Art Technology Group introduces Dynamo 2; First Java-based Internet application engine enables rapid deployment of large-scale, database-driven Web applications

Business Wire, May 13, 1996

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 13, 1996--Art Technology Group (ATG) today introduced Dynamo 2, the first, open Internet application engine based on the Java programming language.

Dynamo 2 enables Web developers to rapidly prototype, build, and deploy scalable, high-volume, and database-driven Web applications requiring dynamic HTML page generation and personalized content.

"Dynamo 2 grew out of our experience in the design and development of high-end networked applications for customers such as MCI, NTT Data, Stream International and Harvard Business School," said Jeet Singh, Art Technology Group's co-founder and CEO.

Dynamo is centered around Sun's Java programming language, enabling application developers to rapidly build content-rich applications that are easily ported to other platforms, while leveraging the increasing supply of third-party components and development environments written for Java.

A comprehensive development framework based on open standards, Dynamo 2 allows Web developers to embed native Java code (not Javascript) into HTML files to extend functionality on the server side. Java code is compiled on the server to customize every page: everything from the visual characteristics of the page to behaviors of traditional client-side Java applets. Unlike some application environments, Dynamo 2 supports most HTTP servers and is not browser-dependent.

Dynamo 2 is designed for corporations, Internet service providers, or on-line services, as well as large-scale content publishers, who are developing complex Web applications requiring tight integration with enterprise systems. Some of the sites currently being built using Dynamo 2 include:

-- an electronic commerce application for Stream International -- an Internet-based site for the sale, distribution and support of software;

-- a communications, collaboration and world-building site for NTT Data, one of the prime providers of Internet access in Japan;

-- a network-based educational system for the Harvard Business School, featuring a sophisticated, content-management framework.

Dynamo is particularly well-suited for creating personalized content. "By dynamically generating Web pages on-the-fly, Dynamo 2 provides ways for developers to create customized pages for every single visitor, based on his or her profile, activity within the site, Internet "location" or browser type," said Tim Sloane, a director at the Boston-based analyst firm Aberdeen Group. "This makes it the ultimate tool for using the Web to market to an audience of one."

Dynamo 2 Development Environment

The Dynamo 2 environment is ideal for creating large, complex, content-rich Web sites. It includes:

-- Dynamo Engine: The Dynamo engine ties together an integrated object-oriented database, server-side objects, an application framework and the programming environment. It is a server-based application that is compatible with major HTTP servers, including NCSA, CERN, Netscape, and Microsoft using the CGI, NSAPI, or ISAPI connection protocols;

-- Dynamo Gears: These are pre-built reusable components that can be used as is or customized in the Dynamo environment. The initial set of Gears includes DynaChat (Java Applet-based chat), Session Tracking, Web-O-Grams, Send Mail, Activity Monitor, People Watcher, Live Links, Annotation and Site Broadcast. Discussion Thread and Dynamic Advertisement Gears will be available in June. ATG will continue to develop new Gears, and anticipates strong aftermarkets for Gears from Java and Dynamo developers;

-- Dynamo Integrated Database: Dynamo 2 includes its own integrated object database, as is planning support for developers to seamlessly switch to the Versant object-oriented database for greater scalability.

-- SQLGate: Dynamo 2 includes SQLGate, a Java-to-ODBC interface that provides immediate connectivity to SQL relational databases supported by ODBC. (Including Oracle, Sybase, Informix, and most major legacy system RDBMS's).

-- Dynamo Foundation Classes: Dynamo applications are built using the Dynamo Foundation Classes, a Java class API which provides developers with an extendable, object-oriented interface to Dynamo's powerful features.

Pricing and Availability

Dynamo 2 is available immediately for professional developers. Pricing for Dynamo 2 is $5,000 per license, and includes the Dynamo 2 license, all the elements listed above, and one year of support. Ongoing support can be purchased at $750/year per license. Support is available via the Web, where users can get all up-to-date technical information, receive technical support, and download new Gears and releases. Dynamo 2 supports Solaris 2.3, 2.4, and 2.5, Windows NT 3.51, and IRIX 5.3. It supports CGI as well as Netscape API (NSAPI). Support for Microsoft's ISAPI is scheduled for June. Other APIs to various connection modules supporting OSes as well as HTTP servers are planned for release.

Art Technology Group, Inc. (ATG) is a premier media, technology and design firm with the mission of creating defining products and services for the information society. ATG has established a reputation for conceptualizing and building compelling applications for a wide variety of audiences -- from educational applications to the corporate workplace, and from retail environments to on-line services and entertainment. ATG's past and present development clients include: MCI, Apple Computer, Chiat/Day Advertising, MIT Media Lab, Gemini Consulting, NTT Data, Stream International, Harvard Business School, MovieFone, and Cybersmith. In addition to its Products Division, ATG maintains a Consulting Group that undertakes custom development and design projects in its strategic markets. Based in Boston, ATG can be reached at (617) 859-1212, at info@atg_dynamo.com, or at http://www.atg-dynamo.com