Columns
Product briefs
ADT Staff
Pantero SDS Suite
Pantero Corp. has released the Pantero Shared Data Services (SDS) Suite, a product
aimed at reconciling data inconsistencies between enterprise business systems.
It is said to provide companies with a standard way to design, deploy, and manage
the rules that govern data usage and interpretation. The company bills the product
as an alternative to hand-coding rules to reconcile differences in data. Pantero
SDS is said to automate this process through the implementation of shared data
services. It is based on the company's Exchange Modeling technology, which lets
common XML messages, and the rules that govern data quality and interoperability,
be captured and linked as meta data and then encapsulated in meta data-driven
services. This can help to reduce the cost of reconciling data from diverse
sources, decrease the time and cost necessary to respond to changing market
conditions, and improve data quality and access. The SDS Suite comprises the
SDS Editor, for graphical and declarative development of shared data services,
and the SDS Engine runtime environment. Pricing for Pantero SDS Suite developer
licenses starts at $15,000 for a 5-pack; pricing for runtime licenses starts
at $40,000 per CPU.
Pantero Corp.,Waltham, Mass.,
www.pantero.com
GSX Server 3
VMware Inc. has announced Version 3 of its GSX Server virtual infrastructure
software, which is aimed at helping enterprise IT administrators consolidate
servers and streamline development and testing operations. It supports Windows
and Linux platforms and features improved performance, management and portability.
The product partitions and isolates servers in secure, transportable virtual
machines that can run Windows, Linux or NetWare OSs and apps. These VMs can
be managed remotely, provisioned automatically and standardized on a uniform
platform. Improvements include 3.6 GB memory per VM to support larger server
apps, teamed network adapter support, and better disk and networking performance.
New management and portability features include VirtualCenter-based customization
and provisioning of server images/configurations; Windows integration for performance
monitoring and event logging of VMs; automatic virtual machine start-up and
shutdown; PXE provisioning for booting and installing OSs into new virtual machines
over the network; and the ability to migrate VMs from GSX Server to data center-class
ESX Server. Pricing for GSX Server 3 starts at $2,500 for 2-CPU servers, and
is free for current GSX Server customers with support contracts. A trial version
can be downloaded from the company's Web site.
VMware Inc., Palo Alto, Calif.,
www.vmware.com
SQL Server 2000 Reporting Services
Microsoft Corp. has announced the availability of SQL Server 2000 Reporting
Services, a reporting tool aimed at providing real-time information from any
data source to any device. Reporting Services is an addition to SQL Server,
part of Microsoft's Windows Server System data management and business intelligence
platform. The product features integrated analytics that include online analytical
processing; data mining; data warehousing; extract, transform and load tools;
and reporting functionality. SQL Server 2000 is a business intelligence platform
that helps users to build custom business intelligence applications. Reporting
services is said to provide an open and extensible reporting platform that industry
partners can use to broaden their offerings without building reporting infrastructure.
A valid SQL Server 2000 license is required for each server on which Reporting
Services is deployed.
Microsoft Corp., Redmond, Wash.,
www.microsoft.com
Crystal Version 10
Business Objects has released the Version 10 suite of Crystal products, which
combines Crystal Enterprise with Crystal Analysis and Crystal Reports. Version
10 is said to extend the value of reporting to users by providing greater end-user
interactivity and tighter integration with Microsoft Office. Broader app integration
options are provided through a new Java report engine and advanced controls
for Visual Studio .NET developers. The suite is also said to increase the performance
and scalability of the Web-native reporting infrastructure with performance
gains across Windows and Unix platforms, large-scale admin capabilities and
a new architecture for data access.
Business Objects, San Jose, Calif.,
www.businessobjects.com
DeZign for Databases Version 3.1
Datanamic Solutions has released Version 3.1 of its DeZign for Databases data
modeling tool. The product is a database development tool that uses an entity
relationship diagram; and full support for Entity-Relationship modeling techniques
is provided. DeZign for Databases visually supports the layout of entities and
relationships, and automatically generates most SQL and desktop databases. New
features in Version 3.1 include support for views and Firebird database creation,
an improved logarithm for automatic relationship line positioning, and the ability
to export MS SQL Server comments on tables and columns to the SQL script. The
price is $229.
Datanamic Solutions B.V., Hazerswoude, The Netherlands,
www.datanamic.com
Report Sharp-Shooter 1.6
Report Sharp-Shooter 1.6 is a royalty-free report building engine for .NET.
