[2936] in comp.os.os2.announce archive
PR: IBM Delivers Tools to Build Web-Based Server
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Timothy Sipples)
Sat May 24 18:17:38 1997
To: os2ann.DISCUSS@bloom-picayune.MIT.EDU
Date: 24 May 1997 22:06:27 GMT
From: tsipple@us.ibm.com (Timothy Sipples)
Reply-To: tsipple@us.ibm.com (Timothy Sipples)
Reply-to: tsipple@us.ibm.com (Timothy Sipples)
[Followups directed to comp.os.os2.programmer.tools]
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ALL tools described in this announcement are fully supported on OS/2 Warp.
See below for complete list of supported platforms...
Press Release : IBM Delivers Tools to Build Web-Based Server
Applications -- the Next-Generation "Killer Apps"
SOMERS, N.Y., May 5, 1997 . . . IBM announced today an integrated line-up
of new and upgraded VisualAge* tools that will help businesses combine
Internet technologies with enterprise systems. The tools are designed to build
today's server "killer apps" -- scalable web-enabled business applications,
that require the ability to update, not just access, enterprise data.
IBM's award winning VisualAge* application development technology has been
enhanced with additional language interoperability, modeling and management
capabilities to extend existing and new, server-based applications and data to
the Internet.
Announcements today include:
* VisualAge for Smalltalk* Version 4; VisualAge for Smalltalk
Server for MVS/ESA V4; VisualAge for Smalltalk Web
Connection V4
* VisualAge Generator V2.2; VisualAge Generator Templates
Version 2.2
* VisualAge for COBOL V2
* VisualAge Tivoli*-ready Toolkits
* VisualAge DataAtlas* Multiplatform V2
"E-business has eliminated the separation between server-based and web-based
applications. To create web-enabled server killer apps, our customers need
tools that interoperate throughout the multiple tiers of the enterprise, and
IBM VisualAge family answers that need," said John Slitz, vice president,
application development marketing, IBM. "VisualAge is a more complete toolset
than anything offered by any other software vendor."
"I continue to be impressed by the level of IBM's serious commitment to making
VisualAge one of the most comprehensive, cross-platform development
environments available on the market today," said Steve McClure, director of
Object Tools Research at IDC. "These latest products allow enterprise
developers to take advantage of state-of-the-art tools and Java to build and
extend server-based applications for the enterprise."
Building and Designing the Killer App
Soon to incorporate Java Beans** as the common component model across the
entire family, IBM VisualAge has the ability to seamlessly integrate existing
legacy systems into web-based applications. The tools in the VisualAge
family, including VisualAge for Java and the solutions announced today, make
server-based killer applications possible.
VisualAge for Smalltalk
Available this week is VisualAge for Smalltalk V4, now on MVS* and other IBM
and non-IBM platforms (see complete list of supported platforms at end of
release). VisualAge for Smalltalk V4 has enhanced support for building
multi-tier business applications that take advantage of emerging technologies
such as the World Wide Web, ActiveX**, OLE**, and OLE controls (OCX**). The
new VisualAge for Smalltalk is the first version certified by Microsoft** as
"Designed for Windows."
Using VisualAge for Smalltalk, Columbia Gas Distribution Companies in Ohio was
able to develop a new core billing system called the Gas Transportation System
(GTS) in six months. "To say onlookers were skeptical about us succeeding
with this project is an understatement," said Keith Hardin, director of I/S,
Columbia Gas Distribution Companies. "However, we met our target and
developed a system that guarantees fast delivery of accurate customer bills.
We anticipate that the GTS will save the company an estimated $2.5 million in
its first full year of operation. In my book, that's a success story to be
proud of."
VisualAge Generator
Also announced are VisualAge Generator Version 2.2 and VisualAge Generator
Templates V2.2. VisualAge Generator now features the JavaBean** component
model and Java client, allowing any Java client to access VisualAge Generator
server applications. Programmers can use the tool's Intelligent Dynamic
Application Partitioning to redistribute applications for improved performance
of complex multi-tier client/server solutions. VisualAge Generator allows
developers to scale and deploy applications across mixed hardware/software
environments. Using VisualAge Generator Templates, developers can generate
applications from database definitions without writing any code, dramatically
reducing development time.
