Content Management, XML, and Information Technology News | Gilbane Report News archives 1999

Oracle announced the immediate availability of new XML components, so they now offer XML interfaces to all major development languages-Java, C, C++ and PL/SQL. These new components improve productivity for Internet developers seeking to access legacy information and transport it between business applications using XML. All XML components are available immediately for free download from Oracle Technology Network at http://technet.oracle.com. Two of the new components announced today, Oracle XML Parser for C and Oracle XML Parser for C++, complement Oracle's existing parsers for Java and PL/SQL. Like their predecessors, the C and C++ components support both Document Object Model (DOM) and Simple API for XML (SAX) interfaces and are deployed on the Oracle Application Server to access data in Oracle8 and Oracle8i databases. Also released today are the new Oracle XML SQL Utilities and XSQL Servlet, which facilitate the reading and writing of XML information to and from Oracle databases. In addition, Oracle has released version 2.0 of the Oracle XML Parser for Java, which includes an XML Transformation (XSLT) processor and a new architecture. Version 2.0 of the Oracle XML Parser for Java gives developers the ability to not only transform one XML document into another, but to convert XML to other formats, such as HTML, or to extract data and save it into the Oracle8i database in a single process. All these components can be deployed directly inside Oracle8i or hosted on the Oracle Application Server. www.oracle.com

Serious XML support!

Lotus Delivers Update to SmartSuite
6/22/1999

Lotus Development Corp. introduced SmartSuite Millennium Edition Release 9.5. Key attributes of this version of the SmartSuite Millennium Edition desktop suite include innovations in integrated speech recognition, collaborative Internet functionality that leverages Lotus Notes Release 5, updated file compatibility, integration with Lotus Domino, and time-saving deployment technology in one comprehensive package. SmartSuite Millennium Edition 9.5 is currently shipping in North America in International English to Lotus maintenance and volume-licensed Passport customers and is expected to be available in stores in the U.S. as well as worldwide later this month. SmartSuite Millennium Edition 9.5 is also scheduled to ship in additional language versions including Brazilian Portuguese, French, Italian, German, and Spanish within 30 days, and Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Norwegian, and Swedish within 60 days of the International English version. Current users of SmartSuite, or individual Lotus desktop applications, or users of qualifying competing suites, spreadsheets, word processors, databases, and presentation graphics packages will be eligible to upgrade for an estimated retail price of $149. The price for new users is $399. An upgrade to a standalone version of 1-2-3 Millennium Edition 9.5 will be available to users at $129, and to new users at $315. www.lotus.com

Bluestone Launches Code Blue with No Up-Front Licensing Fees
6/22/1999

Bluestone Software, Inc. has launched Code Blue, a developer program that gives Java, Web, and XML application developers no-initial-cost access to Bluestone's Application Server frameworks for building Internet commerce and data integration applications. Beginning today, developers can register for Code Blue online at www.bluestone.com/code-blue/. The Code Blue program encompasses all Bluestone products, including Sapphire/Web, and Bluestone XML Suite, the company's revolutionary dynamic XML Application Server and toolkit that provides a platform for building, distributing, and deploying XML applications. www.bluestone.com

Extensibility Launches XML Schema Conversion & Authoring Tool
6/22/1999

Extensibility announced the release of XML Authority 1.0, a comprehensive XML schema authoring and conversion tool that enables Web developers to migrate existing data structures to the Internet via XML. This capability accelerates the creation of XML-based industry, corporate and application grammars for the Internet. XML Authority 1.0 converts ODBC data structures, Java classes, COM objects, LDAP schemas, DTD's and XML documents to all major XML schema formats. XML schema syntax output support includes DTD's, XML-Data (IE5 level), the XML Schema Definition Language (XSDL), DCD's, and DDML. XML Authority 1.0 features a graphical user interface that allows users to import or create XML schemas, and view document elements, attributes, entities and other objects in a hierarchical tree. Graphical representation of the document structure also is provided. Collaborative schema development, within and between organizations is enhanced with audience-specific notes and change logging support. XML Authority facilitates the convergence of diverse forms and sources of Internet content. Advanced XML schema features, such as data-typing, enable data-intensive applications to move to XML now. XML Authority provides the ability to adapt SGML DTD's to those constructs available in XML. XML Authority 1.0 is available for downloading now at www.extensibility.com. XML Authority is $99.95, multiple user x-Packs are available: 5-user, $449.95; 10-user, $849.95; 50-user, $3,995.00. A ten use trial version may also be downloaded from the Extensibility site.