It is capable of creating complex reports from multiple data sources and featuring
various report expert export options (PDF, HTML, EMF, BMP, JPG, Excel, CSV and
TXT). The components library is 100% .NET-compatible and features support for
ADO.NET hierarchical data model with relations, WinForms and ASP.NET Web forms
and a data-binding model analogous to ASP.NET. The software package includes
Win/ Web Forms viewers and end-user designer for both report templates and final
(rendered) documents. Report Sharp-Shooter can be used to create both bound
and unbound reports with an unlimited number of master-detail relations. Report
Sharp-Shooter 1.6 is distributed electronically over the Internet; a free trial
version is available.
9Rays.NET,
www.9rays.net/
SoftArtisans OfficeWriter
SoftArtisans OfficeWriter is a Web reporting product that opens, modifies and
delivers native Word and Excel reports over the Web without the need for Microsoft
Office on the server. OfficeWriter is said to deliver reports in the format
that users want, requiring no end-user training. The product maintains all of
Excel's and Word's formatting/styles and advanced features such as VBA and macros.
OfficeWriter unites SoftArtisans ExcelWriter and WordWriter in a package that
supports both Java and Windows platforms.
SoftArtisans Inc., Brookline, Mass.,
www.softartisans.com
ShellPlus 2.3
ShellPlus 2.3 is a shell extension components package that enables Delphi and
C++ Builder developers to write eye-pleasing, feature-rich applications with
the help of shell/ namespace extensions. The intuitive component package handles
all required methods and interfaces, allowing developers to focus on writing
application code. The product also offers a set of VCL components to extend
Windows Explorer with third-party applications without having to implement all
operating system-level required interfaces.
ShellPlus Development Group,
www.shellplus.com
ComponentOne Doc-To-Help 7 Standard and Professional versions
ComponentOne Doc-To-Help 7 Standard and Professional versions let users create
HTML Help, cross-platform HTML-based Help, JavaHelp, WinHelp, Microsoft Help
2.0 and printed documentation from a single set of Word documents. New features
in the professional version include natural search, a modular TOC utility, an
image map editor, a theme designer and a context string editor. A yearly subscription
service is also featured with the professional version and includes new version
releases, free updates and upgrades, select product betas, savings on training,
30-day phone support and e-mail support for a year. Doc-To-Help 7 Professional
is priced at $999.95. Doc-To-Help 7 Standard is $499.95.
ComponentOne LLC, Pittsburgh,
Pa.,
www.componentone.com
FlowBuilder Version 3.0
FlowBuilder Version 3.0 employs a dual Portlet/ Servlet controller architecture
that loads dynamic pages as generated Java classes. These pages can be designed
through visual component assembly. Version 3.0 includes a new "Eclipse" interface;
a four-step app wizard that generates and deploys a basic J2EE app with workflow
in minutes; improved Web app server deployment; automatic server/portal authentication
that lets developers leverage the authentication capability of the underlying
Web app server or portal; and XSP beans for charting and app navigation.
Trilog
Group Inc., Woburn, Mass.,
www.flowbuilder.com
ASN1C Version 5.6
ASN1C Version 5.6 is an ASN.1 compiler that produces C, C++ and Java source
code from Abstract Syntax Notation One (ASN.1) source specs. ASN.1 is an international
standard for describing interoperable binary message formats. Developers can
use the code generated by the compiler to encode/decode ASN.1 messages conforming
to any of the encoding rules defined in the standards. Version 5.6 includes
NISCC vulnerability advisory notice patches, improved XML support for generation/validation
of XML docs based on a given ASN.1 spec, and support for Java table constraints.
Objective Systems Inc., Exton, Pa.,
www.obj-sys.com
World Wide Web Windowing Toolkit (W4T) Eclipse Plug-In
The World Wide Web Windowing Toolkit (W4T) Eclipse Plug-In provides Java developers
with a visual method of creating Web user interfaces for their apps. Developers
utilizing the W4T Eclipse Plug-In compose Web front ends that serve as interfaces
to Java server apps. They can use pre-built elements (components or "building
blocks"), create their own building blocks by composition, and integrate them
with events and Java functions. The components use rendering kits to deliver
customized output for all standard browsers, including Internet Explorer, Netscape
Navigator and Mozilla. Developer licenses are $129 per seat, while runtime licenses
start at $199.
Innoopract, Karlsruhe, Germany,
www.innoopract.com
SftTabs/DLL 4.5
SftTabs/DLL 4.5, a tab control product, is specifically designed for use with
C and C++ applications as well as Visual C++/MFC. Version 4.5's tab control
supports several styles and tab locations, and tabs can use different colors,
display images, use special fonts and display multi-line text with various alignment
options. SftTabs/DLL 4.5 supports ANSI and UNICODE character sets on all supported
platforms, Windows 95 through Windows Server 2003, allowing for easy migration
of apps. A single developer license costs $599.
