4 questions with Rhiannon Dakin and the Flynet Team

Since 1995, Flynet have been building some of the industry's most sophisticated web-based solutions for Mainframe, Unix, IBMi, VMS, VAX and MultiValue systems. The multi award winning FlynetViewer software suite is used by companies like DHL, BMW, HP, Vodafone and Tesco to connect to and administer their host system environments. This week our Director Carly Greene sat down with Rhiannon Dakin of the Flynet team to discuss the future for the software.

In an industry sustained by innovation, what makes Flynet stick out from the pack?

Flynet originally started its operations as a science company located next to the University of Cambridge. Back then, the company would solve the clients’ host system integration and mainframe connectivity problems, creating bespoke solutions which were forensically efficient and delivered maximum competitive advantage.

Over the years, Flynet transitioned to help companies future-proof their legacy applications, but the focus on efficiency and attention to detail was never lost. Today, Flynet is a leading supplier of host server integration software and services and provides the no-code or low-code Flynet Viewer tool-set allowing organizations to integrate the mainframe in their cloud, mobile, SOA, iPaaS, IoT, and digital agendas, without increasing technical debt. Customers include DHL, BMW, HP, Vodafone and more.

Legacy infrastructure tends to be one of the key challenges facing FIs. What areas do your clients identify as pivotal challenges and how are you helping them to overcome them?

Our client’s challenges tend to revolve around legacy data access, consumption and utilisation. Their host systems, such as mainframe, AS400 (IBM i) and Unix are incredibly performant and efficient, but they often present barriers to the end user- with unfamiliar green screen interfaces and a lack of API for integration with other applications/ SOA.

Flynet allows customers to modernize their UI, give users instant access on any device, and create web services in minutes for seamless integration with other applications. Without writing a single line of code, Flynet’s customers can harness the power of their host systems, within the modern business agendas.

Efficiency is always a key driver for any organisation looking to streamline processes and outgoings. How are you helping customers transform their billing systems / MRP applications/ data entry and achieve greater results?

Primarily by specializing in mainframe and other green screen systems. Flynet’s no code tool set allows customers to harness robotic process automation (RPA) in their data entry and business processes. Capturing application/business logic and automating the less cerebral paths, to free the user to concentrate on the edge cases. When this solution was implemented for a recent insurance customer, the efficiency gains were such that the entire annual subscription fee was recouped within seven hours of installation.

Last, but not least, what three takeaways would you offer organizations exploring enterprise applications?

There is a reason that the majority of financial organizations still complete most of their data processing on the mainframe, it is uniquely fit for purpose for the transactional throughput. That being said, it is vital to ensure that the green screen applications are integrated into the wider enterprise architecture, to do this organizations need to:

• Modernize
• Integrate
• Automate.

Ideally this should be done using a no-code or low code toolset to reduce dependency on specialist skillsets and improve time to value.

Anyone interested in speaking with the Solna team can meet them at FinTech Connect in booth D14, 5-6th December at the ExCeL London. View the Floorplan, or register now as a free visitor!

To see who else is exhibiting at Fintech Connect, click here.

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