Frequently Asked Questions

How can DataSniff make my job easier?
DataSniff allows your organization to easily and seamlessly access various disparate data sources with one main access point. By automating and simplifying data access throughout various business units, DataSniff reduces manual processes, eliminates security issues, and enhances business decision-making processes. In addition, DataSniff will allow users to create custom reports, queries, and data merges in order to quickly access required data. Thirdly, DataSniff reports this data into multiple different applications including SQL, MS Office, .xml, and other systems. This reporting can then be accessed by end users or business critical corporate applications. Finally, DataSniff is often used as a convenient and easy "bridge" between conversions from Mainframe computing environments to SQL/Oracle. We enable real-time data access throughout the entire evolution process.

What problem does DataSniff solve?
DataSniff solves multiple problems regarding the access, manipulation, and reporting of key corporate data in a secure and real-time environment. First, the problem of accessing company data - SQL, Oracle, DB2, VSAM, QSAM and IMS DB -- with open systems computing environments such as Windows and web-enabled applications is eliminated by DataSniff. Since data is often stored on multiple sources throughout an organization, access to that data from desktop and mobile applications is often limited or even impossible. DataSniff enables users to quickly, easily and cost-effectively access that data, in real-time, through popular decision support tools and applications.

How can using DataSniff improve the quality of management decisions?
There are several ways that using DataSniff will improve decisions. First, with DataSniff, analysts and decision makers get the most current information available, without the delay inherent in older batch reporting systems. Secondly, reports may be easily re-formatted to allow management to compare different parameters not pre-programmed into existing report formats. Also, DataSniff can access data from multiple files, databases or mainframes and format it into a single report. Management can see relationships not visible before, and do more effective planning and 'what-if' analyses.

DataSniff enables the real-time access to core business data throughout an organization in the following manner:

• Tie together multiple datasources from different databases into one main access point
• Enable merging of the data into various, custom queries
• Reporting the data into automated end-user ready reports and/or into business critical software applications for further data normalization
• Eliminate security issues regarding important business data

How is DataSniff different from the batch reports already available to me?
Batch reports, which may be run daily or weekly, are only current at the time of execution, not delivery. DataSniff delivers current "real-time" data, and allows you to change the format of the data without additional IT involvement. With DataSniff, you can also combine data from multiple sources automatically, and create new reports as your needs change. Finally, the data is delivered to either the end-user desktop or to other business critical software applications.

We already have a 3270 emulator. What advantages does DataSniff offer?
3270 emulators cannot match the versatility and ease of use provided with DataSniff. You can take advantage of all the powerful desktop tools and applications already in use in your enterprise.

We already have a Data Warehouse (or Data Mart). What advantages does DataSniff offer?
DataSniff can access data already in relational form (such as SQL, Oracle, & DB2) and combine that data with VSAM, QSAM, or IMS DB data from older legacy applications. End-users have direct access and can combine the data from multiple sources according to their immediate needs, without the involvement of IT resources.

We are planning a conversion to an ERP system in the future. Why should we go through the effort and expense of installing DataSniff?
DataSniff can provide immediate and inexpensive access to your legacy data now, without the long process of conversion required for large ERP systems. Conversions can be delayed or reduced in scope with DataSniff. Installation is fast and users can be accessing required data in hours, without waiting for long IT conversion projects. In addition, DataSniff can be used to "tie-together" the multiple different datasources during the conversion process. Using DataSniff in such a manner will provide unmatched data access throughout the conversion process.

If I already have DB2, CRM or ERP why do I need DataSniff?
If you have any critical data remaining under flat file systems such as VSAM or QSAM, DataSniff can combine this data with your SQL, DB2, Oracle, IMS DB data into new reports not previously possible without application programming resources and budget. In addition, DataSniff can easily tie together all different data sources within your organization. For example, if financial data is stored on SQL, HR on Oracle, business operations on DB2, and other corporate data on mainframes, DataSniff will bring all the data sources into one access and reporting tool.

