NeXT Software Demonstrates WebObjects and SAP R/3 Integration; NeXT Develops a Prototype Providing Internet and Intranet Access for SAP R/3 Developers

Business Wire, May 14, 1996

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 14, 1996--NeXT Software, a leading producer of custom application development software for the Internet and Enterprise, announces an integrated WebObjects application for SAP R/3 customers, enabling them to vend their applications on the Internet or on corporate Intranets.

SAP developers can vend their mission critical R/3 applications for finance, manufacturing, etc. and take advantage of the power of the Web using NeXT's WebObjects. NeXT Software will demonstrate this new technology at the SAP Technical Developer Conference in Orlando May 15-17 in Booth No. 18.

"NeXT is working closely with SAP to help deliver powerful applications via the Internet and corporate Intranets with our proven WebObjects technology," said Mitchell Mandich, vice president of worldwide sales, NeXT Software. "NeXT, as a leader in web development and deployment tools, is excited about working with SAP in providing world class, scalable, reliable, enterprise-wide solutions that will allow SAP customers to have access to the Web."

SAP customers using R/3, the market leading software for managing information and logistics within an enterprise, in conjunction with WebObjects can now use the Internet/Intranet as its open platform. For example, users can now transparently access SAP applications through the Internet via their favorite browser and HTTP server while preserving their investment in SAP systems.

About The WebObjects Product Line

The WebObjects product line offers a truly cross-platform and language independent development environment for building interactive server-based web applications for both the Internet and the Enterprise. NeXT's WebObjects product suite is designed to meet a variety of business needs -- WebObjects, the free entry-level product, allows organizations to easily build dynamic websites, WebObjects Pro gives developers the ability to compile reusable components, scale across multiple machines, and access databases (price: $2,999), and WebObjects Enterprise brings a corporation's entire computing infrastructure to the Web (price: $24,999).

WebObjects is designed to work with existing infrastructure enabling corporations to expand the reach of their systems to the Web without having to rewrite data and applications.

-- WebObjects is operating system-independent spanning both UNIX and Windows environments including Microsoft's Windows NT, SunSoft's Solaris, and NeXT's NEXTSTEP with more coming soon.

-- WebObjects works with industry standard data sources such as Oracle, Informix, and Sybase databases and, through third party software, can support mainframe and legacy applications.

-- WebObjects is browser independent working with standard browsers such as the Netscape Navigator, Microsoft Internet Explorer, and Mosaic.

-- WebObjects is HTTP server independent, OLE compatible, takes advantage of native server APIs, such as Netscape's NSAPI, and can use existing programming languages such as PERL, C, and C languages.

WebObjects Supports Current and Emerging Web Technologies

WebObjects offers highly interactive, dynamic web applications and is designed to interoperate with emerging technologies such as VRML, Shockwave, Real Audio, Java, and JavaScript standards. WebObjects allows you to reach people with real-time information about flights, personal banking accounts, and product demonstrations.

WebObjects Quickly Delivers Interactive Web Solutions

WebObjects allows web developers to deliver dynamic web applications faster than with traditional development tools. Customers can reuse components and can modify several applications at once by editing a single component. This environment translates into a large competitive advantage that leads directly to increased revenues and greater marketshare.

WebObjects also enables corporations to scale and manage their websites. Webmasters simply plug in additional resources without having to take their machines and applications off line -- this is critical for corporations experiencing "grid lock" on their site due to increased traffic. WebObjects facilitates this by managing incoming HTTP requests and distributing web application processes across multiple machines.

WebObjects Covers Security

WebObjects offers a secure solution for corporations building commerce-enabled applications for the Web. NeXT has leveraged existing security standards such as Netscape's SSL on the HTTP server. NeXT also provides authentication services via Security Dynamics' SecurID token cards, offering enterprise network security through one-time password identity verification.

NeXT Software, Inc.

NeXT delivers an open development environment for building custom applications for both the World Wide Web and the Enterprise. NeXT's development software adds value to today's business by shortening the development cycle, working with an organization's existing technology, supporting current and emerging standards, and enabling organizations to grow and change with ease.

Providing its customers with a combination of award-winning software and professional services, NeXT delivers real-world solutions.