IBM i shops and ISVs that rely on Seagull‘s LegaSuite software to extend and modernize their 5250 applications will see a host of new capabilities in version 6, which the Rocket Software subsidiary announced last week. The new version introduces new reporting, testing and workflow modules; extensive integration with the Eclipse development environment; change management improvements; and a faster new runtime engine. RPG Open Access, which initially was on the drawing board for version 6, was dropped by Seagull due to lackluster customer demand.

LegaSuite version 6 includes a number of new features that had been requested by existing

Crossroads Systems yesterday unveiled a new release of its SPHiNX data protection solution that should help both large and small customers. Smaller shops will benefit from a smaller, less expensive version of the virtual tape library (VTL) appliance, while larger vendors will appreciate the expansion of the largest VTL device to 35 TB of native storage. Support for SAS disk connectivity will be useful for connecting to the latest Power Systems environment.

Crossroads’ SPHiNX is a line of disk-based backup devices that protect data on IBM i, Windows, and Linux servers, as well as PCs. The offering functions as a

You knew it was just a matter of time before cyber criminals began targeting smart phones–not just writing the occasional bit of malware, but really targeting mobile platforms with purpose. That time has now arrived, according to IBM‘s X-Force security organization, which issued a new report last week that warned of the coming explosion of security problems in mobile devices.

The number of mobile exploits observed in the wild is on pace to double this year compared to 2010 numbers, X-Force says in its 2011 Mid-Year Trend and Risk Report released last week. At the beginning of 2010, malware

Vision Solutions yesterday unveiled Double-Take Share 5.0, a new version of the database replication that previously was known as Vision Replicate1. The release brings enhancements in the area of SQL Server support, enhanced flat file support, and expanded support for data types.

It has been some time since we’ve seen an enhancement to Double-Take Share, a database replication tool that supports all major databases, including DB2/400, DB2 LUW, DB2 for z/OS, IBM’s Informix, Oracle‘s eponymous database, Sybase ASE, and Teradata‘s database. Before Vision changed the name of the product to Double-Take Share following the completion of its $242

Attunity last week unveiled new data replication software that supports most major databases, including DB2/400, DB2 for LUW and z/OS, SQL Server, Oracle‘s database, and NonStop SQL/MP. Called Attunity Replicate, the new software is designed to support an array of data replication tasks, and features a Web-based console that’s intended to simplify setup and management.

Attunity developed its new replication software to fit a variety of customer demands, especially as they pertain to moving data to and from Web-based (or “cloud”) sources. The company touts the product’s scalability, as well as its adaptability to handle different replication tasks.

Attunity

IBM‘s entry-level version of the WebSphere Application Server got a little more robust last week when the company announced it added support for the latest Java Enterprise Edition (JEE) environment with WebSphere Application Server Community Edition (CE) version 3.

WAS CE is a lightweight and free Web application server designed for running non-critical or departmental-level Java applications. The software, which IBM supports for a fee, is based on Apache‘s open source Geronimo Java application server. IBM got a leg up on the Geronimo business and the development of WAS CE with its acquisition of Gluecode Software in 2005.

AquaFold last week unveiled a major new version of its database query and administration software. With Aqua Data Studio version 10, the software gains enhancements in the areas of security, performance, and support for new source control systems.

Aqua Data Studio is a Java-based utility designed to provide programmers, database developers, and systems administrators with a single, consistent interface to work with all major database management systems, including DB2/400. The product’s GUI lets users administer, explore, and query their databases and create SQL scripts. It offers an entity relationship modeler; brings comparison tools for analyzing differences in files, directory structures,

Liaison Technologies last week announced that its Electronic Commerce Server (ECS) software can now run on non-Windows platforms. The product will run on Linux and Unix operating systems–but, alas, not IBM i.

Liaison, which acquired IBM i software developer nuBridges six months ago, is a specialist in developing tools for managing, distributing, and securing data. Its ECS software distributes a variety of types of data across many different protocols and also provides managed file transfer (MFT) capabilities. When coupled with Liaison’s data translator, called Delta, the pair provides full EDI translation and enterprise application integration (EAI) capabilities.

ECS version

Canam Software Labs, a developer of tools to retrofit COBOL applications with XML connectivity, recently announced that its flagship XML Thunder tool can now speak JSON, the standard language for communicating with JavaScript applications.

Mississauga, Ontario-based Canam Software created XML Thunder to simplify the task of creating new XML integration points for existing COBOL and C code running on IBM i, z/OS, Unisys, HP Nonstop, and Unix platforms. The software features a GUI design tool and wizard-based guides, and automatically generates COBOL and C code that’s mapped to XML documents or simple object access protocol (SOAP) statements.

Now, you

U.K.-based Power Systems reseller Life IT will distribute CYBRA‘s MarkMagic and EdgeMagic software products in the U.K. and Europe, CYBRA announced last week.

Life IT is a IBM premier business partner that specializes in IBM i technology, and also sells System p, Domino, and Microsoft products.

In July, Life IT acquired Professional Software Solutions, an IT solutions provider that owned European distribution rights to CYBRA’s MarkMagic and EdgeMagic and implemented barcode and radio frequency identification (RFID) solutions.

Now that CYBRA and Life IT have validated the new partnership, Life IT intends to continue PSS’ position serving the supply chain