IBM and Zend have been working very hard to deliver a new Open Source toolkit called XML Service. This project is now implemented in the latest version of Zend Server and Zend Server Community Edition for accessing IBM i specific resources like HLL Programs (RPG & COBOL), Data Areas, Data Queues, Spooled files and much more. Coupled with a compatibility layer which makes the transition to the new toolkit virtually painless for existing PHP applications, this new solution ushers in a new era of PHP and IBM i integration. Mike will explore the Object Oriented model of the new toolkit as well as the existing Compatibility Wrapper that will intercept requests made by the existing i5 function calls and handle them via XML Service. Then Mike will also delve into the process of integrating Open Source applications on IBM i which can save IBM i shops the time and trouble of spinning up additional servers to satisfy day to day requests like company intranets. Open source applications, classes and functions will be reviewed live on a Power Systems server running IBM i in the cloud.

Mike Pavlak

Mike Pavlak has been working with IBM midrange solutions since 1992 and IBM Mainframes before that. After years of developing applications using RPG, CL and PHP he managed IT development and IT for power protection manufacturer Tripp Lite. Recently, Mike has joined Zend as a Solutions Consultant working with the i5 sales team and spreading the news about Zend solutions in the IBM midrange arena. Mike lives in suburban Chicago with his wife, five kids, a dog, three cats, a leopard spotted gecko, Russian tortoise, two rabbits, half a dozen fish and dwarf hamster.