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Ready for IBM Rational software
Frequently asked questions
Q: What is the Ready for IBM Rational software validation offering?
A: The Ready for IBM Rational software validation offering provides a way for you to differentiate your software solution by establishing it as one that can be effectively integrated with products based on the IBM Rational Software Delivery Platform.
Q: What is the IBM Rational Software Delivery Platform?
A: The IBM Rational Software Delivery Platform is a complete, open, and modular set of tools and best practices for developing software and software-based systems.
Q: Is there a cost associated with Ready for IBM Rational software validation?
A: There is no cost to participate. If you are a member of PartnerWorld you are eligible to participate.
Join now if needed.
Q: Do I need to be a participant of PartnerWorld Industry Networks to take advantage of this validation offering?
A: While you must be a member of IBM PartnerWorld, we do not require participation in PartnerWorld Industry Networks to validate your solution. We encourage you to do so and take advantage of the additional benefits offered through PartnerWorld Industry Networks.
Q: Why should I pursue Ready for IBM Rational software validation for my solution?
A: Ready for IBM Rational software validation shows that your solution meets IBM Rational integration guidelines and should thus interoperate safely and provide consistent user experience when installed into IBM Rational products. By becoming a validated provider you'll gain valuable exposure to IBM Rational customers, other IBM Business Partners and the IBM sales force from a variety of IBM PartnerWorld offerings and Web sites.
Q: Do customers place value on Ready for IBM Rational software validation?
A: Software with the Ready for IBM Rational software validation mark allows users to make an informed purchase decision.
Q: How long has the Ready for IBM Rational software validation offering been in existence?
A: The Ready for IBM Rational software validation offering began January 2005.
Q: Do I have to validate my solution against all of the Rational products eligible for the Ready for IBM Rational software validation offering?
A: No. While there are many products eligible for the Ready for IBM Rational software validation offering you only validate your solution against those where your function would be installed and used. This makes more sense when you understand the categories and the participating products in each category.
| Ready for IBM Rational category | Rational products category | Products |
| Practitioner |
Architecture and construction quality management |
Rational Software Architect
Rational Systems Developer
Rational Software Modeler
Rational Application Developer
Rational Performance Tester
Rational Manual Tester
Rational Functional Tester
|
| Software development lifecycle |
Change and release management
Requirements management |
Rational RequisitePro
Rational ClearQuest
Rational ClearCase
Rational BuildForge |
| Process and portfolio management |
Process and portfolio management |
Rational Unified Process or Rational Method Composter
Rational Portfolio Manager |
Q: Are there different validation levels?
A: Yes.
Determining which level applies to your solution depends on what your solution does and how you implement that function.
When your solution is comprised of Eclipse plug-ins that will be installed as part of an IBM Rational Software Delivery Platform practitioner product, you validate to at least the Eclipse practitioner level, and possibly the IBM Rational Software Delivery Platform level.
When your solution integrates with Rational products in the Change and Release Management and Requirements Management categories, you validate to the Software Delivery Platform: Software Development LifeCycle level. When your solution integrates with Rational Process and Portfolio Management products, you validate to the Software Delivery Platform: Process and Portfolio Management level.
You may need to validate to multiple validation levels if your solution integrates to multiple Rational products.
Your solution may also qualify for the Ready for IBM Rational SOA validation level if it integrates to Rational Application Developer or Rational Software Architect and can be used to develop or test artifacts that can run on the IBM SOA Foundation software.
Q: Does a Ready for IBM Rational software validation expire?
A: Validations are specific to the version of the IBM Rational Software Delivery Platform product with which your solution integrates, and to the version of your solution used in the validation.
New major versions of your solution (for example, V1.0 to V2.0) must also be revalidated.
New releases of your solution (for example, V1.0 to V1.1) should also be revalidated if significant change is made to the integration. To discuss if revalidation is necessary send an e-mail to
rfrstech@us.ibm.com with the subject line: "Ready for IBM Rational software - revalidation"; please include the name and version of your previously validated solution in the body of your message.
