Firms Team Up To Accelerate Enterprise Java Application Development For Net Appliances - Bluestone Software, Cyrus Intersoft, Espial Group, PointBase and Psion - Company Business and Marketing

EDP Weekly's IT Monitor, Dec 20, 1999

Bluestone, Cyrus, PointBase, Psion, Espial Push For Adoption Of Java Apps on Mobile Devices

Five leading Java tool and application software companies announced an ambitious initiative earlier this month to accelerate adoption of enterprise solutions to help developers create Java-enabled applications for mobile devices and Internet appliances. The partners are Bluestone Software Inc., Cyrus Intersoft Inc., Espial Group Inc., PointBase Inc., and Psion Inc.

The rapid proliferation of Java-enabled devices, coupled with the ongoing trend toward telecommuting and worker mobility, has created an enormous opportunity for Java developers. And based on the Java software and mobile hardware offerings available under the initiative, members say developers will be able to design, compile, debug, emulate, deploy, and manage Java applications on a full range of devices and Internet appliances. The members already provide a slew of tools and capabilities to support such development activities.

IT research firm Jupiter Communications estimates that penetration of Internet appliances will grow more than tenfold from 3.2 million in 1998 to 37.2 million in 2002 as new generations of TV set-top boxes, wireless PDAs, handheld Internet devices and more hit the market. International Data Corp., meanwhile predicts that in 2002 there will be shipments of 55 million Internet appliances/devices worth $15 billion into an installed base of over 150 million units. Forester Research, looking farthest ahead, forecasts that "ultimately all electronic appliances will be Internet-enabled."

Bluestone is a leading provider of Enterprise Interaction Management software for deploying e-business applications. Cyrus InterSoft is the developer of Speiros, an all-Java Internet operating system. Espial provides Java development tools and enabling technology for embedded Java-based information appliances.

PointBase provides a 100 percent Pure Java database that enables Java developers to create portable multi-threaded data management solutions that can function autonomously on servers, clients, and infrequently connected devices. "From the vantage point of data management, we see this as an excellent way for developers to access the tools needed for extending enterprise data out to PCs and beyond to mobile devices," says Bruce Scott, president and CEO of PointBase.

Psion, a leader in mobile digital computing and communications products, especially in Europe, offers a broad range of Java platforms that offer simple alternatives to PC technology for enterprise mobile use. "Developers have been looking for reliable, fit-for-purpose devices to enable web and Java applications for mobile workers," says Andy Sheehan, business development manager for Psion. "The Psion Series 5mx, netBook portable computer and forthcoming tablet device running Java over EPOC provide a range of platforms for deploying Java applications in the enterprise and ASP markets."

Initiative members point out that Fortune 1000 companies are using Java to move their businesses to the World Wide Web in record numbers. Twenty-three percent of new enterprise application development in 1999 is being done in Java, according to Strategic Focus, a market research firm. IDC projects the enterprise Java market, as reflected by the demand for Enterprise JavaBeans, will expand more than eightfold over the next three years, from $73 million in 2000 to $628 million in 2003.

Editor's Note: Organizations that provide tools and capabilities for developing applications targeting Java devices that want to link up with the initiative should contact Mark Grandcolas, vice president, business development via email at: mark.grandcolas@pointbase.com.