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New Deployment Options Coming Soon

PowerBuilder
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The new generation of PowerServer (PowerServer 2021) will enable you to automatically deploy PowerBuilder projects as “installable cloud apps”.  The apps are installable on desktops or pads. Cloud meaning the database and the database-related operations residing in the cloud (rather than on-premise) with automatic deployment of the client to users over the Internet. In other words, you can think of “installable cloud app” as the modern app that requires Internet connection to install and run. For more information, refer to Whitepaper: Deploying PowerBuilder Apps to the Cloud.

Furthermore, the upcoming revision of PowerBuilder (PowerBuilder 2019 R3) will provide a new deployment method: PowerClient. PowerClient aims to solve the headaches associated with deploying and updating client/server applications on premise (i.e. local area network).   It will no longer be necessary to create your own installation programs or to manually install and update PowerBuilder applications to each Windows desktop machine. For more information, refer to Whitepaper: Automating On-Premise Deployment of PowerBuilder Apps.

 

 

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Comments (29)

  1. Ludwin Feiten

From the Whitepaper:
"The key tradeoff of this change to the desktop cloud app implementation is that PowerServer 2021 can no longer support iOS and Android devices. This is because PowerScriptis only supported by the Windows OS."

Will there an other "PowerServer" that supports mobile?
Or is our whole investment in "Mobile PowerBuilder" now worthless?

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  1. Paco Lianez    Julie Jiang @Appeon

Does this also apply to PowerServer (PB Edition)?
From which version of PB will we lose the ability to deploy on Android?

Best regards

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  1. Armeen Mazda @Appeon    Paco Lianez

Hi Paco, Next year's version will discontinue Android and iOS support. But the current version will receive long-term support so you can keep using the current version for quite a long time.

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  1. Paco Lianez    Armeen Mazda @Appeon

Ok. Thanks!

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  1. Sivaprakash BKR

Nice to hear about these enhancements. However, would like to get clarified the following points

1. Is it necessary to have PowerServer any way, if we develop Desktop applications that access the web database using WebAPI? Will Cloud Desktop application will be free of PowerServer or not?

2. Is PowerClient limited to in-house deployment only? <deploying and updating client/server applications on-premise >, can we update client/server applications from the web using PowerClient? This will be useful to update the same application to all customers.

3. Any changes in OS requirements?

4. <Deploy PowerScript desktop apps, which are powered by C# REST APIs, seamlessly over the Internet. The desktop and web converged.> The Roadmap for PB 2021 says so. If the deployment option is brought in PB 2019 R3, what we can expect in PB 2021 with regards to deployment?

5. Though we are excited to hear about these new enhancements, we will be equally excited if old bugs and pending enhancements are also resolved.

Thanks.

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  1. Julie Jiang @Appeon    Sivaprakash BKR

Hi Sivaprakash,
1. Yes it is necessary to have PowerServer for desktop cloud apps. It provides all the runtime library support and service support.
2. PowerClient applications need to directly interface with the database (instead of via application server). So we think it the best to host PowerClient applications in-house.
3. We intend to support the OS systems and database systems that are already supported. Do you have any special OS requirement?
4. Sorry to say desktop cloud apps can only be released till PB 2021, not 2019 R3.
5. Yes this is quite clear and we will strive to do our best!

Thank you very much!

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  1. Milton Jiménez    Julie Jiang @Appeon

Hi, Julie,
But will can I convert datawindow to c# model in SnapDevelop and consume json from PowerBuilder at my discretion without use PowerServer 2021?

Thanks,

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  1. Armeen Mazda @Appeon    Milton Jiménez

Yes, you can do this. You just need PowerBuilder CloudPro version. No need to buy PowerServer. Check out this page: https://www.appeon.com/products/powerbuilder/dotnet-datastore-rest-apis

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  1. Zhang JX

Thanks and nice to hear about these new features.
We are having the similar concerns:
1. Is the new PowerServer acting as a "gateway" to accept API call and pass through database CRUD requests?
2. Will Appeon open up the API specs in detail so that we can develop IOS/Android API call to fulfill the mobile client needs?
3. How will be the Powerserver licensing method?

Thanks

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  1. Zhang JX    Julie Jiang @Appeon

Hi Julie and team,
Previously Appeon product roadmap showed that PowerServer2021 + PB cloud deployment could be released around end of 1st qtr'2021, are we still aligning with this timeline or any expected release date? (Trial version release date and GA date)

By the way, if we purchase Powerserver version 2020 now, will we entitle to the free upgrading to version2021 on GA? (with support plan)
- reason behind this: currently we are using RDS on Azure cloud to run application while trying to convert into web access(Powerserver deployment) and finally go for Cloud Desktop application.

Thank you.
Best Regards,
JX

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  1. Armeen Mazda @Appeon    Zhang JX

Hi JX,

A private beta of PowerServer should be available on February 5, 2021. If you are interested, please email product@appeon.com to get involved. The final release is scheduled for Q2 2021... most likely May or June at the latest.

Yes, if you purchase PowerServer 2020 now, you will get free upgrade to 2021 if you have valid support plan. But if your app is not already converted with PowerServer 2020, I think makes more sense to convert with PowerServer 2021 because it requires almost zero work.

