You can build n-tier applications that access mainframe and AS/400 data using the features of Microsoft SNA Server version 4.0. SNA Server is a comprehensive gateway and application integration platform that provides a way to embrace Internet, intranet, and client/server technologies while preserving investments in existing AS/400 and mainframe systems. For more information about SNA Server, see the site http://www.microsoft.com/sna.
SNA Server ships with COM Transaction Integrator (COMTI), which includes both a run-time environment and a development tool. The run-time environment integrates Microsoft Transaction Server (MTS) with Customer Information Control System and Information Management System. The development tool imports COBOL code and automatically generates an MTS-compatible object and method. As a result, application developers can program in the visual, object-oriented environments to which they are accustomed, and can have access to host transactions without needing to learn host-applications programming or communication protocols.