Frequent-flier miles saw a big boost in March as the 1996 spring show season got under way. In true tradition, the two major openers took place during the same week, conveniently on opposite sides of the country: Database and Client/Server World in Boston, and Software Development West in San Francisco. I sometimes wonder if show planners get a special kickback from airlines for doing this. While some brave souls hopped the red-eye midweek to catch both shows, I chose Database and Client/Server World. Talk was of the Internet, data warehousing, company name changes, and mad cow disease. Here's a look at what transpired at the show.
Mart Madness
Among the more interesting announcements was Logic Works' (Princeton, N.J.) AOS (Application Object Store), a workgroup model management system for client/server, Web, and data warehouse application development. At the core of AOS is a ModelMart, a central server that contains a library of multiple data models. All members of the workgroup can work with the most current models, and multiple versions of models can be archived and maintained. The tool has version control, impact analysis, model merging, flexible locking, and concurrent modeling capabilities. AOS is currently available for Sybase, Microsoft SQL Server, and Oracle databases. Contact Logic Works Inc., 609-514-1177 or fax 609-514-1175; http://www. logicworks.com.
What a Tangled Web We Weave!
JYACC (New York) was demonstrating its new JAM/WEB (Web Enterprise Builder) product, the latest addition to JYACC's JAM product line. JAM/WEB lets developers build both the thin client and application server components of client/server-based applications for the Web via drag-and-drop technology. JAM/WEB is scheduled to ship later this summer. Contact JYACC Inc., 212-267-7722 or fax 212-608-6753; http://www.jyacc.com. Raima Corp. (Issaquah, Wash.) announced the Velocis Web Server Gateway (VWSG). The VWSG integrates Web applications with the Velocis Database Server. Raima also announced two other products, the Raima Report Writer and Raima Report Analyst, a multidimensional OLAP tool. Contact Raima Corp., 800-275-4724, 206-557-0200, or fax 206-557-5200; http://www.raima.com.
Magic Software Enterprises Inc. (Irvine, Calif.) announced its three-phase Internet strategy. The first phase, Magic WebLink, is available for free download from the Magic Web site, http://www.magic-sw.com. WebLink is an add-on tool for Windows NT servers, and it lets Magic applications communicate with popular Internet Web servers. The later phases of Magic's Internet strategy will integrate WebLink directly into the Magic application development environment and will let developers interface with and use the Java language for multi-tier client and server computing over the Internet. I also got a sneak peek at Magic 7, which will make its debut in May. Version 7 adds support for Windows 95 and NT, reusable form components, configuration management capabilities, and OLE 2.0 support. Contact Magic Software Enterprises Inc., 714-250-1718 or fax 714-250-7404; http://www.magic-sw.com.
Intersolv (Rockville, Md.) announced the integration of its DataDirect SequeLink and DataDirect SmartData technologies in order to gain a stronger and more expansive hold on the data access middleware market. The announcement coincided with the release of the first Intersolv version of SequeLink since Intersolv acquired SequeLink's parent company TechGnosis International Inc. in October 1995. Contact Intersolv, 301-838-5000 or fax 301-838-5065; http://www.intersolv.com.
Another big issue at the show concerned company name changes. Sterling Software's Frontware Division (Redwood Shores, Calif.), maker of the STAR:Flashpoint tool for integrating host applications into client/server architectures, changed its name to the Desktop Integration Division. In conjunction with the name change, the Desktop Integration Division announced STAR:View, a client/server integration tool that gives end users intelligent access to host-based applications via Web browsers. Contact Sterling Software Inc. Desktop Integration Division, 415-802-7100 or fax 415-802-7143; http://www.sterling.com.
A new baby announced as a result of the merger of Bachman Information Systems Inc. and Cadre Technologies Inc. was Cayenne Software (Burlington, Mass.). Cayenne's mission statement is to "provide practical solutions for the design and development needs of software development teams building commercial and technical applications." Contact Cayenne Software, 617-273-9003 or fax 617-229-9904
Another name change that makes you pause and wonder came from Planning Sciences Inc. (Littleton, Colo.), maker of the Gentium client/server development environment for enterprise OLAP and decision-support systems. Earlier in March, Intel acquired all rights to the Gentium name, effective June 30, 1996. As a result, Planning Sciences changed the name of its product to, get out your pencil, Gentia. Contact Planning Sciences Inc., 303-794-8701 or fax 303-794-8702.
In Case You Didn't Notice!
Those with an eye for detail may have noticed that there's a new name at the top of this page. As well as the expected hello and thanks for reading, I'd like to put out a request to DBMS readers for input as to what you would like to see more or less of in Client/Server Connection. Please email your comments and suggestions to cparkes@mfi.com.