Kansas Department of Transportation Selects Xbridge Host Data Connect for Real-time Intranet Access to Mainframe Data.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

LOS GATOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 9, 2003

The Kansas Department of Transportation has selected Xbridge Host Data Connect(TM) for an intranet application that gives the department real-time access to purchase-order data on the mainframe.

Host Data Connect from Xbridge Systems enables Windows(R) applications and browsers to securely access corporate data in System/390(R) and z/OS(R) mainframes, and to present that information in the format of the requesting application (in this case, Adobe(R) Form Server), all in real time. Host Data Connect supports both XML and ASP.NET, capabilities that are essential for the success of this application.

"This new application enables us to get current information on the status of purchase requests from our mainframe," said Mike Branam, information resource manager of the Kansas Department of Transportation. "The Xbridge implementation provides this real-time, on-demand capability at a fraction of the cost and time we had been spending on our legacy application, which did not meet our needs."

Previously, the staff had been using an enterprise data-analytics application to get the purchase authority documents from the forms warehouse over the intranet. However, there were definite limitations with the implementation, including long delays, "runaway" requests and out-of-date information.

With Xbridge Host Data Connect, the staff gets the real-time information they need, when they need it, from the Database 2 (DB2) table and several Virtual Storage Access Method (VSAM) files on the department's mainframe. The Web-services application utilizes Xbridge's ASP.NET and XML capabilities to access and process the data, and present it to the user in HTML.

"In tight economic times, government entities need to leverage existing technologies to improve their service," said Ron Hankison, president and CEO of Xbridge Systems. "This implementation gives the department the real-time capability they need very cost-effectively. We are pleased to help the Kansas DOT save time and money, while improving their productivity."

About Xbridge Systems

Xbridge Systems develops and markets high-performance software that enables critical corporate data to be shared instantaneously between OS/390 and z/OS mainframes and desktop open-systems environments. More information on the Los Gatos, California-based company is available by calling 866-356-1515, emailing [e-mail] or going online to www.xbridgesystems.com.

Xbridge Host Data Connect is a trademark of Xbridge Systems. Other company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.