Marimba Introduces DocService
6/21/1999

Marimba, Inc. announced the release of DocService, a new application which automates targeted document delivery across corporate intranets, extranets and the Internet. DocService makes it easy for corporations to deliver single documents to single recipients or hundreds of documents to thousands of recipients, all within a managed and organized infrastructure that supports automatic document updating. By making documents easier to distribute and update, DocService helps enable companies to reduce administrative expenses, enhance communications and productivity, and improve customer service. DocService is the first release in a planned portfolio of Marimba applications designed to provide a complete, out-of-the-box solution for a specific Internet Services Management (ISM) challenge. DocService is designed to provide automatic, targeted, bandwidth efficient delivery of documents to recipients, both inside and outside the corporation. Current document delivery mechanisms, such as email, Web servers, document management solutions, or hard copy, each have advantages in specific situations, but they typically lack DocService�s ability to automate the entire delivery and update process for both senders and recipients. DocService works across corporate intranets, extranets and the Internet and the solution can handle virtually any type of document, from simple text files to complex HTML documents that include links, and sub-documents aggregated as a single logical document. DocService can also be used to track critical document delivery since it provides a full audit trail including delivery success or failure and whether or not a document has been viewed. DocService�s Document Repository Module allows corporations to replace the default DocService document storage repository with their existing document repository or database. Once replaced, DocService will deliver the documents contained in the corporate database to the specified DocService categories automatically. DocService is in controlled availability now with general availability scheduled for the third quarter of 1999. The product is priced at $100 per DocService client and $1,000 per DocService server. www.marimba.com

Definitely a new twist for Marimba � one that makes perfect sense. It is however, a very different kind of business for them.

Transparent Language Launches FreeTranslation.com
6/21/1999

Transparent Language, Inc., announced the launch of FreeTranslation.com, a free website designed to translate text and foreign language web pages from English to Spanish, French, German, Italian and Portuguese, as well as to English from Spanish, French and German. FreeTranslation.com uses the TranscendRT natural language translation engine. FreeTranslation.com is a straightforward site for rapid translations where users can obtain the meaning or "gist" of foreign language text and web pages. Users log onto www.FreeTranslation.com and type or paste text directly into a translation box, select a language from the pull-down menu to translate the text to, and then simply click the "translate" button. The translation is completed within seconds. Similarly, web pages are translated by typing or pasting the URL of the web page to be translated, selecting the language for translation and clicking the "translate" button. The translated web page text is displayed while retaining the site's original formatting and graphics. Collaborating with FreeTranslation.com Transparent Language is interested in working with other companies to bring translation capabilities to their web sites. Any company interested in discussing a possible collaboration with FreeTranslation.com should e-mail Transparent Language at links@transparent.com. www.transparent.com.

PHT Corp. Announces Web-Based Clinical Trials Data Management Solution Using XML
6/18/1999

PHT Corp. announced the development of Version 4.0 of its PlexxNet Clinical Network, a web-based, paperless system for direct data capture, data and trial management that supports the full life cycle of clinical trials. This newest version of PlexxNet, with delivery expected in the fourth quarter, is the first system in the clinical trials industry to use XML to enable increased data interchange, archiving, storage, and management. To help define the prototype model for use of XML in clinical trials data capture, PHT has formed a strategic partnership with Lincoln Technologies, Inc., a Boston-area consulting firm led by Chan Russell and David Fram, who developed the first version of Clintrial. PHT and Lincoln Technologies are jointly developing a new DTD for the clinical trials market. In turn, PHT and Lincoln will make the DTD available to the clinical research industry to begin the development of an open and broad XML-based standard for clinical research. www.phtcorp.com

Seacrest Development to Acquire Imagen
6/18/1999

Seacrest Development Corporation announced that an agreement has been reached to acquire Imagen Technologies, Inc. for $450,000. Currently, Imagen specializes in e-mail invoicing interfaces, with a core AXML technology utilizing XML to offer advanced invoicing capabilities in its new Invoy product. Seacrest's acquisition is subject to regulatory approval by the Vancouver Stock Exchange, an independent evaluation of Imagen, a $300, 000 cash payment and $150,000 in stock. www.imagen.com

