IBM delivers tools to build web-based server applications — The next-generation "Killer Apps"

Business Wire, May 5, 1997

SOMERS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- May 5, 1997--IBM announced today an integrated line-up of new and upgraded VisualAge(a) tools that will help businesses combine Internet technologies with enterprise systems. The tools are designed to build today's server "killer apps" -- scalable web-enabled business applications, that require the ability to update, not just access, enterprise data.

IBM's award winning VisualAge(a) application development technology has been enhanced with additional language interoperability, modeling and management capabilities to extend existing and new, server-based applications and data to the Internet.

Announcements today include:

-- VisualAge for Smalltalk(a) Version 4; VisualAge for Smalltalk

Server for MVS/ESA V4; VisualAge for Smalltalk Web

Connection V4

-- VisualAge Generator V2.2; VisualAge Generator Templates

Version 2.2

-- VisualAge for COBOL V2

-- VisualAge Tivoli(a)-ready Toolkits

-- VisualAge DataAtlas(a) Multiplatform V2

"E-business has eliminated the separation between server-based and web-based applications. To create web-enabled server killer apps, our customers need tools that interoperate throughout the multiple tiers of the enterprise, and IBM VisualAge family answers that need," said John Slitz, vice president, application development marketing, IBM. "VisualAge is a more complete toolset than anything offered by any other software vendor."

"I continue to be impressed by the level of IBM's serious commitment to making VisualAge one of the most comprehensive, cross-platform development environments available on the market today," said Steve McClure, director of Object Tools Research at IDC. "These latest products allow enterprise developers to take advantage of state-of-the-art tools and Java to build and extend server-based applications for the enterprise."

Building and Designing the Killer App

Soon to incorporate Java Beans(b) as the common component model across the entire family, IBM VisualAge has the ability to seamlessly integrate existing legacy systems into web-based applications. The tools in the VisualAge family, including VisualAge for Java and the solutions announced today, make server-based killer applications possible.

VisualAge for Smalltalk

Available this week is VisualAge for Smalltalk V4, now on MVS(a) and other IBM and non-IBM platforms (see complete list of supported platforms at end of release). VisualAge for Smalltalk V4 has enhanced support for building multi-tier business applications that take advantage of emerging technologies such as the World Wide Web, ActiveX(b), OLE(b), and OLE controls (OCX(b)). The new VisualAge for Smalltalk is the first version certified by Microsoft(b) as "Designed for Windows."

Using VisualAge for Smalltalk, Columbia Gas Distribution Companies in Ohio was able to develop a new core billing system called the Gas Transportation System (GTS) in six months. "To say onlookers were skeptical about us succeeding with this project is an understatement," said Keith Hardin, director of I/S, Columbia Gas Distribution Companies. "However, we met our target and developed a system that guarantees fast delivery of accurate customer bills. We anticipate that the GTS will save the company an estimated $2.5 million in its first full year of operation. In my book, that's a success story to be proud of."

VisualAge Generator

Also announced are VisualAge Generator Version 2.2 and VisualAge Generator Templates V2.2. VisualAge Generator now features the JavaBean(b) component model and Java client, allowing any Java client to access VisualAge Generator server applications. Programmers can use the tool's Intelligent Dynamic Application Partitioning to redistribute applications for improved performance of complex multi-tier client/server solutions. VisualAge Generator allows developers to scale and deploy applications across mixed hardware/software environments. Using VisualAge Generator Templates, developers can generate applications from database definitions without writing any code, dramatically reducing development time.

The State of California Department of Health Services used VisualAge Generator to develop ISIS (Integrated State Information System), which supports approximately 1,800 users who assist 1.2 million low-income families. The ISIS system realizes approximately $2.0 million in benefits each month ($48 million each year) of full operations. "We needed an environment that would allow us to make substantial changes to applications quickly, and VisualAge Generator environment met our needs," said Mike Virga, ISIS application design project leader.

VisualAge for COBOL

To help companies leverage their existing COBOL systems, IBM will deliver VisualAge for COBOL V2 later this month. The tool will be available on Windows NT(b), in addition to OS/2(a), and will incorporate the unique visual programming paradigm of the VisualAge family. The product's powerful remote edit/compile/debug feature allows developers to update and debug their MVS applications from a workstation, without the need to duplicate and manage the host environment on the desktop. The professional edition of VisualAge for COBOL has also been enhanced to help customers with the Year 2000 transition.