BRMS User Interface Strategy

Learn about the BRMS user interface plan

Strategic Direction

IBM and Fortra have developed a roadmap for the BRMS product, including delivering a new graphical interface in a phased approach. The BRMS team is currently focused on ensuring that functionality which was lost with the removal of the heritage Navigator is delivered via commands, APIs, and SQL services. These replacement functions are building blocks for future development. The BRMS strategic direction is a staged delivery of a new BRMS graphical interface while continuing to balance the delivery of other customer enhancement requests.

The BRMS team is currently focused on ensuring GUI functionality is not lost. Replacement Heritage Navigator functions are being built via commands, APIs and SQL services. Refer to the following table to map GUI functions to its new equivalent replacement.

GUI function	New Equivalent Replacement

GUI function	New Equivalent Replacement
Reclaim Media	Reclaim Media (Q1ARCLMED) API
Control group attributes	Change GUI Only Control Group Attributes
GUI Object Omits	Adding or Removing Object Omits via green screen GUI Object Omit Migration SQL Service - View Control Group Omits
BRMS Log e-mail	SQL Service - View Distribution Messages SQL Service - Set Distribution Server Procedure SQL Service - Add Distribution Message Procedure SQL Service - Remove Distribution Message Procedure
BRMS Log omits	SQL Service - Log Omits View SQL Service - Add Log Omit Procedure SQL Service - Remove Log Omit Procedure
Media Library Management	SQL Service - Media Library Management View SQL Service - Add Media Library Management Procedure SQL Service - Remove Media Library Management Procedure
BRMS Enterprise	BRMS Enterprise SQL Services
BRMS Networking	Network Information View Add Network System Activate Network System Remove Network System
Maintenance	Maintenance Policy View Change Maintenance Policy Procedure Reset Maintenance Policy Defaults Procedure
Copy Control Group	Copy Control Group Procedure
History Synchronization (IASP FlashCopy)	IASP History Synchronization View Add IASP History Synchronization Procedure Remove IASP History Synchronization Procedure

Phase I - Foundations

BRMS has had a web-based graphical interface for many years which was an optional plug-in to the IBM Navigator for i interface. Over the years, this interface was enhanced and extended with functionality not accessible via other interfaces.

The first phase involves ensuring that any functionality which was only available via the heritage Navigator is available via commands, APIs, and SQL services.

SQL services, starting in the fall of 2020, delivered immediate value to BRMS customers worldwide, and has continued ever since.

SQL services enable our users to realize immediate value, including tying the services into any existing monitoring solution that can utilize SQL, allowing users to create dashboards for their BRMS environment. Pulling these services into the core product, ensures that the BRMS can readily integrate with any present and future interfaces.

For additional information on BRMS SQL services see: BRMS SQL Services

Phase I Status - [Complete]

BRMS development is still navigating through Phase I of the user interface strategy. New equivalent replacements have been delivered for functions only available in the heritage Navigator in the latest BRMS PTFs 7.5 SI83110 , 7.4 SI83109 , 7.3 SI83108. The BRMS commands, APIs and new SQL services needed for the foundation of a future GUI interfaces continues to be built to deliver immediate value to our customers.

Phase II - Future Graphical Interfaces

The initial BRMS Web Interface is available, for more details reference Configuring the BRMS Web Interface.

Phase II Status - [Complete]

A bookmark to the new BRMS Web Interface is available in the Navigator for IBM i, reference PTFs that include the BRMS bookmark .

Phase III - GUI Enhancements

After the initial delivery of a new graphical user interface, the BRMS team will leverage feedback to prioritize and incrementally deliver enhancements.

This strategy ensures that the BRMS product continues to be the trusted backup and recovery solution for IBM i customers.

Phase III Status - [Future]

This phase requires feedback based on the initial delivery, no timeline has not been determined.

Heritage Navigator for IBM i

IBM announced the new navigator in September of 2021, built on new technologies leveraging SQL services. The original plan was to have the new Navigator and heritage Navigator running alongside each other for a transition period.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, heritage Navigator was withdrawn much earlier than initially planned. Refer to heritage Navigator in the IBM i Security Bulletin. Because of this change, the BRMS team’s immediate focus is delivering function that was only available in heritage Navigator.

Help Shape the Future Direction of BRMS

The BRMS team looks forward to having discussions with customers to learn how you are using the heritage Navigator, so that we can continue to prioritize and deliver functionality that matters most. You can help drive the direction for BRMS by doing one of the following:

Vote on the IBM idea related to the BRMS graphical interface, and provide us with information to help prioritize the functionality:
1. Which specific tasks are most important to you in the day-to-day management of BRMS?
2. What are the most difficult aspects of configuring, managing and monitoring your current BRMS environment?
  See the IBM Idea to vote and provide your feedback: IBMI-I-2609
Contact us to provide direct feedback. Let us know the specific details that are important to you. We may use the information you provide to contact you for follow-up discussions.

^{IBM’s and Fortra's statements regarding plans, directions, and intent are subject to change or withdrawal without notice at our sole discretion. Information regarding potential future products is intended to outline our general product direction, and it should not be relied on in making a purchasing decision. The information mentioned regarding potential future products is not a commitment, promise, or legal obligation to deliver any material, code or functionality. Information about potential future products may not be incorporated into any contract. The development, release, and timing of any future features or functionality described for our products remains at our sole discretion.}