Java Product News (March 9, 2001)
Sun and Openwave team up to simplify mobile device development
A strategic agreement between Sun Microsystems and Openwave Systems includes technology alignment initiatives designed to accelerate the delivery of end-to-end mobile Internet services solutions. The agreement is intended to help Sun and Openwave simplify the development and deployment of mobile Internet services. The two companies will jointly test and optimize interoperability among their infrastructure products.
Openwave will enhance its microbrowser with the ability to support Java technology-based applications. The company will become part of the Java Community Process (JCP) and will help create new Java classes designed to leverage emerging mobile network technologies. Openwave plans to develop an Openwave Software Developer Kit (SDK) as a resource for the Java and WAP developer communities. This SDK will be made available through a new one-stop wireless developer portal program, providing WAP and Java developers with access to tools and resources from both companies.
Brokat helps enterprises create user-centric services
Several new product offerings from Brokat Technologies provide customers with Java-based technologies for creating the next generation of user-centric services. The software foundation is optimized for building e-business applications that are enabled through wireless access and other delivery channels such as the Web, email, and call centers. The new software packages integrate with existing IT systems.
The Brokat Server Technologies 4.5 product family includes:
- The Brokat Advanced Server based on multiprocess ORB architecture, and the Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE) specification, with the Extreme Clustering feature for high-speed, flexible, and inexpensive processing power
- The Brokat Enterprise Server built on multiprocess CORBA that allows the use of server-side component models and programming languages including CORBA/C++, CORBA/Java, and Enterprise Java Beans/J2EE
- Brokat Server Add-Ons available for the Brokat Advanced Server and the Brokat Enterprise Server; they add functionality to applications with little or no programming costs
Silverstream enhances xCommerce 2.5 to support Web services deployment
Silverstream Software has introduced the latest version of its e-business integration server product, xCommerce 2.5. The new release includes the xCommerce 2.5 Designer and Server and the xCommerce Enterprise Enablers for Java Messaging Service (JMS) and for HTML. xCommerce 2.5 now supports deployment of Web services to a WebLogic J2EE (Java 2 Enterprise Edition) application server. The Enterprise Enabler for JMS allows applications accessible via SilverStream’s JMS and other messaging protocols such as IBM’s MQ Series to be rapidly incorporated into Web services; the Enterprise Enabler for HTML provides access to content and transactions on HTML-based Websites. Version 2.5 also includes a tool suite for designers that delivers enhanced visual integration and improved performance. xCommerce-based Web services are deployed onto J2EE application servers.
Sun releases J2EE Connector Architecture beta
Sun Microsystems has announced the beta version of its Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition (J2EE) Connector Architecture. The J2EE Connector Architecture provides software developers and application server vendors with a solution for integrating J2EE platform-based enterprise applications with existing enterprise information systems, including enterprise resource planning and customer resource management systems. It enhances the J2EE platform by providing a standard architecture and a uniform interface for backend applications for integrating and extending the enterprise information systems that manage valuable business processes and data in an enterprise. The architecture enables scalable access to enterprise information resources, without compromising data integrity or security.
J2EE 1.3 is currently available in beta version. The specification of the J2EE Connector Architecture Version 1.0 is presently available in a proposed final-draft stage as part of the Java Community Process program.
Servertec Foundation Classes allow developers to create Java programs without using C/C++ code
The recently released Servertec Foundation Classes, a collection of Java classes and supporting native libraries, provide Java developers with the functionality to create programs in Java without having to create code in C/C++. Servertec Foundation Classes Version 1.0 supports Windows 9x/Me/NT/2000 and can be used with any Java implementation that supports Java version 1.1 or later and Java Native Interface. Servertec Foundation Classes 1.1 includes:
- The Console class that allows users to read and write characters to the system’s console
- The SFC Drive class that includes methods for determining a drive’s type and for retrieving and setting the drive’s volume label
- An Environmental class that enables retrieval of all environmental variables or for retrieving and setting specific ones
- The File class that includes methods for finding path names of the path object, for retrieving and setting the path object’s attributes, and for deleting, copying, and renaming the path object
- A FileSystem class used to retrieve the path to the Windows and systems directories, to set the current directory, to create temporary files, and to delete, copy, and rename files
- The IO Port class that allows users to read and write the system’s hardware to IO ports
- The RandomAccessFile class that is used to create, access, and update files; it includes methods for locking and unlocking regions of a file and for retrieving and setting a file’s length
Servertec Foundation Classes 1.1 is currently available and is priced on a per-user basis at 0. A Binary subscription is available for 50 and a Source subscription is available for 00.
