Compuware Corporation Selects Open Software Associates' netDeploy as Web-based Application Distribution Solution

Business Wire, Nov 10, 1997

NASHUA, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 10, 1997--

netDeploy's component delivery, installation and update capabilities

complement UNIFACE component-based development environment

Open Software Associates (OSA) and Compuware Corporation today announced a technology and marketing relationship in which OSA's netDeploy product will be utilized for the incremental delivery of application components developed with Compuware's UNIFACE. netDeploy 3.0 will be endorsed as the Internet-based distribution solution for UNIFACE application components. In addition, the two companies will identify opportunities for product enhancements that will bring future versions of their products closer together.

"UNIFACE features a very powerful component approach, but an effective route for distributing these application components is critical to deliver on the promise of component-based development," said Frank Slootman, Vice President of the UNIFACE product line at Compuware. "netDeploy will provide us with a very comprehensive distribution solution."

Among the many benefits that Compuware's UNIFACE customers will gain with netDeploy is the ability to distribute UNIFACE application components over the Internet, intranet or extranet. netDeploy also features automated incremental updating and support for a wide range of client platforms including Microsoft Windows 95, NT and 3.1, Solaris, AIX, HP-UX; MacOS and OS/2. netDeploy can deploy applications from any Web server, regardless of platform. "With UNIFACE, Compuware has really set the pace for component-based development," said Graeme Greenhill, President of Open Software Associates, Inc. "Compuware and OSA share a common commitment to simplifying the process of developing, deploying and delivering powerful platform-independent solutions. We look forward to netDeploy distributing UNIFACE applications to millions of desktops world-wide."

UNIFACE

The UNIFACE application assembly environment allows large IT users to successfully implement complex, business-critical applications in the midst of business and technology change. UNIFACE embraces the three critical dimensions shaping strategic applications (component-based development, component-based deployment and component-based delivery). Combined with Compuware's track record of implementing large-scale, strategic applications, UNIFACE enables the construction, assembly and deployment of component-based applications for distributed environments, including the Internet and client/server.

netDeploy 3.0

netDeploy consists of two components, the Packer and the Launcher. Application providers use the Packer to prepare applications for deployment. For end-users, the Launcher makes downloading, installing, and running an application as easy as one click on a web page link. From then on, the Launcher automatically makes sure that all components of deployed applications are up to date. Updates are fast and efficient, since only the changed components are downloaded and installed instead of re-installing the entire application.

netDeploy 3.0 is the first Electronic Software Distribution product to support the OSD specification proposed as a standard to the World Wide Web Consortium, ensuring investment protection for application providers. netDeploy 3.0 also offers users enhanced security and control features, such as digital signature authentication, ensuring end-users that all components delivered for an application come from a known and trusted vendor.

About Compuware Corporation

Compuware Corporation is a leading worldwide provider of software products and professional services that help information technology professionals efficiently develop, implement and support the applications that run their businesses. Founded in 1973, Compuware today ranks as one of the largest independent software vendors in the world. The Company's products have been licensed by nearly 11,000 organizations worldwide. The Company's professional services organization has a staff of over 4,600. Compuware, with revenues approaching one billion dollars, is the world leader in client/server development technology. For more information on Compuware, please contact the corporate offices at 800-521-9353. Compuware also can be found on the World Wide Web at www.compuware.com

About Open Software Associates

Open Software Associates (OSA) is a multinational software company specializing in products and professional services for Internet application development and deployment. OSA pioneered the concept of Internet and Intranet application deployment and automated differential updating with the first version of netDeploy in December 1995. Many of the world's largest companies also use OSA's OpenUI(TM) product and professional services in producing widely-deployed business-critical applications. Introduced in 1991, OpenUI is a platform-independent GUI development tool for Internet-based client/server applications.

OSA was founded in 1990 and is employee-owned. U.S. headquarters are in Nashua, New Hampshire, with international headquarters in Melbourne, Australia and European operations in Frankfurt, Germany. For further information see www.osa.com