infoConnect for MuleSoft 
Integrate homegrown and commercial IBM i (AS400) based systems with leading cloud applications including SalesForce with our certified connector for MuleSoft platform.
Business Logic
Real-time bi-directional integrations
- Exclusively for IBM i (AS/400, iSeries) based systems
- Does not require IBM i expertise to leverage
- No additional tooling or infrastructure needed
- Supports CloudHub and On-Prem
Complementing Professional Services Assistance
Architectural
advisory
Middleware platform implementation
Platform and Application Support
infoConnect product implementation
System integration
Custom connector development
Enable Data-Replication Pipelines
Works with RPG and COBOL languages
- Call IBM i programs directly from MuleSoft
- Exchange messages via data queues
- Stream DB2 table changes via data queues with optional add-on CDC tool
- Backfill data and acknowledge messages
Feature Comparisons at a Glance
| InfoConnect by Infoview Systems | Other market solutions |
|---|---|
| Supports API enablement as well as data replication and green screen automation functionality when paired with infoCDC and/or infoRPA | Offers just API enablement capabilities |
| Supported by a global team of IBM i, middleware (MuleSoft, Confluent/Kafka, AWS) and integration professionals | Supported by a team of primarily IBM i professionals who may not have cross-platform experience in middleware platforms |
| Connector resides within MuleSoft platform with no performance degradation on the IBM i system directly (also provides more options for tuning API throughput) | May reside on the IBM i and cause system impact |
| Products require no additional infrastructure to leverage | May require additional infrastructure to implement |
| Connector operations do not require a background in RPG or IBM i based development | Often require at least some background in IBM i development to use and implement |
| Supports MuleSoft CloudHub and on-prem right “out of the box” | May not support middleware functionality right “out of the box” and could require custom development or multiple third-party products |
| Minimal implementation timelines – little to no training required for end customer teams who will own product operations | Can take longer to implement and often requires specialized training for owners of product operations |
| Priced quite fairly for mid-market to enterprise firms with no restrictions on transaction amounts or endpoints | Often priced for enterprise sized firms or based on transaction amounts |
Flexible Proof of Concept Models
For prospects who wish to evaluate our connector solely in-house, designing, and implementing the MuleSoft components and IBM i configuration to their specific use case, a 30-day trial license will be supplied with installation documentation. The Infoview team will be there to answer any questions and assist with configuration or troubleshooting on request.
Infoview Ownership and Implementation
Our team would implement the desired use cases including full alignment with your team’s MuleSoft and IBM i development guidelines, best practices, integration architecture review and adoption for IBM i integration, IBM i development and configuration as necessary, as well as go-live support.
The end result would entail working integrations deployed to production in addition to knowledge transfer sessions with the client team members who would take ownership of the implemented components and integrations. The benefits of this approach would be quick implementation and a solid launch point for future IBM i integration projects. In terms of duration, this would typically last 2-3 months and require a formal SOW depending on complexities and expectations. Additionally, this method would require a commercial connector license by the time the project goes live.
Common Integration Use Cases
Featured Customer Success Story
A Specialty Retailer of durable consumer goods and related services, operating over 100 stores, warehouses, and cross-docks, rapidly expanding into new geographic areas in need of modernizing their legacy ERP system.
Frequently asked questions
Looking to increase communication from us to you
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How does the Connector work?
Via a low-level IBM i library through a low-level socket integration that runs on-premise or CloudHub runtime and works with backend programs through direct call regardless of COBOL or RPG design language.
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The intent for the creation of the products
We wanted to provide MuleSoft development teams with an easy way to connect their IBM i based systems to MuleSoft without any special knowledge of IBM i. -
How is the product priced?
Pricing is based on the number of physical IBM i servers leveraged, regardless of server type (production, non-production, DR). For additional pricing and subscription information, please reach out to our team.
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infoConnect vs DB Connectors
MuleSoft DB Connectors and the infoConnect are complementary: DB connectors work with databases, read tables, update data in tables, insert/deletes data/records, or call stored procedures. The IBM i (AS/400) connector calls programs directly and works with data queues. -
Compatibility with commercial backend IBM i systems
The Connector can be used to execute business logic or exchange messages with IBM i based commercial applications. -
Limitations on the number of MuleSoft environments or IBM i LPARs leveraged with the product?
The Connector can be implemented on-prem or CloudHub and can be implemented in any number of MuleSoft environments, with no restriction on the number of logical partitions. -
How do we certify connector releases with IBM i OS updates?
Each OS update released by IBM is tested internally by our product engineering team to ensure compatibility with the connector. As of today, the connector is compatible with IBM i OS 5.4 and higher. -
How many transactions can the connector handle?
Many of our customers deal with large peak volumes and process hundreds or thousands of transactions per second leveraging our connector. The throughput of the product depends on several factors including (but not limited to) the MuleSoft application design approach, connection speed between MuleSoft runtimes and the IBM i (AS/400) servers, and the number of connections in the connection pool. -
What security comes standard with the connector?
The connector supports TLS and SSL encryption as well as standard IBM i user ID
a. Does not feature HTTP servers on the IBM i
b. As part of the product certification process, each iteration of the connector is required to undergo security review by MuleSoft
infoConnect FOR MULESOFT DEMONSTRATION
Inbound Salesforce Order Entry to IBM i (AS/400) using MuleSoft and the infoConnect
Outbound IBM i (AS/400) Order Update to Salesforce using MuleSoft and the infoConnect
Subscription Models, Delivery, and Support
- Standard:During the entirety of the subscription term, support will be provided entailing product deployment, error/bug resolution, best practice advice, as well as subsequent product releases
- Priority:Expedited incident resolution, bug fixes, and small enhancements. Unused support hours can be rolled over for the following month.
- Priority 24×7: Support engineer available for incident resolution during standard business hours and on-call rotations for all nights/weekends/holidays. Unused support hours are rolled over to the following month.
- Dedicated 24×7: A dedicated support engineer is online and ready to jump in at any point in time, day or night. Time outside incident resolution can be used for any additional project work.
A Unique Blend of IBM i (AS/400) and MuleSoft Expertise
With MuleSoft and IBM i (AS/400) expertise on the same team, we eliminate any disconnect or loss in translation between development team members. This allows leadership to work within the same project team and helps avoid the pitfalls of two teams with two separate design languages.
Connector Features
Designed to accelerate IBM i (AS/400) integrations with other components, our MuleSoft certified connector makes it easy to call IBM i programs, pass parameters and get the response directly from MuleSoft flows. Key connector features include:
- Command, program, and service program calls
- Data Queue operations (Listen, Read, Peek, and write) to support bi-directional event-driven integration use cases
- TLS/SSL support
- External structure for Data Queue read and write
- Connection timeout, keep alive, and retry
- Standard reconnection strategy and notifications in case of connection failed events
What is the plan for new releases and version updates?
Infoview Systems is constantly reviewing the functionality associated with the IBM i infoConnect suite of products, and we encourage feedback from our customers about new and updated functionality for the products that will improve customer experience.
Moving into 2022, we plan to continuously grow and evolve our IBM i and MuleSoft practice for more optimized connectivity and expanded compatibility with more service platforms on demand.
Helpful documentation and demonstration examples
User Manual
Release Notes
API Documents
License Agreement
Managed Services and Support
Demo: IBM i (AS/400) Command Calls
Product Support & Maintenance Terms
Anypoint Exchange
Helpful Demo documentation
Demo – IBM i (AS/400) Process Calls External Function
