News and New Product Briefs (July 14, 2000)
INDEXHEAD: HMS Software unveils Java-based Palm tool
HMS Software has introduced TimeControl Express, a new timesheet product for Palm devices and Pocket PCs. Written in Java KVM, the package works in conjunction with HMS’s original timekeeping product, TimeControl, and allows users to update timesheets from any location.
TimeControl’s newly added module, the Personal Transaction Server, allows TimeControl Express to communicate with an organization’s TimeControl database. Users press a button on the handheld’s cradle to transfer data to and from a central database using a wireless Internet connection.
A version of TimeControl Express for Palm devices will ship on July 31, 2000. It requires a Palm III or higher, and users must have TimeControl installed. Software for Pocket PCs and other handheld devices will ship later this summer. TimeControl Express is priced at 9.95.
INDEXHEAD: IBM to distribute installation deployment products
IBM has signed an agreement to distribute InstallShield’s full line of software installation deployment products, including InstallShield Java Edition. InstallShield’s products and services enable the distribution, management, and consumption of software and digital content throughout the enterprise via the Internet. IBM and InstallShield predict their collaboration will result in consumer savings and a faster, more consistent installation process. InstallShield and IBM are also developing an update to InstallShield Java Edition. Version 4.0 will offer several enhanced features, including a new interface for cross-platform installations based on Windows dialog boxes.
INDEXHEAD: CTCBridge 5250 SingleSeat offers an easy way to reach critical host data
Core Technology now offers a smaller version, called CTCBridge 5250 SingleSeat, of its original CTCBridge Java emulation. The product uses Java to access host data directly from the desktop. Terminal-based data can be accessed using TCP/IP through a Java Virtual Machine bundled with the emulator. The product will run on any Java-enabled platform.
SingleSeat features:
- Choice of standard screen or GUI with a mouse click
- Standard 5250 emulation features macros, scripts, cut/copy/paste, color control, and keyboard mapping for personal preferences
- Printer pass-through
The SingleSeat edition of CTCBridge 5250 is available now. Core Technology is currently offering a promotional price of 9 per copy.
INDEXHEAD: IBM AS/400e servers set Java server performance record
In a recent SPECjbb2000 Java server benchmark, IBM AS/400e servers earned the top three performance spots. The Model 840 server exceeded 80,000 operations per second with the industry-standard SPECjbb2000 benchmark on the Java 2 platform (J2SE 1.2.2). Using Java Developer Kit (JDK 1.1.8), it performed at 79.250 operations per second.
AS/400e servers ranging from 2 to 24 processors received scores of 7,500 to 80,348 with the SPECjbb2000 benchmark. According to IBM, the Model 840 is 3.6 times faster than the earlier AS/400 servers. In addition, IBM states that version 4 release 5 of OS/400 offers a 65 percent improvement in Java performance over previous versions. New J2SE 1.3 technology for AS/400e servers is expected to be available in late July.
INDEXHEAD: XpressoBoard Z1010 toolkit aims to increase speed for mobile devices
Zucotto Systems has unveiled XpressoBoard Z1010, a hardware-development toolkit for Java wireless applications in Zucotto’s Jacknife Development Suite. The package enables users to integrate and test applications on Xpresso, a Java wireless chip for mobile devices. Zucotto officials expect that XpressoBoard Z1010 will increase speed and lower power rates for mobile devices, thereby allowing future mobile devices to offer quick access to multimedia, streaming video, and other Java-based wireless applications.
INDEXHEAD: GemStone and SoftWired offer JMS support to wireless applications
GemStone Systems and SoftWired will now package SoftWired’s iBus JMS with the latest update of the GemStone/J application server, allowing increased support for wireless devices. The iBus JMS is designed to increase the reliability of e-commerce transactions on wireless devices running PalmOS, Symbian, or Windows CE. By utilizing the GemStone/J J2EE technology, iBus will offer users additional scalability, security, and mobility.
GemStone/J 4.0 will ship bundled with iBus in late summer 2000.
INDEXHEAD: Sun Microsystems releases Jiro technology
Sun’s Jiro Technology 1.0 is now available to developers who manage storage area networks (SANs). Based on the Java 2 Platform, Jiro Technology is the first product to utilize the Federated Management Architecture Specification, designed via a forum in the Java Community Process program.
The Jiro 1.0 release features Jiro Runtime environment binary code, a software-development kit, and the Jiro Technology 1.0 source code. The binaries may be openly redistributed, and the source code is free for research and development. The code includes a bundled SNMP manager, GUI-based tools, and a security one-way hash. Jiro uses a FederatedBeans component architecture and does not require a dedicated management server.
Sun is expected to offer Jiro technology training courses starting this summer. In September, Sun will begin Jiro technology support for Sun StorEdge arrays and Sun StorEdge Instant Image software. Sun also plans to release a Jiro-enabled version of the StorEdge Component Management software later in 2000.
INDEXHEAD: HOBLink JWT offers access from centralized Windows terminal servers
HOBLink JWT, HOB Inc.’s Java-based product for Windows terminal server connectivity, is now available in the US. Using a standard browser interface, HOBLink JWT offers access to data and applications from centralized Windows terminal servers. The package offers quick set-up time and reduced implementation costs vis-ý-vis other thin-client products.
HOBLink JWT is compliant with Microsoft RDP and runs on any Java-enabled browser. It also supports the CITRIX ICA protocol. HOBLink JWT includes load balancing, encrypted security features, and network connections through dial-up, Internet, or LAN and WAN configurations.
This product is shipping now. Cost varies depending on the number of users, ranging from 43 for a one-user license to 4,613 for a 250-user license. Special discounts are available for qualified educational institutions.
INDEXHEAD: Pingtel xpressor for Java application developers unveiled
Pingtel has announced the release of the Pingtel xpressor Program, designed for Java developers building applications for the Pingtel xpressa voice-over-IP (VoIP) phone. This support program provides Pingtel’s Java developers with the tools to quickly and easily build, test, and deploy Java applications that use Pingtel xpressa. Pingtel xpressor includes the following:
- A free Java VoIP soft phone, so developers can build applications without Pingtel xpressa
- A Sun AWT-based toolkit containing GUI widgets and a user interface style guide
- Java Telephony API and Pingtel Simple Telephony APU documentation
- Sample code and an xpressa programmer’s guide
- Access to pingtel.net, an Internet-PSTN calling service that allows application testing and collaboration with other developers
