TurnOver^™/Dimensions^™ Interface

The TurnOver^™/Dimensions^™ Interface enables enterprise-wide software configuration management (SCM) for businesses with multiplatform computing environments that include iSeries servers. Organizations with diverse computing requirements no longer need to compromise ideal technology and preferred development environments in order to control and integrate IT processes at an enterprise level.

Both Dimensions and TurnOver are full lifecycle, process-based software configuration management tools. Dimensions addresses Windows, UNIX, Linux, and IBM mainframe systems, and TurnOver is the leading SCM solution for the iSeries platform. Each solution provides extensive development support specifically tailored to its platform(s).

The TurnOver/Dimensions Interface coordinates and tracks development activities across all platforms in the enterprise, providing a single point of control. Developers remain in their native, preferred environment while coordinating their efforts with other development teams and supporting wider enterprise change management goals such as protecting software assets, reducing costly errors, and improving control through centralized IT management.

The TurnOver/Dimensions Interface consists of Java components, including the TurnOver Listener. The interface monitors and documents key project activities that involve cross-platform teams, such as issue tracking, change requests, and deployment of software changes. Specifically, it automates bidirectional updates between TurnOver "tasks" and Dimensions "change documents" at pre-established points in the development process and informs the appropriate people of the progress.

Configuration options allow for seamless mapping of data attributes between Dimensions and TurnOver. To manage workflow, Dimensions properties are mapped to TurnOver properties within the TurnOver Listener. Configured properties instruct the TurnOver Listener when to create a corresponding TurnOver task for a new or updated Dimensions change document. You can specify the project to which a new change request should be added, the Dimensions role it should use to determine what iSeries resource to assign to it, and much more.

Once a task is assigned, iSeries developers work in TurnOver as usual. A change in a TurnOver task's status or priority triggers actions based on your interface configuration. For example, the Dimensions change document could be updated with task details or a new status, priority, or resource. Additionally, emails could be sent to the project manager and/or the new resource to inform them of the changes.

The TurnOver/Dimensions process-oriented integration lets IT project leaders monitor and coordinate all tasks for which work is being performed, regardless of platform. At a higher level, the integration gives managers an enterprise-wide look at software development activity to facilitate planning, reporting, and compliance with audit and regulatory requirements.

Features and Benefits

Interface supports enterprise-wide software development visibility

The integrated SCM process enabled by the TurnOver/Dimensions interface coordinates and tracks development activities on all platforms across the enterprise, provides a single point of control, and supports comprehensive reporting for corporate management and auditors.

Dynamic project insight improves decision-making

A single repository for all task information gives IT project leaders on-demand access to the details they need to make informed, timely decisions. Projects are likely to stay on track and on time.

Developers work as usual in their native environments

The interaction between TurnOver and Dimensions is transparent to users, who continue to work with familiar tools and development environments. For example, iSeries developers use TurnOver to compile and promote their changes as usual without taking additional steps to support the established enterprise-wide development framework.

Configuration options customize interface for user and business needs

The TurnOver Listener provides many set up options through its configurable properties, including connection properties for the iSeries, TurnOver, and Dimensions; time interval for Dimensions polling; error message threshold; iSeries data queue used for updating Dimensions change documents; and various email properties.

Automated messaging streamlines workflow

Automated communications can be set up for any attribute, including those that are user defined. For example, a project manager can receive automatic email messages as task status changes. Mail messenger properties also send automated email notifications for any failed transactions and can be configured to prevent users from being inundated with email messages if a repetitive error occurs, such as a server being down.

Transaction log supports auditing

The TurnOver Listener keeps log files of all the activity that occurs between TurnOver and Dimensions. The log files provide an audit path of change activity.

Interface & Application Software Support

You can use TurnOver's many APIs or built-in interfaces to bridge to any software package, including:

Built-In Interfaces	Application Support	Optional Interfaces*
Abstract^™	ASI^™	AllFusion 2E^®
AllFusion Plex^™	BPCS^®/ERPLX	AS/SET^®
Code/400^™	PRMS^™	Dimensions^™
Deploy/400^™	PKMS	LANSA^™/Visual LANSA
JD Edwards World^®	HFA^™/Friedman	ProGen Plus^™
Lawson	Infinium^™	Subversion for OS/400
PathFinder	JBA^™	*Optional interfaces licensed separately from TurnOver.
TestBench^™	JDA^™
TurnOver PDQ^™	JHA^™
Version Manager^™	MAPICS
WebSmart^™	Island Pacific
	Kronos
	Movex
	Premenos