Softshare Announces Upgrades & E-Commerce Strategy
6/18/1999

Softshare announced ecSuite, a suite of e-commerce products that provides range of solutions addressing the needs of organizations from the small, home-based business to the large enterprise. Softshare's ecSuite provides a total Internet e-commerce environment and, when combined with the Softshare Network, a traditional EDI solution. The entry-level product for the small business is Softshare Vista 2.0 Standard Edition. Softshare Vista is a 32-bit Windows-based desktop EDI application that enables trading partners to electronically create and exchange business documents such as purchase orders, invoices and advance-ship notices. Standards supported include traditional EDI such as ANSI X12, UN/EDIFACT, as well as XML and XSL. Communications are SMTP and POP3 based. Softshare Vista 2.0 Standard Edition is priced at $295 for the single user. Softshare Vista 2.0 Professional Edition adds S/MIME security, advanced document tracking, event-driven document management, trading partner management, multiple mailbox support and direct integration with Softshare's universal data translator, Softshare Delta. The Professional Edition is priced at $995 and includes a five-user license. Softshare Delta is a data translator capable of mapping both to and from EDI, flat file (from both fixed-width and delimited), XML and OLE DB data sources. Delta also supports mapping to free-form text documents, such as HTML, to aid in Web and Internet integration. www.softshare.com.

Poet Uses ODMG Spec for Embedded Object Database in Internet Phone Prototype
6/17/1999

POET Software announced that it applied the new recently proposed Java Data Objects (JDO) specification, a work in process specification in the Java Community Process, for a common API to develop an embeddable, small footprint, 100% pure Java database. Ericsson leveraged the new database technology to develop a 'smart' Internet phone prototype called 'Penny2'. POET has contributed to the JDO specification process through its participation with the Object Data Management Group (ODMG) and as an expert in Java Community Process. The Java Community Process represents the formalization of the open to develop and revise Java technology specifications in cooperation with the international Java community. The specification also provides for interface-based definition of data stores, transactions, selection, queries, and transformation of persistent storage data into native Java objects. For more information on the specification go to: java.sun.com/aboutJava/communityprocess/jsr/jsr_012_dataobj.html. www.POET.com.

Microsoft & Bridge Team on Financial Information XML Schema
6/17/1999

Microsoft Corp. and Bridge Information Systems Inc. demonstrated the results of joint work on an XML-based schema that allows the exchange of various real-time market data types, including stock pricing, pages, and company news and history. The XML schema for real-time market data will be proposed to the Microsoft Windows Distributed interNet Applications for Financial Services (Windows DNAfs) Advisory Council for adoption in the existing message set. Currently, the Microsoft Windows DNAfs architecture has a number of message schemas for composing orders, executions, allocations and settlement details that help bring application integration and interoperability to financial institutions. The adoption and support of standard interfaces provided by Windows DNAfs, combined with the use of XML as the data format, allow operations in portfolio management, order routing, risk management, portfolio accounting and now market data to be easily linked, ensuring integration across application domains in a cross-platform environment. www.bridge.com, www.microsoft.com

J.P. Morgan, Pricewaterhousecoopers Announce IBM to Help with Standard
6/17/1999

J.P. Morgan & Co. Incorporated and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP announced that IBM Corp. would participate on the technical committee for the recently announced Internet-based protocol FpML (XML-based financial products markup language), a specification for electronic dealing and information sharing of financial derivatives. The two firms also announced that IBM would help create FpML seminars for technical and financial services professionals worldwide. The FpML standard, announced last week by J.P. Morgan and PricewaterhouseCoopers, enables Internet-based electronic dealing and information sharing of financial derivatives, initially focusing on interest rate and foreign exchange products. The FpML standard, which will be licensed freely to the technical and financial markets, is based on XML and will allow the Internet-based integration of a range of services, from electronic trading and confirmations to portfolio specification for risk analysis. For more information on the FpML seminars or the FpML standard, see www.fpml.org.

SAP Announces Commitment to RosettaNet
6/17/1999

SAP AG announced its endorsement of eConcert, the multipartner implementation of RosettaNet's electronic commerce standards. As one of the enterprise business software solution members of the managing board of the RosettaNet global electronic commerce standards consortium, SAP says it is committed to implementing RosettaNet XML-based Partner Interface Processes (PIP) to help further extend the current Internet commerce capabilities of its 20,000 customers worldwide by RosettaNet's Feb.2, 2000, industry readiness target date. www.sap.com.

