Oracle Corp. announced the immediate availability of the beta version of Oracle XML Developer’s Kit-bundled components, tools and utilities for building and deploying XML-enabled applications to create and maintain e-business marketplaces. In addition, Oracle is also establishing an XML support program to help ensure consistent, reliable and speedy deployments of XML business-to-business infrastructures. The Oracle XML Developer’s Kit (Oracle XDK) is available for developers working in a variety of programming languages. It provides the XML infrastructure and reliability companies need to easily exchange information across systems to create more efficient systems for competing in today’s global business landscape. Specifically, Oracle XDK includes the following: XML Parsers: supporting Java, C, C++ and PL/SQL, the components create and parse XML using industry standard DOM and SAX interfaces. XSL Processor: transforms or renders XML into other text-based formats such as HTML. XML Class Generator: automatically generates Java and C++ classes to send XML data from Web forms or applications. And XML Transviewer Java Beans to visually view and transform XML documents and data via Java components. In order to provide support to Internet developers, XML experts in Oracle Support will provide both phone and Web-based support for Oracle XDK. Support will be free of charge to those with a current maintenance agreement for the Oracle database or Oracle Application Server. In addition, stand-alone support for Oracle XDK may be purchased online-via the Oracle Store at The beta version of Oracle XDK is immediately available for free via the Oracle Technology Network (OTN) at http://technet.oracle.com . The production version is scheduled to be available by the end of the year. www.oracle.com
Month: November 1999 (Page 10 of 13)
Collabria, Inc. announced they will market Collabria PrintCommerce e-business service for printers, print resellers and print buyers through the Ariba Network business-to-business e-commerce platform. Collabria has joined Ariba Supplier Link (ASL) program, the Ariba supplier partner initiative designed to make goods and services readily available via the Internet.
Liquid Software, Inc. and Alexus International, Inc. announced their partnership to deliver Networker LiquidLINK for PeopleSoft. Built on LiquidCENTER, Liquid Software’s PeopleSoft-certified integration engine, Networker LiquidLINK will use an XML-based exchange methodology to create efficient end-to-end workflow between PeopleSoft and Networker workforce applications, including: staffing and position management; requisition, job posting and candidate management; recruiting and hiring; and employee deployment, development and retention. Using secure, role-based access, Alexus Networker empowers recruiters, hiring managers, and salaried and hourly employees to participate in workforce processes from a user-friendly desktop browser. With Networker LiquidLINK, PeopleSoft customers will enjoy this best-of-breed functionality while leveraging the power of their ERP backbone. XML will be central to the LiquidLINK integration. Requisitions created in PeopleSoft will translate into XML documents that trigger Networker workflow, and new hire profiles expressed as XML will feed through PeopleSoft’s Message Agent API into the HRMS. www.liquidinc.com, www.alexus.com
Electronics For Imaging, Inc. announced the company is expanding into Internet appliance products. The first in a new family of products, eBeam, converts any whiteboard into a digital workspace, allowing users to capture meeting-notes and diagrams in real time on their personal computer. Words and images can be viewed, edited, and shared across the world using a web browser. The eBeam system weighs approximately one pound and can easily be carried in a laptop case. Setting up eBeam takes less than three minutes. Any word or image drawn on the whiteboard appears on the desktop in full color. Meeting notes can be exported into a variety of popular formats for easy insertion into documents, spreadsheets, e-mail, and web pages. Meetings can be broadcast over the Internet or corporate intranet in real time with eBeam software. Notes can be printed in full color. This new patented product can be purchased beginning November 15, 1999. Estimated street price is approximately $500.www.efi.com
The Meta Data Coalition (MDC), a not-for-profit organization in the process of standardizing metadata, announced today several new key initiatives as part of its technical meeting Nov. 11. In July 1999, the membership of the Meta Data Coalition ratified the MDC-OIM 1.0, which provides the basic meta-model for representing databases and the interrelationships between them. The new initiatives will extend the model into several key areas such as business models and information portals. This will enable the integration of an even larger set of tools and business applications using the MDC-OIM and its XML interchange format. MDC and OMG Aligning Metadata Standards in the Market: As a result of the Metadata Coalition’s membership exchange with the Object Management Group (OMG), the data warehousing part of the MDC-OIM has been used as a design reference for the OMG’s CWMI (Common Warehouse Metadata Interchange). With the continued co-operation between the technical task forces of both organizations, the metadata standards will be aligned. The MDC is developing a standard for the specification of business rules and the mechanism for exchanging these rules through XML. The MDC has formed an alliance with the Business Rules Group (author of the white paper that defined the first comprehensive business rules classification), who will participate in the MDC technical meetings. The MDC has established a collaboration with the European Commission’s ESPRIT Project ATLAS, which is headed by Unisoft, Greece. ATLAS incorporates technologies for real-time business information systems and plans to use the MDC-OIM Business Engineering and Knowledge Management Models to drive the transition from online to real-time business information systems. Standardized Metadata for Component (Object) Design and Reuse: A component model specifies component interfaces and describes the design, assembly and deployment of components into a system, based on some standard component architectural style. The new model provides the necessary metadata types for these descriptions. The work is based on the meta-model of Catalysis, a UML-based methodology for end-to-end component-based development. Integration of Knowledge Management and Data Warehousing: The integration of user collaboration, document management and business intelligence requires the integration of many different data sources and software services. The MDC-OIM allows a knowledge worker to access information services more easily and supports the use of standard business terminology. Microsoft (an MDC member) will hold a workshop in Redmond, Wash., on Nov. 9-10 to show the integration of information portals through shared metadata using the MDC-OIM. www.MDCinfo.com
Documentum, Inc. announced the appointments of Dave DeWalt to
Ariba, Inc. Siebel Systems, Inc. announced an alliance that will integrate Ariba eCommerce solutions and the Ariba Network platform with Siebel Front Office Applications. As a result of the integration of Siebel Front Office Applications and the Ariba Network platform, organizations can access the Ariba cXML Internet Catalog and link to the supplier’s Web site to search for, configure and select products using Siebel eSales. Siebel eSales, a core component of the Siebel Front Office family, allows suppliers to deploy eCommerce sites that include a rich multimedia product catalog, on-line quotations, a product configurator to configure solutions, and the ability to take orders for business to businesses and business to consumer eCommerce over the web. The Siebel eSales application then transfers the selected products and services into the Ariba user’s electronic purchase requisition via cXML data feeds, which the Ariba application routes for approval according to the buying organization’s business rules. Once a customer places an order with a supplier, all of the specific information associated with that individual customer will be automatically captured in Siebel Front Office Applications and instantly shared across Siebel Systems’ sales, marketing and customer service information systems. Both companies plan to make Siebel Front Office Applications and Ariba eCommerce connectivity available to their customers in Q1 2000. www.ariba.com, www.siebel.com
Optika Inc. announced the latest release of Optika eMedia and the availability of e2e-Business Paks, that unite existing business processes with new e-business activities. In addition to enhancing functionality of the core product, the latest release of Optika eMedia combines e-business tools and technologies with Optika’s high-volume production imaging, enterprise report management and workflow solution. The e2e-Business Paks, which integrate XML InternetForms, EDI, Web EDI and ERP technologies, will enable companies to easily manage disparate transaction information within a single solution. Optika eMedia e2e-Business Paks integrate EDI technology from Harbinger Corporation, ERP technology from J.D. Edwards, and legally binding XML InternetForms technology from UWI.Com. The most recent release of Optika eMedia and all three Optika eMedia e2e-Business Paks will be available on November 19, 1999. The e2e-Business Paks are priced and packaged separately from Optika eMedia. www.optika.com
