New Tool Provides "Graphical Integration" of R/3 With Other Applications

Mercator for R/3 Incorporates SAP's Application Link Enabling (ALE)
Technology

Wilton, Connecticut, September 17, 1995 A new system to link SAP's R/3 with
other applications was announced today at SAPPHIRE '95 in Phoenix, Arizona
by TSI International. Mercator for R/3, a graphical data transformation
tool, provides direct transformation between R/3 interface formats and any
user application or data structure, without writing code. This can result
in significant savings in the time and expense of integrating R/3 within
multi-application environments.

Mercator for R/3 is based on SAP's Application Link Enabling (ALE)
architecture for application-to-application connectivity. It is the first
data mapping product to support the ALE architecture. 

R/3 interface formats, known as intermediate documents, or IDocs, are
created automatically by Mercator for R/3 in graphical form. Mapping
between IDocs and other application formats is done graphically using a
simple Windows drag-and-drop interface. Map execution can take place in
either the R/3 environment (UNIX NT, etc.) or the user application
environment. Map execution can be on demand, based on an event, or based
on a pre-defined schedule. 

The ability to share information in an R/3 environment, including
synchronization with other applications, is a key objective for R/3 users.
With Mercator for R/3, information sharing is possible through an entirely
graphical approach, eliminating the need for programming. In addition to
application linking, TSI's offering provides R/3 connectivity  to
databases, electronic commerce standards, including X12 EDI, EDIFACT, and
industry formats such as HL7 for healthcare. 

Graphical Object Repository

Graphical descriptions of all interface formats, including IDocs, are
maintained in a Graphical Object Repository. The Repository provides a
single point of control for application integration using Mercator for
R/3. It enables mapping between and among any combination of data
descriptions within the Repository. 

Creation of graphical versions of all IDocs in Release 3.0 of R/3 is
automatic, a key feature of Mercator for R/3. IDocs can contain many data
fields and the automatic generation of graphical versions greatly
simplifies the process of interfacing R/3 to other applications. Automatic
creation of graphical file descriptions is also provided for COBOL copy
books and ODBC databases, as well as other data structures where mete data
exists. 

This new offering is based on TSI's Mercator technology, a client/server
tool for data transformation. Mercator is now in wide use for electronic
commerce data translation and mapping, legacy system conversion, and
creation of custom data bridges. 

TSI An Early Participant in ALE Certification

"Mercator's strength as a data mapping product, and its ability to execute
on the major platforms for R/3, make it well suited for ALE," noted Connie
Galley, TSI president. "We have been an active participant in SAP's
certification activities for ALE, and expect to play an important role in
the market ALE will create." 

Mercator for R/3 is now in early release. Pricing for Mercator for R/3
varies by platform and choice of options. Typical configurations are
expected to be in the $40-60,000 range. 

TSI International is a leading supplier of software and services focused on
delivering business solutions for application integration. TSI products
include software gateways for translating and mapping data among
applications, advanced systems for EDI management, and pre-built desktop
solutions for entire electronic trading communities. Thousands of
organizations worldwide use TSI software to conduct business
electronically. 

TSI International
45 Danbury Rd
Wilton, CT 06897
203-761-8600,  fax 203-762-9677
 
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