Q: What benefits do I get when I obtain Ready for IBM Rational software validation?
A: A successful Ready for IBM Rational software validation allows you to use the mark on your solution packaging and marketing literature, and your solution will appear as part of Plug-in Central. This can help lead to easier purchase decisions and increased revenue.
Q: Are Ready for IBM Rational software validations publicly announced?
A: Yes, IBM Rational announces validations and re-validations to help you generate market awareness of your solution. We will publicize your validated solution in Rational CenterField, our internal sales newsletter; Rational Business Partner update, a monthly newsletter for Rational Business Partners; Rational Edge, the e-zine for the IBM Rational community. See What we do for you.
Q: What are the differences between Ready for IBM Rational software validation requirements and best practices?
A: Passing the applicable requirements is mandatory for a successful validation. The best practices represent desirable function and behavior for an Ready for IBM Rational software validated offering. Over time, some Ready for IBM Rational software best practices may evolve into requirements.
Q: Are there benefits I receive for complying with the best practices?
A: Solutions that comply with 70 percent or more of the applicable best practices are awarded the Best Practices indicator; this will appear as part of the Plug-in Central entry.
Q: Where can I go to see the solutions that have achieved Ready for IBM Rational software validation?
A: The solutions that have passed the Ready for IBM Rational software requirements are listed on Plug-in Central and in our worldwide Global Solutions Directory.
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Q: What are the steps in the Ready for IBM Rational software validation process?
A: The process is documented and accessible when you are a member of PartnerWorld. You download the requirements, identify your solution, apply for validation, and then proceed through the validation session.
Q: Do I have to change my solution to obtain Ready for IBM Rational software validation?
A: To pass the Ready for IBM Rational software requirements you may need to make modifications, but this is not the goal; well-designed software (for example, software developed according to the Eclipse guidelines) should pass the Ready for IBM Rational software requirements with no or only minor changes.
Q: Do I have to share my code with anyone as part of the Ready for IBM Rational software validation process?
A: There is never a need to share the source for your solution during or after the Ready for IBM Rational software validation process. You are required to demonstrate that your source does not use internal (non-API) interfaces to Eclipse, but this step does not require that you share your source.
Q: How much time and effort is required to obtain Ready for IBM Rational software validation?
A: The effort required can depend on the size and complexity of your solution, but it is not a fixed ratio. You have to assess and test your solution's compliance with respect to the requirements and then document your findings using a pretest report that is included in the validation package. Once the pretest report is complete, you have to participate in the Ready for IBM Rational software validation session. The process starts when your solution is ready (functionally complete). The elapsed time can range from two to four weeks; the work effort depends on your solution but should be on the order of a few days.
Q: How do I apply for Ready for IBM Rational software validation?
A: Simply follow the steps outlined in the Ready for IBM Rational software validation process; using the Global Solutions Directory you will create a listing for your solution and nominate it for validation. You will then submit your Ready for IBM Rational software validation pretest report. After receiving your completed pretest report and application we will contact you to schedule a validation session.
Q: Once I have submitted my pretest report for Ready for IBM Rational software validation, how long is it before the actual validation session is scheduled?
A: The scheduling process depends on the availability of both your team and our team. We make every effort to schedule the Ready for IBM Rational software validation session at the earliest possible time that is convenient for both teams. Scheduling an event within one week, assuming there are no problems with the pretest report, is the goal.
Q: Who participates in the Ready for IBM Rational software validation session?
A: The session includes as many members of your team as you desire; they may be technical representatives, management representatives, or both.
The Ready for IBM Rational software validation team representatives vary based on the type and complexity of the solution to be validated.
Q: What happens before and during the actual Ready for IBM Rational software validation session?
