or completely different but they can be kept completely up to date.
- Thanks for attending our webinar today. We hope you learned some helpful information to allow your company to start thinking about real-time integration of your important IBM i, SQL Server, Oracle, Excel and other platform data with your IBM i applications. If you have any additional questions on our forms, document management or other system integration technology, feel free to reach out to our sales team, Greg Schmidt or me and we will be happy to address your questions or provide a more in-depth technical demo. The RPG2SQL Integrator can also be quickly downloaded and installed for a 30-day trial using your own systems and data. You will also receive a link to this recording so you can share this webinar with those in your company who could not attend today’s session. Again thanks for attending todays webinar. Have a great day and enjoy the rest of your week. Pause for a moment. Stop screen sharing Save polling answers.