the following news release about a new client/server push software update system raises some interesting questions about object-oriented databases like informix?
my question, for anyone out there, is whether the informix technology is more suited to running this kind of application? can the code updates etc. be considered objects?
to me, this release describes a killer internet application and informix might be best suited to support it.
WebLogic's Tengah Becomes First Application Server to Implement Software Distribution and Management; Company's Zero Administration Client Helps Control Desktop Total Cost-of-Ownership
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 24, 1998--WebLogic, a pioneering developer of technology for enterprise Java applications, today introduced a breakthrough tool that enables organizations to dramatically reduce client/server costs by automating the distribution and management of software.
Known as the Tengah(TM) Zero Administration Client (ZAC), the new software is packaged with WebLogic's Tengah Java application server. Tengah ZAC can be used to distribute application software, system software, and other information to desktop and server systems throughout an enterprise network, and even across business-to-business extranets or the Internet.
Today, software installation, configuration, and maintenance are among the largest components of an organization's total cost of ownership for desktop systems. With Tengah ZAC, users can transparently download and install necessary software over the network through a web browser. Tengah ZAC automatically ensures that every client system is kept up-to-date without any additional user intervention.
"Software distribution is one of the biggest headaches in client/server computing," said Scott Dietzen, vice president of Marketing at WebLogic. "With the growth in the number of applications that users need, client software maintenance is becoming more expensive than desktop hardware and operating systems management. Organizations are forced to waste substantial time and money ensuring that thousands of client systems have the right software. WebLogic's Tengah is the industry's first application server to provide a commercial solution to this challenge."
"To hold down cost of ownership, many Java adopters have restricted client software to browser applets and have thus been unable to take advantage of the full power of Java for their client applications," said Paul Ambrose, CTO and co-founder of WebLogic. "Java applets must run inside the browser, and this 'sandbox' execution model can be inadequate for enterprise applications. Tengah ZAC gives you the best of both worlds -- a client that requires zero administration, combined with the rich functionality of a full desktop application. With ZAC, an enduser starting with just a web browser can completely install and configure an application desktop by merely clicking on the right page."
Tengah ZAC is packaged as (1) a web-based administration tool for the publication of applications and (2) extensions to the Tengah Java application server that distribute updated application components. In order to ensure consistency between client and server software versions, Tengah can be configured so that the client application updates itself from the Tengah Server each time the application is launched. To reduce network bandwidth, only changed components are updated. Unlike proprietary software distribution technologies, Tengah ZAC can be accessed using a standard browser, has an extremely small footprint for rapid setup, and complies with W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) proposed standards, including DRP (Distribution and Replication Protocol) and OSD (Open Software Distribution).
ZAC can even be used to install a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) on a client system. If an application has been tested with a particular set of JVMs, ZAC can search the local machine and automatically download an appropriate JVM if one is not already available. This can substantially reduce the testing and deployment overhead for Java applications.
"We are already using Tengah ZAC to fully automate software distribution for GoodTimes, our Internet-based consulting practice management system," said Lane Sharman, CTO of Open Doors Software. "ZAC allows our customers to install GoodTimes as well as the associated Java platform through a web browser, and then they never need to worry again about upgrading that software or getting defect fixes. ZAC lets us give our customers a fully functional client application without any of the management overhead of traditional client/server software. ZAC functionality is, quite simply, a critical requirement for any ISV or enduser seeking to deploy Java client applications."
Tengah ZAC can be used for much more than just desktop application software: with ZAC, server-side software or even non-Java system software updates can automatically be pushed wherever they are needed. Tengah ZAC does not require the use of a proprietary graphical interface; instead, applications are accessed through the browser or from the desktop.
Practical Details
Tengah ZAC, due for commercial release within thirty days, is packaged with the Tengah Java application server. Tengah is available to Independent Software Vendors (ISVs), OEMs, and corporate application developers, and can be downloaded from the WebLogic website at weblogic.com. Tengah runs on any standard Java platform. Pricing starts at $10,000 for a server license.
About WebLogic
Founded in 1995, WebLogic is a leading supplier of Java application servers and Java-to-database integration solutions. WebLogic is the oldest independent Java-based company, and has more than 600 licensed corporate customers, including American President Lines, NuSkin, and Xerox. WebLogic's Tengah Java application server is being bundled with Novell's Open Solutions Architecture for NetWare. Approximately 50% of all Java ISVs build applications that depend on the WebLogic platform. WebLogic works with industry leaders, including Intel, Novell (NASDAQ:NOVL), Sun (NASDAQ:SUNW), Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), Hewlett-Packard (NYSE:HWP), Oracle (NASDAQ:ORCL), Informix (NASDAQ:IFMX), and Cambridge Technology Partners (NASDAQ:CATP). The privately held company is headquartered in San Francisco, Calif. Information about WebLogic's products, services, and strategic technology partners can be found at the WebLogic website at weblogic.com, or by contacting the company at 415/659-2600.
CONTACT:
Dave & Bairey Communications
Kurt Foeller, 415/882-9164
kurt@dbcomm.com
or
WebLogic
Soyeba Ahmed, 415/659-2665
soyeba@weblogic.com |
