The 4D Server ships with a set of development tools, including 4D Compiler, which translates a 4D application into fast-executing machine code. The product also supports team development by letting multiple developers access the same database application at the same time; any changes made to the application are sent to the client workstations automatically. Supported network protocols include TCP/IP, IPX/SPX, and ADSP (AppleTalk); 4D Server can support one or all of these protocols simultaneously.
The Windows version runs on a 386, 486, or Pentium machine with Windows 3.1 or later, and at least 8MB of RAM; or Windows 95 with 8MB of RAM, or Windows NT Workstation or Server with at least 16 MB of RAM. The Macintosh version requires a Macintosh with System 6.0.7 or later, and a minimum of 2MB of RAM. 4D Server starts at $1295, and the 4D Server 1.5 Macintosh upgrade is $495. Contact ACI US Inc., 20883 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino, CA 95014; 800-881-3466, 408-252-4444, or fax 408-252-4829.
Good news for companies struggling with implementing an enterprise-wide systems management strategy: Platinum Technology Inc. (Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.) announced the Platinum Repository/Open Enterprise Edition. The client/server toolset includes data administration and enterprise-wide metadata management tools. It also serves as a universal relational model for heterogeneous RDBMSs to interact and share information, and distributes resources to the appropriate platforms via a three-tiered client/server architecture. (Contact Platinum Technology Inc., 708-620-5000 or fax 708-691-0710.)
On the data warehousing front, Thomson Software Products (Norwalk, Conn.) announced RP/Server, an enhanced version of the company's earlier Must 1.0 product. RP/Server is a middleware tool that offers mainframe-to-desktop data delivery for companies building a data warehouse or migrating to a client/server environment. (Contact Thomson Software Products, 203-845-5000 or fax 203-845-5252.) Information Builders (New York) announced a Unix-based version of its Enterprise Copy Manager, which automates the entire process of building and maintaining a data warehouse, and offers data extraction, transformation, and transportation facilities. (Contact Information Builders Inc., 212-736-5533 or fax 212-268-7470.) Finally, SAS Institute (Cary, N.C.) announced the "Orlando" release of the SAS System for Data Warehousing, named after the city in which it had its first major preview. Currently in beta, the Orlando release offers support for OLE 2.0, ODBC, and Lotus Notes, as well as enhanced data access and connectivity facilities. (Contact SAS Institute Inc., 919-677-8000.)
Sybase has been getting its share of press lately as Business Objects Inc. (Cupertino, Calif.) announced that it will support Sybase System 11. (Contact Business Objects Inc., 408-973-9300.) PeopleSoft Inc. (Pleasanton, Calif.) announced plans to deliver its client/server business applications on Sybaes SQL Server 11. (Contact PeopleSoft Inc., 510-946-9460.) The Database Solutions Co. (Richmond, Va.) is adding DBScope for Sybase version 2.0 to its Total Performance Management Suite. (Contact The Database Solutions Co., 800-933-7668, 804-794-0354, or fax 804-794-0813.)
SelectStar is shipping version 1.5 of its relational OLAP tool StarTrieve. Oriented toward mainstream business users, the product features enhanced drill-down, data ranging, and data grouping capabilities. (Contact SelectStar, 212-243-8413 or fax 212-627-9784.) Another OLAP tool provider, Kenan Technologies Inc. (Cambridge, Mass.), announced the availability of Acumate ES version 1.3. New are an upgraded multidimensional database, the Acutrieve analysis and reporting application, and support for new server platforms including IBM's RS/6000 running on AIX. Acumate ES clients now support Windows 95. (Contact Kenan Technologies Inc., 617-225-2224 or fax 617-225-2291.) For those looking for more information on OLAP itself, Business Intelligence Inc. (Norwalk, Conn.) has released The OLAP Report, an independent and comprehensive guide to OLAP applications, technologies, and products that are offered in the United States and Europe. (Contact Business Intelligence Inc., 800-690-6527, 203-899-7920, or fax 203-838-4350.)
The book ships with a CD-ROM or disk of Windows-based multi-DBMS programming companion software including Windows Q+E Database Library and MultiLink/VB, Quadbase-SQL 3.0a, Crystal Reports for Windows, and Microsoft Video for Windows Runtime System. Windows Multi-DBMS Programming (book/disk set ISBN 0-471-01675-6; book/CD-ROM set ISBN 0-471-01676-4) costs $49.95 for the book and disk, and $59.95 for the book and CD-ROM. Contact John Wiley & Sons Inc., 605 Third Ave., New York, NY 10158-0012; 800-225-5945, fax 908-302-2300, email compbks@jwiley.com, or via the World Wide Web at http:// www.wiley.com.
Watterson gives advice on how to determine the cost of client/server (with troubleshooting tips and recommendations from people out in the field), and looks at where information technology is going and how you can make decisions that will withstand future changes. Client/Server Technology for Managers (ISBN 0-201-40920-8) costs $17.95. Contact Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, One Jacob Way, Reading, MA 01867; 617-944-3700 or fax 617-942-1117.