In-Depth Features


New ways to test packages

Off-the-shelf software has changed the world of application integration. Top tool suppliers are forging hooks to ease the pain and to set the stage for better integration testing across the board.

When in the cycle does formal testing begin?

A recent survey by the Cutter Consortium finds that ‘generally speaking, testing starts late.’

Dow Chemical uses Optane to fine-tune SAP

Company uses the Optane tools to alert them when SAP is unavailable to users.

Book excerpt: A Web services guide

Web services expert Anne Thomas Manes pushes through the hype to explain the particulars of the emerging technology and how it can best be used by development organizations.

A sampling of testing tools

A sampling of some available testing tools on the market today.

Oil and water

While SCM tools have improved, that does not mean that developers are any happier.

Toolmakers await “wireless revolution”

Vendors continue to support testing of wireless applications for the inevitable upswing in development.

SCM: Through the maze

Demands on software shops place hundreds of developers, scattered over multiple locations, together with a slew of code, revisions and patches. Software configuration management tools are changing to confront this labyrinth of complexity.

Big three stake a claim in the corporate IM space

AOL, Yahoo and Microsoft have staked their claims in the potentially lucrative market for corporate IM with products targeted at the enterprise.

MDA: IBM Rational unveils RAD tool

The Rational Rapid Developer is a visual, model-driven development environment that is aimed at making life easier for developers working on J2EE business apps, according to IBM reps

MDA: What is in the standard?

The OMG’s Model-Driven Architecture (MDA) standard incorporates, among others, Unified Modeling Language, the Meta-Object Facility, the XML Meta-Data Interchange and the Common Warehouse Meta-model.

The changing world of change management

Experts say systems can manage more than software development and advocate change management systems for all IT assets.

Tools for the code generation

The emerging Model Driven Architecture steers clear of the pitfalls that killed its predecessor, CASE. Its backers note that emerging MDA tools do work as promised, clearing a key hurdle in the effort to gain developer support.

Java IDEs further coverage of life cycle

Toolmakers large and small bring out tools that add life-cycle management for Java developers.

New teams required for Web services management

Emerging tools will likely require developers and LOB managers to join forces with system administrators and DBAs.

IM invades the enterprise

IM’s sudden emergence in the enterprise is prompting analyst warnings for IT units to quickly take on security. IM can open a new doorway for spam and viruses.

New Approaches to App Lifecycle Management

Most of today's tools don't address ALM well. Eclipse and Visual Studio change that equation.

Special Report: Borland -- Competitors view Borland's life-cycle plans

Web-only material related to the subject of our June 2003 cover story (Borland Software).

Outsourcing: An IT fact of life

As pressure grows to do more with less, IT managers turn to an expanding outsourcing industry that promises to build better software at lower costs.

Should you hire an outsourcing advisor?

For organizations that are nervous about making the right outsourcing choice, there are outsourcing advisory firms available to help.