Gnosis NV, the Antwerp, Belgium-based developer of the Sequelink client-server software, has added a version of its Sequelink Engine interface designed specifically to improve SQL-based client communication with transaction processing applications that use the IBM Corp AS/400 as a server. Sequelink AS/400 Application Server works by by-passing IBM’s own SQL interface to send statements directly to the database itself via small customised routines that can be written in languages such as Cobol or RPG. A spokesman for the company said that, depending on the type of transaction processing required, access time between the AS/400-based host application and the client end could be cut by a factor of between five and ten. The Sequelink range supports Windows 3.0, Apple Macintosh, OS/2 and Unix workstations at the front-end. Gnosis said it developed the product after a number of existing Sequelink Engine customers particularly banks – said SQL-based communication with the AS/400 for intensive transaction processing applications was too slow. Sequelink AS/400 Application Server ships at the end of the month, with prices ranging between $5,500 and $110,600 depending on the number of users, for both Europe and the US.