Best regards,
Armeen

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  1. Zhang JX    Armeen Mazda @Appeon

Hi Armeen,
thanks for the great news.

Best Regards,
JX

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  1. 119 qiaofu

When will PowerBuilder 2019 R3 be released?

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  1. Julie Jiang @Appeon    119 qiaofu

Shall be by the end of this year, or earlier if possible.

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  1. Tom Peters

This is all fantastic news!

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  1. Zhang JX

Hi all,
When are we able to test/trial run "Desktop App deployment/Powerclient", is there user guide/article to tell how to start with it?

** We have "PowerBuilder CloudPro Subscription" license.

Best regards,
Thank you.
Zhang

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  1. Armeen Mazda @Appeon    Zhang JX

You will need to use version 2019 R3, which is not released yet. It should be released by end of January 2021. We made a tutorial video using a beta version, that might help you understand how to use this feature: https://youtu.be/WwfDLoqhBU4

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  1. Muhammad Riaz

I am developing Applications in Powerbuilder since 2002, and currently using PowerBuilder 11.5 to develop desktop applications,
I want to launch my applications to the Cloud, Can you help me in this regard?.
please guide me the whole process.

Your favorable response will be highly appreciated.

Best Regards,
Muhammad Riaz

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  1. Armeen Mazda @Appeon    Muhammad Riaz

First, you need to upgrade to PowerBuilder 2021.

Second, go through the Quick Start tutorial: https://docs.appeon.com/ps2021/quick_start.html

Third, read through the documentation carefully, especially these:
https://docs.appeon.com/ps2021/working_with_database_connections.html
https://docs.appeon.com/ps2021/unsupported_features_guide.html

Then finally, try your own app.

If you have further questions, please post in the Q&A instead. https://community.appeon.com/index.php/qna/q-a

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  1. Muhammad Riaz

Hi Mr Armeen,
How are you?

is PowerServer 2021 include in PowerBuilder 2021 installation or
PowerServer 2021 is stand alone Server?

Thanks and Regards.
Muhammad Riaz

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  1. Armeen Mazda @Appeon    Muhammad Riaz

PowerServer 2021 is included in CloudPro edition of PowerBuilder 2021. There is also free trial available. https://www.appeon.com/freetrial?product=pb&application=pb

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  1. Marlon De Paz

Hi Mr. Armeen,

We recently acquired a perpetual license of Power Server 2021 for 150 User Sessions knowing that we can still use this in our PowerBuilder 2019 R3 forIOS and Androids deployment. Hence appeon stop support for mobile apps. Any suggestion that you can recommend to us so that this PowerServer 2021 that we acquired is still worthy of our investment on appeons products. Until now we are still having a hard time deploying our cloud apps in a secured website. and what will happen to our apps developed with 2019 R3 that is supposedly intended for IOS and Android deployment.

Thanks and God Bless.

Marlon

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  1. Armeen Mazda @Appeon    Zhang JX

Hi JX, SnapDevelop bundled with PowerBuilder does not include HTML or UI development capability. You would need to download the standalone version, which will be available some time in October this year. Once it is released, there will be document/sample project to learn from.

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  1. Zhang JX    Armeen Mazda @Appeon

Hi Armeen,
Ok, noted with thanks. Looking forward to the new release.

Regards, JX

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  1. Armeen Mazda @Appeon    Marlon De Paz

Hi Marlon, Please contact whoever you purchased from to get help deploying your cloud apps in a secured Website. As far as your legacy mobile project, it would need to be rewritten. But you can use the PowerScript Migrator to automate migration of the business logic and SQL into REST Web API.

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  1. Clarence Chamorro

I have being working with Powerbuilder for 21 years creating Client-Server application because it is the BEST tool period.

Five or six years a go I did learn how to deploy app to iOs and Android with Powerbuilder/PowerServer. Back then I said, I will never change or learn any other software development tool, just Powerbuilder.

When Appeon announced they will stop supporting deploying app to iOs and Android and it was a definitely turn off future without giving us the consumers a continuable option. It was one of the saddest days for me. When I say continuable option so we can continue, as Powerbuilder/PowerServer get more powerfull , our android and iOs app will get better or at least Inter browsers running in other operating system will be supported so we can move our native app to browser apps. But not option just have to move to a different somthing.

I have thousand of hours invested in theses Powerbuilder/Powerserver apps iOs and Android. The original Appeon Rod Map did not discard the IOs and Adroid deployment, in the other hand it looks like it was getting stronger. And From one day to the next Appeon decide to stop this future. You guys have support this future for years and suddenly stop. "Locura".

I know Appeon will be supporting PB2019/PS2020 until 2025 and you are giving us time to migrate to something else, I appreciate that. but If you already had the future in Powerserver and PB why not just continue with what you gave us as a legacy and continue with you new Rod Map.

I'm pretty sure there are a lot of PB/PS developers with iOs and Android app running in production, as we speak, and they are as sad as me or more because they have hundreds or thousands of users or clients to support and eventually will be none unless major effort moving to a different stuff (development tool, different everything).

I know Appeon will not even pay attention to what I am commenting, you guys already took you decision and you are implementing; I guess is time for me to open my eyes and start looking for a new tool.

Sorry if I offended anyone, it was not my intention, but I am sad and mad.

Clarence.

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