World of Java is Extended Beyond Professional Developers Circle
SOMERS, NY (July 8, 1997) - IBM today introduced technology that lets even non-experienced software developers build JavaBeans**, or Java** components, in as little as 90 seconds. By expanding the talent pool of Java developers, the new technologies could put e-business within reach of more companies.
IBM leads the industry in developing reusable software components, the building blocks of new "killer applications" that are helping customers extend their businesses to the Internet and intranets. Components allow developers to build applications from separate software parts, enabling them to add and change functionality quickly and at less expense than starting from scratch.
Today, IBM is making generally available a number of Java technologies, including Java-based development tools and ready-to-integrate JavaBean components, and is previewing new "Bean Dipping" technology that allows enterprises to customize existing JavaBeans by adding new functionality, such as printing, licensing, purchasing and security. Among the new technologies are VisualAge for Java*, the first fully integrated Java development environment, and VisualAge WebRunner*, a subscription-based toolkit of Java productivity technologies that complement and extend VisualAge for Java's state-of-the-art development environment.
"The Internet has opened a new world of business opportunity for our customers," said John Slitz, vice president, Object Technology and Application Development Marketing, IBM Software Solutions Division. "This changing business model demands up-to-the-minute information that's easy to access, so that customers can respond intelligently to new demands on their business. IBM's new Java application development tools will give customers the flexibility to continue to build on existing business applications by making them accessible throughout the network."
IBM Java Tools
VisualAge for Java is a core technology within IBM's Network Computing Framework. Introduced to the industry last April, IBM's Network Computing Framework is a roadmap for customers to move their business to the Internet. Utilizing VisualAge for Java's development environment, businesses can quickly and easily develop network-enabled business applications that will allow them to reap the benefits of an expanded customer base. The tools make Java development so easy, that even inexperienced programmers can build component-based business applications.
Productivity Solutions, a leading consulting firm, advises a wide range of industries on how to maximize business application development with object-oriented tools. David Moskowitz, president of Productivity Solutions, said "I found that IBM's VisualAge for Java meets the diverse business needs of companies across multiple industries. Our clients have various computer platforms, and consequently demand a tool that can rapidly create 100% pure Java applications and JavaBean components which extend to the Web. That's the only way they can take full advantage of the 'Net to maximize their total business potential."
IBM is leveraging the Internet to sell and distribute these technologies. Both VisualAge for Java and the VisualAge WebRunner Toolkit from Taligent, a wholly-owned subsidiary of IBM, are available through electronic software distribution. VisualAge WebRunner's subscription service will give customers access to development information, updates to the technology and new JavaBeans components to further enhance the VisualAge for Java development environment.
For More Information
For more information on VisualAge for Java, please visit http://www.software.ibm.com/ad/vajava/. To find out more information on the VisualAge WebRunner Toolkit, visit the Taligent home page at http://www.taligent.com. All the latest news on IBM's award-winning application development tools can be found at http://www.software.ibm.com/ad.
VisualAge for Java and VisualAge WebRunner demos can be seen at IBM's upcoming TechCon I/T conference in Boston, MA, from August 12-14.
IBM, recently ranked the number one software provider by Software Magazine, creates, develops and manufactures the industry's most advanced information technologies. IBM offers complete information about the company, its products, services and technologies through the World Wide Web. The fastest, easiest way to get information about IBM Software is to go to the IBM Software home page at http://www.software.ibm.com.
* Indicates trademark or registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.
** Indicates trademark or registered trademark of respective companies.
VisualAge for Java and VisualAge WebRunner Speed Development of High-Performance Applications that Integrate the Web with I/T
SOMERS, NY (July 8, 1997) - Powerful productivity tools for Java** developers, designed to fully integrate enterprise data with new Web applications for e-business, are now generally available from IBM. With over 250,000 betas distributed to developers, VisualAge for Java* now debuts as the industry's first fully integrated development environment for writing, compiling and testing 100% Pure Java applets, JavaBeans** or applications for the enterprise.
VisualAge WebRunner*, also available today, is a complementary toolkit of Java productivity aids offered through a one-year, renewable subscription service. Each subscription entitles Java developers to receive, throughout the year, updates of wizards, frameworks, utilities, and other cool WebRunner technologies to simplify and speed the development of Web applications.
IBM also announced the preview of Bean Extender, VisualAge WebRunner's next-generation "bean dipping" technology, through IBM alphaWorks. Bean dipping technology will enable developers to customize existing JavaBeans by adding functions such as security, licensing and systems management, without reprogramming or recompiling code.