The State of California Department of Health Services used VisualAge Generator
to develop ISIS (Integrated State Information System), which supports
approximately 1,800 users who assist 1.2 million low-income families. The
ISIS system realizes approximately $2.0 million in benefits each month ($48
million each year) of full operations. "We needed an environment that would
allow us to make substantial changes to applications quickly, and VisualAge
Generator environment met our needs," said Mike Virga, ISIS application design
project leader.
VisualAge for COBOL
To help companies leverage their existing COBOL systems, IBM will deliver
VisualAge for COBOL V2 later this month. The tool will be available on
Windows NT**, in addition to OS/2*, and will incorporate the unique visual
programming paradigm of the VisualAge family. The product's powerful remote
edit/compile/debug feature allows developers to update and debug their MVS
applications from a workstation, without the need to duplicate and manage the
host environment on the desktop. The professional edition of VisualAge for
COBOL has also been enhanced to help customers with the Year 2000 transition.
Managing the Killer App
Deploying e-business applications often boosts the number of customers
accessing business services, increasing the need for managing performance and
reliability. VisualAge provides customers with the ability to manage both the
development environment, through VisualAge TeamConnection, and the resulting
application, through VisualAge Tivoli Toolkits.
VisualAge Tivoli Toolkits
VisualAge Tivoli Toolkits provide a bridge between VisualAge and systems
management products from IBM's Tivoli Systems subsidiary, making managing
applications easy and affordable. VisualAge Tivoli toolkits are available
today on the web for Smalltalk and C++ and will be available soon for Java and
other VisualAge products. Developers can use the toolkit to create
applications that can be managed by Tivoli's network computing management
solution, TME 10 (Tivoli Management Environment) throughout its entire
lifecycle.
VisualAge DataAtlas Multiplatform V2
Even as companies move to the Net, the enterprise data remains their most
important asset. VisualAge DataAtlas Multiplatform V2, available May 30,
allows developers to optimize current critical databases, all while adding
Java front-ends or designing new databases for Web server applications and
data warehouses.
VisualAge DataAtlas, a comprehensive data modeling, database design and data
dictionary tool, is now available on Windows NT, HP-UX** and AIX* (see
complete list of supported platforms at end of release). The tool supports
DB2*, Oracle**, IMS* and the recently announced IBM Universal Database. It is
well integrated with VisualAge TeamConnection, and is a key component of
VisualAge Financial Foundation, IBM's application development environment for
the financial services industry.
IBM's Network Computing Framework
VisualAge family of tools is an integral part of IBM's Network Computing
Framework (NCF), a roadmap for customers and developers to use when moving
their business to the Internet. The scalable nature of VisualAge tools and
their ability to integrate collaborative aspects of applications make
VisualAge ideal for making this roadmap a reality.
By providing Lotus Notes* components in VisualAge for Smalltalk and Java
products, IBM enables application developers to mix commerce and collaboration
in one application. VisualAge Generator applications can utilize the services
of Lotus Domino* servers using MQ Series*, which enables enterprise
applications with legacy data and communications support to be tied into
workflow solutions. The VisualAge family also provides easy access to
enterprise data through native access to DB2, Sybase** and Oracle, and other
databases via ODBC.
Platform Support and Availability
* VisualAge for Smalltalk V4 now supports HP-UX** V10.10, SUN Solaris** V2.5,
Windows** NT 4.0, MVS and OS/2 Warp V4.0, in addition to the previously
available Windows** 3.11, Windows 95**, Windows NT 3.51, OS/2 Warp V3.0 and
AIX V4.1.4/4.2. It is available May 5.
* VisualAge Generator V2.2 is available today. The Java client enhancement
will be available to customers in June. VisualAge Generator Templates V2.2
will be available May 30.
* VisualAge for COBOL V2 will be available by May 30, and will support
Windows NT and OS/2. The Professional version will include Redeveloper
tools for OS/2. Workstation COBOL compilers are also available for Windows
95 and AIX.
* VisualAge Tivoli Toolkits and VisualAge TeamConnection are available now.
* VisualAge DataAtlas Multiplatform V2 will be available May 30. The tools
supports Windows NT and OS/2 clients, and the following server platforms:
Windows NT, HP-UX, OS/2 and AIX.
For additional information on the content of this release, please visit the
following web site: www.software.ibm.com/ad/. More information on IBM, the
world's largest software provider, can be found at www.ibm.com or
www.software.ibm.com.
# # #
* Indicates trademark or registered trademark of International Business
Machines
** All other trademarks are owned by their respective companies
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