Modernizing Green-Screen Access: Introducing OL Terminal for TN3270 & TN5250
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Modernizing Green-Screen Access: Introducing OL Terminal for TN3270 & TN5250
For decades, TN3270 and TN5250 terminals have been the gateway to mission-critical systems on IBM mainframe and IBM i. These systems still run the heart of many enterprises, but the access method has barely changed. Traditional desktop terminal clients introduce cost, maintenance, and security risks.
OL Terminal changes that completely.
OL Terminal provides a modern, browser-based experience that mirrors traditional green-screen environments, but with centralized management, secure access, and zero desktop dependencies.
A Terminal Experience with No Installation
Users simply open a browser and start working. There is nothing to install, update, or distribute. This eliminates:
- MSI rollouts
- Admin permissions
- Manual configuration
- Version inconsistencies across locations
Any authorized user with a browser can access the host immediately.
Secure Access Over HTTPS
Traditional terminal connections often rely on unsecured TN streams. OL Terminal runs natively over HTTPS, introducing enterprise-grade security:
- Central authentication
- Encrypted sessions
- SSO compatibility
- Access control and auditing
Remote workers operate with secure connectivity without requiring desktop VPN-installed emulators.
Real-Time Terminal Interaction with WebSockets
OL Terminal communicates using WebSockets, providing responsive user interaction:
- Instant screen refreshes
- Synchronized cursor position
- Reliable keystroke delivery
- Low latency even across distance
The result is a true 1:1 experience comparable to classic installed emulators.
Productivity Enhancements
OL Terminal preserves a familiar terminal interface while introducing enhanced usability:
Macros
Automate multi-step sequences up to full process flows.
Type-Ahead Support
Users can continue entering commands even during screen transitions.
Keyboard Mapping
Define key layouts suitable for modern devices and user preferences.
Print-to-PDF
Export screens and workflows directly to PDF, without hardware printers.
Centralized IT Control and Visibility
Traditionally, green-screen usage is invisible once installed on desktops. OL Terminal changes this.
Admin Session Viewer
Support teams can observe session interaction live for:
- Issue diagnosis
- Training
- Operational support
Policy Enforcement
Connection entry points, timeout values, routing paths, and identity rules can be defined centrally.
Session Inventory
Gain visibility into who is connected, where, and to which system.
This simplifies support, audit readiness, and usage monitoring.
OL Hub Integration – From Screens to APIs
Combined with OpenLegacy Hub, OL Terminal helps organizations modernize screen-based transactions.
Real session usage can be translated into:
- Logical screen structures
- Input/output data definitions
- Sequence flows
- Dynamic field relationships
These are surfaced as screen-based APIs without modifying COBOL, RPG, or existing transactions.
For example, customer lookup screens can become REST APIs using real navigation patterns observed through OL Terminal sessions.
This lets organizations gradually migrate business workflows into digital channels.
OpenLegacy TermIQ – Analytics, Insights & Auditing
TermIQ extends OL Terminal with usage intelligence:
- Identify frequently used screens
- Measure operational efficiency
- Detect repeated errors
- Audit user navigation
- Track processing time
Examples of insights:
- Why processing time differs across teams
- Which flows frequently reach exception screens
- Where user training gaps appear
This visibility was previously unavailable in traditional emulation models.
When OL Terminal Provides Maximum Value
OL Terminal is ideal for:
- Customer support centers
- Back-office and processing teams
- Distributed branches
- Remote and offshore workers
- Testing environments
- Training environments
All gain modern browser access without rollout effort.
Why OL Terminal Matters
OL Terminal uniquely combines:
- User familiarity — same screens, same workflow
- Centralized IT ownership — controlled access, observable sessions
- Modernization readiness — terminal flows become APIs and analytics inputs
And the solution is free to use, lowering barriers for IT teams.
Summary
Area Value Access Web-based, no installation Security HTTPS encrypted access Operations Session visibility and control Productivity Macros, type-ahead, PDF export Modernization Screen-to-API creation with OL Hub Analytics TermIQ tracking, behavior insight
OL Terminal modernizes access to mainframe and IBM i systems while preserving operational familiarity and offering IT new layers of visibility, control, and modernization opportunity.
Simple to deploy. Secure by design. Free to use.
This is the new standard for terminal access.
