News

Gluecode serves up an open-source 'cuppa Joe'

• By John K. Waters
• December 1, 2004

The open-source stack got a little higher this past week with the launch of a new Java platform for rapid application deployment. Called JOE, and developed by El Segundo, Calif.-based Gluecode, the new offering is built on core open-source technologies from the Apache Software Foundation, including the Pluto portal framework, the Geronimo J2EE application server, the Derby database (formerly Cloudscape), and the Agila business process management (BPM) engine.

JOE is designed to provide what the company calls 'an affordable, rapidly deployable, production-ready base from which to build mainstream Java applications.' As an open-source application infrastructure company, Gluecode is out to provide a 'credible open-source alternative' to the J2EE infrastructure products offered by vendors like BEA, IBM, and Oracle, says the company's founder and CEO, Winston Damarillo. Started in 2001, Gluecode played a role in the development of Apache's Geronimo.

Gluecode's 'managed open source' business model delivers technical support and maintenance services for open-source infrastructure tools. The JOE release is another step in the march toward broader commercialization of open source, Damarillo says. He called the product 'a major milestone that will help accelerate enterprise migration to reliable open source products' that 'underscores our commitment to providing companies with enterprise applications that offer optimal features and scalability, coupled with the flexibility of open standards.'

Gluecode's JOE is available in standard and open editions. The Open Edition (OE) is an integrated Apache-based open source stack that includes the most commonly required feature set for simple application development. It comprises the Geronimo app server, JSP and servlet container, Apache Agila BPM services, the Derby database, and the Pluto portal framework. Gluecode JOE OE is available as a free download and ships under the Apache License 2.0.

Gluecode JOE Standard Edition (SE) is designed for developers that want to use the Gluecode platform in a supported production environment. Built on the same integrated open source stack from OE version, JOE SE provides additional features, including a graphical process designer, a management console for configuration and control, and optional clustering support.

Gluecode offers its SE binary as a free download, while the source code and source updates are available to Gluecode subscribers Gluecode JOE is certified and optimized to run on IA64 architecture.

Gluecode subscribers receive technical support and access to source code and source updates. Annual subscriptions start at $3,500. Versions of the Standard Edition with Web-tier and full application clustering will be available in Q1 2005.

More information is available at www.gluecode.com.