How does DataSniff impact mainframe operations?
How can I be sure the original legacy data is never compromised?
DataSniff is a "read-only" system, so databases cannot be updated or changed through DataSniff. In addition, DataSniff operates as a fully supported subsystem, and as such complies with all mainframe security and data integrity rules and subsystems.

What prevents unauthorized access to the data?
The DataSniff security architecture allows the security administrator to control access to the mainframe data at the field level. Agents operate through the System Authorization Facility (SAF) interfacing with RACF, ACF2 or Top Secret. The host controls exactly which users are permitted access to specific files.

How can DataSniff reduce or eliminate delays in accessing data?
DataSniff operates as an authorized S390 subsystem. This allows rapid and direct access on the mainframe, and the highest performance possible for data access.

How will system administration processes need to be changed when running DataSniff?
DataSniff does not affect storage administration, security and performance management, and capacity planning procedures and methodologies.

How does DataSniff work?
Explain how DataSniff searches the mainframe for data.
The data required is identified and is mapped into meta data templates, normally during installation. Once the universe of available data has been defined, users then create simple output templates defining the specific fields and organization they wish to see for any given report or analysis.

If the data is mapped at install, how can it be 'real-time'?
The data and the locations of the data are defined in the template building process. Data is not actually retrieved until the moment of the request by the end user.

Does my desktop need to be connected directly to the mainframe system which stores the data?
No. DataSniff enables access to the required data from any Windows application or browser, worldwide. DataSniff is scalable from a single user, single system, to full enterprise-wide support for multiple mainframes and large numbers of users.

How many clients can be connected and requesting data simultaneously?
Multiple servers may be configured for redundancy.

How Quickly Can We Install DataSniff Into Our Environment?
How long does a typical install take?
Most customers are up and running in a day.

Once installed, how much training is needed before we can begin to access our data with DataSniff?
Users can be operational and independent within a couple of hours after installation is complete.

How long does it take to make a template?
Initial data definition templates are usually created during the install process. User-defined output templates can be built in minutes by end users.

What level of programming expertise is required to make a template? Can a business analyst do it?
Yes, a business analyst or department systems support person can build the data definition templates during the install process. End users can build their own output templates for report generation with just a few hours of familiarization training. DataSniff includes a data mapper which reads COBOL copy book definitions and generates both input and output templates automatically.

Are there any tools available to build input templates with?
Yes, the DataSniff Data Mapper, provided with the DataSniff Access Administration tools, will read COBOL copy books and synchronize with selected PCB's and PSB's to automatically extract the data definitions, and build input templates.

Is any additional software required in order for DataSniff to work properly?
Which analytical tools or environments will we need to adopt to use DataSniff?
No special analytical tools are required. Users take advantage of powerful and familiar desktop tools such as Excel, Word, Internet Explorer, etc. to create reports and analyses. Once the data has been accessed, there is no learning curve or delay in your ability to use it. In addition, DataSniff can deliver the data into business critical software applications for further data scrubbing, manipulation, and reporting.

What desktop tools and applications does DataSniff interface with?
DataSniff can deliver data in any format or to any application which is Windows compatible. For example: Microsoft's Host Integration Server, BizTalk Server,.net, Visual Studio, SQL, and MS Office. DataSniff integrates with both Java and Microsoft models for the development of new web-based applications. DataSniff supports C, C++, Visual Basic, VB Script, VB.NET, and Java. Also, DataSniff works with other software environments supported on Windows platforms including C, C++, Java, XML, .NET, Visual Basic, VB.NET, and VB Script.

Is any special software required on the server and/or the PC in addition to the DataSniff product? If so, how long does it take to install it? Can the user install the software on their PC?
No additional software is required. DataSniff delivers data directly to your existing analytical tools.

With which PC server operations systems is DataSniff compatible?
DataSniff server supports Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 3, Windows 2000, 2003, or Windows XP.