Category: Content technology news (Page 563 of 638)

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

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

Intraspect Software, Inc. introduced c-business solutions for implementing collaborative business practices within and beyond the enterprise. With the latest release of its product, Intraspect Knowledge Server 3.0 (IKS 3.0), Intraspect offers a platform for developing and deploying c-business solutions for web-based collaboration. IKS 3.0 includes several new features that make it easier to use, more reliable and more scalable by a factor of four, accommodating thousands of users per server. IKS complements the full suite of Microsoft desktop products, including Microsoft Outlook, Office 2000, and Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0. The new release is easier to manage, and features enhanced personalization and customization. IKS 3.0 enables users to quickly personalize their environment by providing template engines that make customization even faster. In addition, IKS 3.0 leverages the latest standards – including Active Directory, LDAP, XML, WebDAV, and FTP – to allow integration into the enterprise. IKS 3.0 is expected to be available next month. The product will be available directly from Intraspect or through its channel partners. Pricing depends on the number of users. Enterprise deployments range from approximately $160-300 per user. IKS 3.0 can be purchased directly or licensed through subscription. www.intraspect.com

ConneXt, Inc., a Seattle-based software company focused on delivering billing and customer care solutions to the utility market, announced that its ConsumerLinX solution is using and supporting XML for all needed application programming interfaces. www.connext.com

Extensibility Inc., announced XML Authority 1.1. XML Authority is currently used by of organizations to build XML based e-business vocabularies and grammars. The acceleration of e-business depends heavily on the use of XML schema to ensure the integrity of automated transactions and information interchange. XML Authority 1.1 is available for immediate download from Licensing is available for single-users ($99.95) and in multi-user x-Packs (5-user $449.95; 10-user $849.95; 50-user $3,995.00.) www.extensibility.com

E-Z Data, Inc. and InSystems announced a cooperative marketing agreement. This agreement, which will include both joint marketing and development initiatives, will result in a solution that will enable insurance agencies, agents, and brokers to leverage the Internet to reduce policy issuance time from weeks to days, while improving their ability to service and market to their customers. With E-ZData and InSystems’ solutions working together, information will be shared between the two systems to instantly trigger the application process automatically populating all necessary forms with correct customer information. Through this joint solution, agents and brokers will be able to eliminate manual processes, significantly streamline the capture and accuracy of applicant information, and reduce policy issuance time from weeks to days. In addition, agencies, agents and brokers will be able to facilitate their one-to-one relationships by delivering information on additional products and services personalized for their customers. www.ez-data.com, www.insystems.com

Technology Solutions Company (TSC) announced it has acquired CourseNet Systems for an undisclosed amount. TSC will integrate CourseNet into the company’s Knowledge Management business unit to meet the growing demand for software and services that help companies manage important information. CourseNet’s XML-based software allows users to create and reuse “learning objects,” which can be integrated into multiple training programs with minimal effort. With this software, TSC’s Knowledge Management suite of tools allows companies to author, deliver, and administer online training to identify experts, collaborate in the development of new knowledge, and share knowledge with the entire organization and even the entire supply chain. www.techsol.com