Pingtel xpressa software features new phone applications
The latest version of Pingtel xpressa software for the Pingtel xpressa phone and instant xpressa softphone includes enhancements to the browser-based user interface, support for SIP user agent services, an updated xpressa development kit, and new applications for Pingtel xpressa phones. The Pingtel software applications for Pingtel phones now include voice mail notification, expanded do-not-disturb functionality, and a new xpression for signing in to the pingtel.net calling service. Pingtel has also introduced the AppDevZone, a place for developers to go for peer advice, online support, and the exchange of ideas. Pingtel software features a customizable Java application environment that allows Java-based phone applications to integrate with PCs and servers connected to the Internet. Pingtel’s Java-based phone application environment includes embedded PersonalJava, Java API, Java application framework for phone control, and programming supported by Java visual development toolkits.
Pingtel xpressa software 9.0 is available immediately and can be downloaded from the Pingtel Website.
New products from Infragistics allow Java developers to create richer applications
Infragistics has released JSuite 5.0 and JFCSuite 5.0, two new suites of Java components that give Java developers added functionality in creating applications. Both suites include version 2.0 of PowerChart, which is available separately. Java developers can use either suite to add a feature-rich presentation layer to their applications quickly and easily. JSuite 5.0 is designed for use in AWT Java development environments or as JavaBeans; JFCSuite 5.0 is designed for use in Swing Java development environments. Both suites provide a full range of interface components and include Java charts and grids and data input components. PowerChart 2.0 features ActiveImage, a technology that allows the developer to use image mapping. The two suites also feature a complete set of UI components designed for the Java developer. These components are ideal for developers who need to migrate legacy applications to Java. The JSuite components can be implemented using applet wrappers and JavaScript or VBScript.
JSuite 5.0 and JFCSuite 5.0 are available immediately. Both have a listed retail price of 95. PowerChart 2.0 is currently available and is sold separately at a retail price of 95.
FioranoMQ 5.0 Java messaging server features improved scalability and security
A highly scalable standards-based Java messaging server, FioranoMQ 5.0 is designed for building distributed messaging-based applications that enable the integration of information across the Internet and other enterprise networks. Version 5.0 of FioranoMQ features pluggable Scalable Connection Management module, Java REALMS security support, and message routing across geographically distributed servers. The pluggable SCM is designed to meet the scaling requirements of high-volume Internet and enterprise messaging-based applications. Customers have a choice between using a Java connection management module and using a Scalable Connection Management module. The Java REALMS functionality helps centralize user authentication sources and provides integration with “security REALMS” on NT and Unix platforms. The FioranoMQ Repeater architecture routes messages across geographically distributed servers by exchanging information from one server to another. FioranoMQ 5.0 is a fully JMST 1.0.2-compliant implementation.
FioranoMQ 5.0 is available immediately and can be downloaded at the company Website.
WebGain and ComponentSource will improve EJB component product offerings
A marketing and technology partnership between WebGain and ComponentSource is expected to result in improved technology and resources for Java component developers. To promote the construction and usage of JavaBean components, the two companies plan to integrate their products and services. The resulting technologies will improve Enterprise JavaBean creation capabilities for Java developers. The two companies aim to simplify enterprise Java development and to accelerate time-to-market for Java applications. WebGain Studio offers an integrated application development environment (ADE) for modeling, developing, deploying, and integrating enterprise Java applications. ComponentSource offers commercial-grade components and related services such as component reuse automation technology. WebGain plans to integrate ComponentSource’s ComponentFind technology with WebGain Studio development modules; this technology will enable Java developers to locate off-the-shelf Java components in the application development process.
Syndicator 2.0 from AgentWare includes new functionality for improved application integration
Version 2.0 of AgentWare’s Syndicator development toolset offers improved functionality for integrating and syndicating applications, for expanding to wireless and broadband platforms, and for leveraging existing Internet infrastructures to build Web services. Featuring mobile and broadband device compatibility, Syndicator 2.0 allows enterprises to develop online initiatives and to deploy them to multiple Internet devices. Syndicator 2.0 enables businesses to build customized applications that easily integrate with existing systems; it provides a business tool for efficiently delivering applications and Web services over the Internet; and it reduces the time, personnel, and infrastructure costs involved in deploying e-business solutions.
