Magic Software Enterprises announces comprehensive Internet strategy for World Wide Web applications; Magic WebLink solution for Internet available Wednesday; currently in use at Gannett

Business Wire, March 13, 1996

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 13, 1996--Magic Software Enterprises (NASDAQ:MGICF) Wednesday announced a three-phase Internet strategy for building applications on the World Wide Web.

This comprehensive strategy extends Magic's overall mission of providing developers with a rapid application development environment for both client and server platforms including three-tier architecture and application partitioning schemes to the Internet and World Wide Web.

The immediate deliverable piece of the strategy involves offering a free solution, available Wednesday, to build Magic server-based Internet applications. This Magic WebLink, which is available now for downloading from Magic's WWW site (http://www.magic-sw.com) is already being used by major U.S. corporations.

"Magic views the World Wide Web as a critical vehicle for application development and deployment as we head into the next century," said Uzi Yair, CEO for Magic Software Enterprises.

"The Internet has surpassed all expectations as an information medium and Magic views the Internet as a strategic target platform on which to develop client and server commercial applications. We are proud of the fact that we are not just announcing hype. Uniquely among tool vendors, we can point to Magic-based corporate applications already on the WWW."

Later phases of Magic for the Internet will integrate Magic WebLink directly into the Magic application development environment and expanding its feature set. It will also provide developers with the power to interface with and utilize the Java language for multi-tier client and server computing over the Internet.

Phase One: Magic WebLink

Available immediately, Magic WebLink is an add-on tool for Windows NT servers which enables Magic developers to immediately begin building and deploying two and multi-tier Internet-based applications. The Magic WebLink tool enables Magic applications to communicate with popular Internet Web Server products such as Netscape's Commerce Server or Microsoft's Information Server.

Magic WebLink provides the interface technology needed to link a Magic application process to a Web Server. Magic WebLink provides developers with significant functionality including: Automatic program invocation, Request queue handling, Variable Repository and a Pipeline for HTLM output.

Gannett Media: A Magic WebLink Installation In Production

A corporate user already integrating Magic WebLink technology into a Magic application is Gannett Media Technology Int. (GMTI)(http://www.gmti.com). GMTI is a subsidiary of Gannett Corp., a $4 billion publisher of over 92 daily newspapers, including USA Today.

Using Magic, GMTI has created AdLink, an automated data-entry program for advertising production. Real estate offices enter property data and AdLink creates ads and uploads them to newspapers.

Prospective buyers, in addition to seeing the advertisements in print, can call the AdLink system at the newspapers and receive property information via phone, fax and computer voice system. GMTI has used Magic WebLink to extend AdLink's services to the World Wide Web, allowing prospective buyers to search for a new home from their desktop computer.

"The Magic WebLink has enabled us to offer our customers access to the Internet, enhancing our competitive edge and marketing reach," said Stephen Burns, vice president of GMTI. "With everyone racing to get their technology to the Internet, there is a tremendous amount of confusion and marketing hype. Magic is offering a real solution today that is helping our customers benefit from the advantages of the Internet."

Phase Two: WebLink Built Into Magic

Magic WebLink will be enhanced and integrated into the Magic RAD environment in the next version of Magic. The product, Magic WebLink PLUS will be enhanced to embed Magic application output including static text, images and tables. It will automatically generate HTML forms for display on the Web Browser so developers will not need to learn HTML.

Developers will be able to take advantage of the features in the Magic environment with which they are already familiar. Magic WebLink PLUS will contain a Magic WebDispatcher which will enable the control and execution of multiple Magic applications over the Web. This will enable developers to build robust, distributed applications and allow for the partitioning of application logic to improve performance and shorten end-user response times.

"Magic is among the first tool vendors to offer a working Internet-enabled link for developers," said Mitch Kramer, consulting editor with the Patricia Seybold Group. "Their strategy addresses head-on the demands of developers today and is well-positioned to address the real issues of building sophisticated, three-tier applications."

Phase Three: Java Integration

The advanced phase of Magic's Internet strategy involves the integration of emerging Web technologies into the Magic development environment. Currently, Magic is planning to provide developers with the ability to take advantage of Web Browser functionality and Java technology in its development system.