Innovision Announces Nepal XP
6/16/1999

Innovision Corporation announced it will introduce a new XML Protocol (XP) framework, Nepal XP, to achieve universal data interchange. The Nepal XP components include: Nepal XP Language: A language modeling platform that enables full life-cycle development of XML Protocols; Nepal XP Server: A server component that supports protocol-specific frameworks and application development; Nepal XP Client: Thin-client components for browsers, embedded devices and emerging technologies; and Nepal XP Tools. www.innovision.com

Oberon Software & webMethods Partner
6/16/1999

Oberon Software Inc. unveiled its partnership with webMethods, Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, the companies will build on Oberon's Prospero solution and webMethods B2B suite to accelerate cross-enterprise integration of line of business applications across the supply chain. The result of this alliance will be a Prospero building block for the webMethods B2B suite. Oberon will develop and support a building block enabling seamless integration between webMethods B2B and the Prospero environment. As part of Oberon's mission to seamlessly link disparate systems, this new building block will leverage webMethods' cross-platform, XML-based products to deliver an integrated framework for conducting e-business by connecting applications in real time through firewalls over the Internet. webMethods customers will have immediate access to packaged and legacy applications supported by the extensive library of Prospero building blocks. For all the enterprise applications that Oberon supports, Oberon customers are immediately able to securely and reliably deploy cross-enterprise e-business applications. www.webMethods.com, www.oberon.com

UWI.Com's XML Internetforms Now Entrust-Ready
6/15/1999

UWI.Com announced that the InternetForms Commerce System has successfully completed the Entrust test program to achieve Entrust-Ready branding. Users can now take advantage of Entrust Technologies' robust PKI solutions to digitally sign and secure UWI.Com's open, verifiable, and legally-binding XML InternetForms. The open architecture of UWI.Com's InternetForms provides interoperability with every major vendor's digital security products, including digital signatures, smartcards, and biometric tokens. www.umi.com

Novera Software Embraces XML for Application Integration
6/15/1999

Novera Software, Inc announced the latest release of the Company's Novera software suite (formerly known as jBusiness). Novera 4.5 adds XML support, along with a new IBM WebSphere module, to extend enterprise applications to the Web. Integrating applications between customers, partners and suppliers is a time-consuming and expensive process. Novera 4.5 eases this process by encapsulating corporate data locked inside of relational databases, mainframe applications and packaged applications to create standards-based Enterprise Business Objects. Novera then allows these business objects to be exposed as XML to any Web application, providing organizations with a standard format for communicating business information (such as attributes of an order placed over the Web) with partners and suppliers. By combining XML with its EJB- and CORBA-based Enterprise Business Objects, Novera provides the distribution and management capabilities needed for enterprise-class business-to-business electronic commerce applications. Additionally, Novera 4.5 allows the same Enterprise Business Object to be exposed as Java Server Pages (JSP), Java Beans and/or Java Servlets, providing customers with the flexibility to use and reuse the Enterprise Business Objects in any Web application. This reusability translates into significant cost savings and faster time-to-market for organizations looking to deploy multiple Web applications. Novera 4.5 is available immediately from Novera Software. www.novera.com

XML For All Announces Free Scripting Tools
6/15/1999

XML For All, Inc. today announced the release of its first product, the XFA Scripting System, a rapid application development system for XML. Microsoft Windows and Linux versions of the XFA Scripting System are free and can be downloaded from www.xmlforall.com. XFA (XML For All) is a set of XML tags that specify executable actions. Other approaches to processing XML require the use of another language such as Java, Perl, or Visual Basic. With XFA, all you need is XML. XFA was designed from the start around XML and uses XML pervasively. XFA is for developing advanced web sites. An XFA script contains a mix of XFA, XML, and HTML tagged elements allowing web page designers and programmers to share a common language. Its easy to add new executable tags to XFA or to create a custom interpreter for a new XML tag set. The XFA Scripting System includes an XFA interpreter, comprehensive documentation, and a collection of examples, libraries, and tools. The XFA interpreter can be run either under a web server or stand alone. The XFA library system can be used to factor large applications and to organize collections of reusable components. www.xmlforall.com

webMethods Announces Support for FpML
6/15/1999

webMethods, Inc., announced support for the FpML standard (Financial Products Markup Language: www.fpml.org), an open XML-based protocol that supports financial derivatives, e-commerce and data sharing between applications. Led by J.P. Morgan & Co. Incorporated and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the FpML standard will facilitate seamless Internet-based integration for a wide range of client services, allowing the financial services market to take full advantage of Internet connectivity while lowering operational risks. www.webmethods.com