Softel vdm Inc., Punta Gorda, Fla.,
www.softelvdm.com
TeemTalk and ezSnap
Neoware has announced TeemTalk host access software and its "ezSnap" snap-in
software for the Citrix ICA 7.0 Client. The latest version of TeemTalk allows
companies to access applications running on mainframes, midrange, Unix and Linux
systems from any device connected to a Citrix MetaFrame XP Presentation Server.
"ezSnap" enables user access from IBM, Boundless and Neo-ware thin clients to
the most recent enhancements to Citrix MetaFrame Presentation Server for Windows,
providing secure and instant access to enterprise apps and information on demand.
Neoware Inc.,
King of Prussia, Pa.,
www.neoware.com
PrismTech's OpenFusion Notification/JMS
Bridge PrismTech's OpenFusion Notification/JMS Bridge is based on OMG's internetworking
spec (CORBA Notification Service/JMS Internetworking Specification). PrismTech's
implementation can link Enterprise JavaBeans (EJBs) deployed in any application
server, whether it is IIOP-compliant or uses other object transport protocols.
This is said to ensure that PrismTech's solution is generic. This approach contrasts
with other proprietary solutions that make EJBs CORBA Notification-aware. These
approaches require either the implementation of some Notification Service APIs
at the EJB level or the implementation of the JMS APIs at the CORBA application
level.
PrismTech, Burlington, Mass.,
www.prismtechnologies.com
Westbridge XML Message Server (XMS) 3.0
Westbridge XML Message Server (XMS) 3.0 now includes advanced Web Services Management
(WSM) capabilities. XMS 3.0 is said to be the premier implementation of the
Service Views capability. Service Views enable customers to achieve the reusability
and interface control that is central to Service-Oriented Architectures (SOAs).
Also included with the latest version is SmartParser, a series of performance
improvements that provide more than 10 times improvement for some XML-intensive
operations. XMS can also automatically generate XML schemas from the WSDL of
services and enforce the integrity of each message. Westbridge Technology has
also added a wizard-driven "getting started" process as part of a "Self-Start"
productivity initiative.
Westbridge Technology, Mountain View, Calif.,
www.westbridgetech.com
SpectrumSCM
SpectrumSCM is now integrated with Microsoft Visual Studio .NET and the open-source
Eclipse platform. The integration with Microsoft Visual Studio .NET gives developers
using Microsoft Visual Studio .NET programming languages, including Microsoft
Visual Basic.NET, Microsoft Visual C# .NET, Microsoft Visual C++ .NET and Microsoft
Visual ASP .NET, direct access to advanced software configuration management
features, including check-in/check-out, visual diff/merge, pattern-based branching
and direct integration with SpectrumSCM's issue management functionality, all
from within the Microsoft Visual Studio .NET environment. The integration of
SpectrumSCM with Eclipse brings advanced software configuration management features
not only to the Eclipse IDE, but also to all applications and plug-ins that
are built for, or on top of, the Eclipse platform.
Spectrum Software Inc., Atlanta, Ga.,
www.spectrumsoftware.net
Reasoning code inspection services
Reasoning has announced enhancements to its Java, C and C++ code inspection
services. The latest enhancements to Reasoning's Java code inspection services
include the addition of a new defect class: Database resource leaks can be applied
to specifically identify database connection leaks, statement leaks and result-set
leaks. The latest enhancements to Reasoning's C and C++ inspection service was
expanded to discover and eliminate "dead code" -- code in an application that
is unreachable or unexecuted -- as well as object management leaks that are
caused by incomplete constructors and operator anomalies. Contact the company
for pricing information.
Reasoning Inc., Mountain View, Calif.,
www.reasoning.com
Visible Systems' Razor
Visible Systems' Razor product allows software developers and configuration
managers to drive every facet of the development process from its point of origin.
Razor is an integrated suite of tools that combines a tailorable issue-tracking
system with traditional configuration and build coordination capabilities. The
product integrates requirements definitions so all check-ins and projects can
be related to requirements. Each requirement, bug report or change request is
entered in terms of an issue and assigned a unique issue number. Issues can,
in turn, be associated with files that are under version control. When it is
time to gather files to perform a release, the files are then identified by
their issue number. Razor is based on a floating license scheme whereby usage
is not locked to particular clients or users. Prices start at $683 per license
for a 10-user license and include every platform at no additional cost.
Visible
Systems Corp., Lexington, Mass.,
www.visible.com
Red Hat Inc.'s new Provisioning Module
Red Hat Inc. has announced a new Provisioning Module in Red Hat Network that
will allow Red Hat Enterprise Linux users to dynamically deploy, configure and
manage multiple new or existing Linux systems. The Provisioning module lets
users manage the complete life cycle of their Linux infrastructure and includes
features such as OS provisioning, configuration management, multi-state rollback,
kickstart configuration tools and RPM-based app provisioning.