"Our customers want to take advantage of the benefits of doing business on the Web," said John Slitz, vice president, Object Technology and Application Development marketing, IBM Software Solutions Division. "These new tools, which bring the power of VisualAge to Java programming environments, will enable customers to rapidly bridge the gap between the enterprise and the 'net."
"IBM has been an active supporter of JavaBeans since its introduction a year ago," said Gina Centoni, product line manager, JavaSoft Business Unit, Sun Microsystems. "These new IBM tools embrace this open, platform-neutral component architecture and are excellent solutions to bring to Java developers."
VisualAge for Java
VisualAge for Java's integrated development environment of browsers, editors, class libraries and debugging facilities offers an end-to-end solution for creating "write once, run anywhere" enterprise applications that are 100% Pure Java. The tool incorporates the VisualAge family's award-winning visual construction-from-parts technology.
The Professional Edition provides a rapid application development environment, enabling users to change and incrementally compile application code quickly and easily throughout the entire development cycle. It also offers robust version control facilities that help to manage each step of development.
An Enterprise Edition of VisualAge for Java, to be generally available in August, will be the industry's first enterprise-aware Java development environment. It will include Enterprise Access Builders, which will enable Java clients to connect to existing relational databases such as DB2*, Oracle and Sybase, transactions and application servers. Resulting Java programs will automatically connect an enterprise application to the Web, or a Java client to an enterprise server. A Team Programming Server component will be automatically shipped to registered licensees of VisualAge for Java Enterprise late in 1997.
"IBM's Java application development strategy for enterprise-wide network-centric computing is the most innovative I have seen," said Harold Wadler, president, Automated Business Computer Systems. "We plan to release complementary products useful in developing Internet security applications." Automated Business Computer Systems, a member of IBM's VisualAge Object Connection program, develops customized software to help businesses leverage existing software investments.
VisualAge WebRunner
The VisualAge WebRunner Toolkit, developed by Taligent, a wholly-owned subsidiary of IBM, is jam packed with aids to boost the development of client/server applications for the Web. The subscription-based toolkit provides programmers with a continuous stream of innovative Java technologies which complement IBM's VisualAge for Java development environment, as well as non-IBM Java development tools.
Each toolkit includes:
"Taligent's Java frameworks, supporting ModelView separation, has laid the foundation for the development of Transact, an industry-leading point-of-sale application for retailers," said Stephen M. Derbis, director of software products for Gateway Data Sciences, which designs software products that solve real problems for customers in retailing and logistics.
Pricing
VisualAge for Java Professional Edition is priced at $99 per user. Annual subscriptions to VisualAge WebRunner are offered at a suggested retail price of $149. VisualAge for Java Professional users can get a one year subscription for one half the retail price. IBM alphaWorks technology can be previewed at: http://www.alphaWorks.ibm.com.
For More Information
Additional information about VisualAge for Java may be found at http://www.software.ibm.com/ad/vajava/. To obtain more information on the VisualAge WebRunner Toolkit, please visit the Taligent home page at http://www.taligent.com. All the latest news on IBM's award-winning application development tools may be found at http://www.software.ibm.com/ad/.
VisualAge for Java and VisualAge WebRunner demos can be seen at IBM's upcoming TechCon I/T conference in Boston, MA, from August 12-14. Online conference registration may be completed at http://www.ibmtechcon.com, or by calling the conference hotline at 1-800-767-2336.
IBM, recently ranked the number one software provider by Software Magazine, creates, develops and manufactures the industry's most advanced information technologies. The fastest, easiest way to get information about IBM Software is to go to the IBM Software home page at http://www.software.ibm.com.
* Indicates trademark or registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.
** Indicates trademark or registered trademark of respective companies.
IBM's newsletter, "OS/2 Warp FM: Transmitting 100% Pure Java(tm) Energy," July issue, is now available on the Internet at http://www.software.ibm.com/os/warp/warpfm.
The July issue features the following stories:
I20 Lessens Device Driver Burden
Mike Lawrie at the Mike: IBM Support for OS/2
Interview: Director Greg Nurre on Services
OS/2 Team Sets Swiss Federal Railway on the Right Track
Oklahoma Dept. of Transportation Gets Mileage From OS/2
Education Lessons for the Less Informed: Device Drivers
What OS/2 Customers are Saying about IBM's Network Computing Direction
PC Company Unleashes OS/2 Demand with License in a Box
IBM Delivers Enhancements for OS/2 Warp