Vertical Computer Systems Inc. announced the official beta release of two of its MLE (Markup Language Executive) Solutions Suite products: the XML Catalog Enabler Agent and the XML Database Agent. The XML Catalog Enabler Agent is directed toward B2B e-commerce applications, and the XML Database Agent is directed mainly toward internal operations of organizations. Both products enable advanced interoperability in B2B, B2G and B2C e-commerce. They are server-based tools that allow data to be fetched from an SQL relational database via http. Both work on Windows NT, Windows 2000 and Linux. The XML Catalog Enabler Agent will enable vendors to enter the e-procurement business quickly via XML. The general availability for these two products is scheduled for Sept. 30, 2000. www.vcsy.com
Day: August 2, 2000
IBM and Vignette Corp. announced a global strategic alliance to meet growing e-marketplace demands in retail, financial and NetGen (dotcom) sectors. The alliance integrates Vignette’s V/5 E-business applications with IBM’s WebSphere e-business platform. Together, the two companies will supply customers with e-business solutions that grow market share, reduce deployment times and provide the infrastructure for each stage of e-business development. The integration will enhance the family of WebSphere products, including WebSphere Commerce Suite and WebSphere Application Server, which currently provide a fully integrated middleware solution. The multi-year agreement includes joint marketing, services and helping Vignette to integrate on WebSphere Application Server. IBM and Vignette’s initial focus will be in the retail, financial and “Netgen” (dot.com) industries, and both plan to expand to other industries in the coming months. The two organizations will jointly market Vignette V/5 E-business applications and the IBM WebSphere Application Server Platform, WebSphere Commerce Suite, IBM’s DB2 Universal Database and are optimized for IBM’s RS/6000 and Netfinity servers. Dedicated engineering, product marketing and quality assurance teams will manage the integration and optimization of the entire integrated e-business solution. The Vignette V/5 E-business applications will fully support the IBM Application Framework for e-business – a roadmap for integrating Internet technologies with traditional information technologies. In addition, IBM Global Services will grow its worldwide services practice focusing on Vignette V/5’s support of eCRM and e-commerce from 100 IBM services professionals to in excess of 500. Prospective customers will be able to visit IBM’s Business Innovation Centers that will feature Vignette V/5 E-business applications. IBM experts in Vignette products will help customers identify, build, integrate, and deploy solutions that meet their specific business needs. The IBM ‘ Vignette alliance is part of a developer initiative through PartnerWorld for Developers in which IBM forms strategic relationships with application developers. Under the initiative, developers gain access to new customers and revenue opportunities through IBM’s extensive marketing, sales, and solutions resources. At the same time, developers lead with IBM’s middleware, server platforms and services. www.ibm.com, www.vignette.com
TIBCO Software Inc announced it has agreed to acquire Extensibility, Inc. in a stock transaction valued at approximately $100 million. Extensibility software is used to design and process XML schemas, computer “vocabularies” that enable e-businesses to create and exchange complex digital documents and validate electronic commerce transactions. Combining TIBCO’s current XML and schema management capabilities with Extensibility’s leading technologies will allow customers to create entirely new types of software applications to more quickly and easily conduct business over the Internet. In addition to incorporating Extensibility’s technologies into its own products, TIBCO will continue to market and enhance stand-alone Extensibility products. Completion of the acquisition is subject to customary regulatory review. The acquisition will be accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. TIBCO is in the process of evaluating the allocation of the purchase price to the assets to be acquired, which will include in-process technology that will be written off in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000, and goodwill and intangibles, which will be amortized over the benefit period. www.tibco.com, www.extensibility.com
