Antares Alliance Group launches Edge, the first DCOM Web development framework based on Microsoft's Visual Basic for Applications

Business Wire, Dec 9, 1996

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 9, 1996--

VB Developers Can Now Quickly and Easily Build

and Deploy Dynamic Web Applications

Antares Alliance Group today announced Edge, the first object-oriented Web development and execution framework based on Microsoft's Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). Edge is an open framework that allows VB developers to build and deploy dynamic, object-oriented Web applications that can be seamlessly integrated with existing systems. Support for both standard application and emerging Web-centric technologies makes Edge easy to use and speeds the delivery of new Web applications.

"As the industry's first VBA-based Web solution, Edge enables organizations to leverage existing skill sets and technology investments," said Olivier Thierry, vice president and general manager of the Edge LOB, Antares Alliance Group. "While every other vendor is out trying to build the next greatest Web tool, we've pulled together the industry's most compelling technology standards into a robust application development framework. The Edge architecture is designed to be open so that applications built today will be protected far into the future and not dependent upon proprietary technologies that may eventually become obsolete."

Edge provides developers with a self-contained development and execution environment for delivery of highly interactive Web solutions on Windows 95, NT 4.0 Workstation and NT 4.0 Server platforms.

Microsoft's VBA is integrated directly into Edge's development and execution environments allowing VB developers to leverage their existing skill sets to build powerful Web applications. In addition, events written in other languages such as C and Java can be integrated through external event mapping. External data access is provided to ODBC databases, the Microsoft Jet database engine and OLE-compliant data providers via ActiveX data objects.

Edge - An Open and Standards-Based Framework

The Edge framework is an open standards-based implementation of DCOM objects, allowing the developer to incorporate HTML, JAVA, ActiveX, VB Script and C . An ActiveX class library of HTML Web components, which is exposed through property sheets and wizards, provide the developer with reusable application building blocks to speed new development. Cross-functionality with Microsoft Office, ODBC data access and dozens of other applications from Microsoft and third-party developers via ActiveX technology is also provided.

Edge's object-oriented execution engine implements Web applications dynamically as a collection of runtime DCOM objects. This unique server-side implementation enables Web applications to be executed as persistent objects capable of generating straight HTML or incorporating client-side component connectivity. In addition, the flexible runtime capabilities ease the administration and management of Web applications.

System Requirements, Pricing and Availability

Antares Alliance's Edge software operates on Microsoft NT 4.0 and Microsoft Windows 95 platforms. Edge applications also support any CGI, ISAPI and NSAPI enabled Web server. The minimum memory requirement is 16 MB RAM for the Personal Edition, with 32 MB recommended for the Workgroup series. The available hard disk space requirement is 20 MB. For a single execution engine/single development machine, the Personal Edition Edge Developer Kit is priced at $299 and will be available for early release in January. The Edge Workgroup Series starts at $995 and will be available for early release first quarter, 1997.

Antares Alliance Group, a global software company formed by equity partners Amdahl Corporation and EDS, develops and markets a unique suite of highly-scalable software solutions to help individual developers and organizations build and execute object-oriented Web applications and enterprise-level client/server applications. Antares Alliance, founded in 1993, has operations in 20 countries. Over ten percent of the world's fortune 1000 organizations and government agencies already rely on Antares Alliance's object-oriented software for building and running their business critical applications. Internet users can access more information at www.edgesite.com

-0-

Note to Editors: Antares, Antares Alliance and Edge are trademarks of Antares Alliance Group. Microsoft, Visual Basic, ActiveX and Windows are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/ or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Barbara C. Morrow

Antares Alliance Group

972/447-5717

bmorrow@aag.com

OR

Fred Bateman

FitzGerald Communications Inc.

617/494-9500, ext. 298

fbateman@fitzcomm.com