Red Hat Inc.,
Raleigh, N.C.,
www.redhat.com
Unicenter Web Services Distributed Management
Unicenter Web Services Distributed Management (WSDM) is a solution for monitoring
and managing Web services across and beyond the enterprise. Unicenter WSDM is
the latest addition to Computer Associates' end-to-end management solutions
that help users build enterprise-class reliability and security into their Web
services applications and supporting infrastructure. By automatically discovering,
testing and monitoring Web services, Unicenter WSDM is said to enable firms
to closely track a range of performance indicators and rapidly respond to service
interruptions.
Computer Associates International Inc., Islandia, N.Y.,
www.ca.com
MySQL Administrator
MySQL Administrator is an open-source tool with a GUI designed to provide easy
management and monitoring of MySQL database servers. The product is a graphical
front end for administering and monitoring MySQL servers. It integrates database
management and maintenance into a single environment with an intuitive GUI.
MySQL Administrator is designed to simplify and maximize the effectiveness of
a database administrator's key tasks, such as server configuration, user administration
and database health monitoring. MySQL Administrator is offered under MySQL's
"dual license" business model. It will be provided at no cost under the free
software/open-source GNU General Public License (GPL) and also under a commercial
license aimed at software vendors and other commercial MySQL customers.
MySQL AB, Seattle, Wash.,
www.mysql.com
Veritas Cluster Server and Veritas Foundation Suite
Veritas Cluster Server and Veritas Foundation Suite software, which now includes
Veritas File System and Veritas Volume Manager, are now available on SUSE Linux
Enterprise Server. In addition, Veritas Cluster Server for Linux is now available
for VMware ESX Server. Veritas Cluster Server support for VMware is available
at no additional cost to current Veritas Cluster Server for Linux customers
with support and maintenance contracts. For new customers, pricing starts at
$1,995 per Linux client. Pricing for SUSE Linux starts at $1,500 per CPU for
Veritas Foundation Suite and at $1,995 per CPU for Veritas Cluster Server.
Veritas Software, Mountain View, Calif.,
www.veritas.com
Changepoint Version 9.0
Changepoint Corp. has announced Version 9.0 of its portfolio and IT business
management solution. Version 9.0 is said to simplify governance processes around
IT portfolio investment planning through the inclusion of automated scoring
models that provide an objective calculation of an investment's potential fit
according to each organization's unique criteria. In addition to existing bi-directional
integration to Microsoft Project Desktop, Version 9.0 also offers bi-directional
integration to Microsoft Project Server.
Changepoint Corp., Toronto, Ontario,
www.changepoint.com
Marimba Six
Marimba Six gives enterprises dynamic control of heterogeneous IT resources
and a scalable, secure way to manage clients, servers, apps and operating systems.
New features include patch management and a new software usage solution that
enables tracking and reporting of software installation and usage on corporate
systems.
Marimba, Mountain View, Calif.,
www.marimba.com
IPCheck Server Monitor 4
IPCheck Server Monitor 4 is a Windows-based software and multiplatform Application
Service Provider (ASP) service that allows users to detect network and Web site
failures early, minimizing downtime and avoiding economic impact. It is available
from Paessler GmbH. The product combines a monitoring ASP service and an installable
software package. As an ASP service, smaller businesses have the ability to
outsource their servers and Web site monitoring to Paessler's network technicians.
Notification comes via e-mail, pager/SMS or ICQ as soon as outages occur and
Paessler manages all system maintenance and software updates. The IPCheck Server
Monitor software is available for download in a freeware version that can monitor
three basic sensors and may be used for free for personal and non-commercial
use. Full licenses are available starting at $99. The IPCheck Server Monitor
ASP service also offers free accounts that include free monitoring of up to
two sensors. Full accounts for more detailed monitoring are available starting
at $9.95 per month per server.
Paessler GmbH, Fuerth, Germany,
www.paessler.com
Version 5.2 of CyberGuard's firewall
CyberGuard Corp. has begun shipping enterprise-class firewall/VPN appliances
that enable organizations to deploy critical enterprise applications and emerging
technologies while ensuring maximum network security and throughput. Version
5.2 of CyberGuard's firewall enables security professionals to create security
policies based on deep inspection of HTTP-based applications, streaming media,
VoIP, and applications that employ SOAP and XML. New features include enhanced
mail/Web server security and performance options, advanced Denial of Service
attack prevention and enhanced VPN functionality.
Cyberguard Corp., Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.,
www.cyberguard.com
Canto Cumulus 6
Canto Cumulus 6 manages multimedia data and introduces
Embedded Java PlugIn (EJaP) technology, which allows customers and system integrators
to customize the available out-of-the-box solutions to meet their specific needs.
All assets can be managed and made accessible centrally in one window, allowing
users to create virtual asset repositories.
Canto Software Inc., San Francisco,
Calif.,
www.canto.com