A: Prior to the validation session, we review the Ready for IBM Rational software pretest report for completeness and accuracy. We let you know if your pretest report is incomplete. Once your pretest report is complete, we will work with you to schedule your validation session. During the session, your team will introduce your software and perform solution-specific actions to demonstrate compliance with the Ready for IBM Rational software validation requirements. Typically you will start with your software installed and configured to support demonstration of its function. When you are extending an Eclipse-based IBM Rational Software Delivery Platform practitioner product you will perform an uninstall and reinstall as part of the validation process to demonstrate how you satisfied the installation requirements.
Q: How are the results of the Ready for IBM Rational software validation session documented?
A: The pretest report is used to document the validation session. It is annotated to indicate what has been tested and the status ("pass" for applicable requirements that you complied with, "open" for those where compliance was not adequately demonstrated and an issue remained and "OK" for those requirements that were "N/A"). Any unresolved requirements (marked "open") are noted and the actions required to resolve them are also documented. This revised pretest report is sent back to you at the end of the session. Usually, you can show resolution through screen captures. Occasionally, a short follow-up validation session may be required.
Q: How am I notified of the success (or failure) of my Ready for IBM Rational software validation?
A: The validation status of your application is usually known at the end of the validation session. Occasionally a follow-up validation session or other communication is required to resolve any open items before the process is complete. The program manager sends official notification of a successful validation by e-mail.
Q: After a successful validation, how do I obtain the Ready for IBM Rational software mark?
A: After you have successfully completed validation and your Authorized Profile Administrator has signed the required trademark license supplement, you may download the Ready for IBM Rational software mark.
Q: What changes would require that my solution undergo the full Ready for IBM Rational software validation process again?
A: Full revalidation is required for new versions of a solution, or new releases of the solution which contain significant changes to the Rational product integration.
Q: What is the Ready for IBM Rational software delta revalidation process and how does it differ from the full Ready for IBM Rational software validation?
A: The delta revalidation process is used when only minor changes to the solution have taken place; it entails the submission of appropriate pretest documentation and a review by the Ready for IBM Rational software validation team. In some cases it may be possible to avoid a formal Ready for IBM Rational software validation session.
Q: What changes would require that I submit my solution for an Ready for IBM Rational software delta revalidation?
A: A Ready for IBM Rational software delta validation may be used if revalidating a product to a new version of Ready for IBM Rational software if only minor changes have been made in the solution, primarily for compliance to the new Ready for IBM Rational software version. A Ready for IBM Rational software delta validation may also be used when revalidating minor changes in the solution to the same version of Ready for IBM Rational software.
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Q: What must I do to meet the Ready for IBM Rational software installation requirements for adding my solution to the IBM Rational Software Delivery Platform?
A: You can either provide your solution on an update site or use a formalized installation routine. To pass the Ready for IBM Rational software validation your update site content must identify the appropriate location in the IBM Rational Software Delivery Platform to install your solution. A formalized installation routine must use the Ready for IBM Rational software system markers to locate the product or products you wish to extend. For more detail see Practitioner product installation concepts (PDF, 333KB)
Q: If my solution has obtained an Ready for IBM Rational software validation can it still be installed in a pure Eclipse configuration?
A: Yes, there is nothing about the Ready for IBM Rational software installation requirements that prevents your Eclipse-based solution from being installed as part of another Eclipse configuration.
Q: Do Ready for IBM Rational software validation requirements conflict with Eclipse?
A: The Eclipse standards and guidelines are the basis for many of the Ready for IBM Rational software requirements. Every attempt is made to ensure that the Ready for IBM Rational software requirements only highlight the Eclipse standards and guidelines that are considered essential; conflict is not desired. Additional requirements address the needs for fairness and flexibility. Solutions from one provider should not block the function of solutions from another provider.
Q: Are there APIs to the IBM Rational Software Delivery Platform that I can use to increase the level of function and integration offered by my solution?
A: Yes. API documentation is provided with Rational products. The Ready for IBM Rational Software Development Kit provides additional information on APIs and methods of integration with the IBM Rational Software Delivery Platform products.
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