New products for the week of January 1
By John J. McLaughlin, FlashBack, Inc.
flash@flashback.com.
Back to the comprehensive index of January's new products.
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Table of Contents
Hardware
Software
Hardware
Product:
DataBlaster 2
- moves data between a mainframe and a server
($12,000 to $35,000)
Company: Bus-Tech, Inc.
(Burlington, MA)
Telephone: (800) 284-3172 or (781) 272-8200
E-mail: info@bustech.com
URL: http://www.bustech.com
Platforms: Windows NT, HP-UX, IBM AIX, Digital Alpha UNIX and Sun Solaris
Description:
Moves data between a mainframe and a server, giving system and database
administrators the ability to move, load, back-up and restore gigabytes of
data in minutes, rather than hours. These new "ruggedized," rack-mounted
systems allow customers to create a separate data highway for mission-critical
data movement needs. This is a family of high-performance control units,
differentiated only by port configuration, that reach their high throughput
levels by emulating industry-standard tape drives at each side of the
connection. On the mainframe side, they connect up to two ESCON (Enterprise
Systems Connection) or Bus and Tag channels, providing throughput speeds of up
to 32 megabytes per second (MB/s). On the server side, up to four Ultra Wide
SCSI (Small Computer Systems Interface) connections attached to enterprise
servers provide data movement at speeds up to 40 MB/s. With no additional
software or high bandwidth adapters required on either side, DataBlaster 2
results in simple, reliable parallel data transfers at rates up to 25 times
faster than traditional networking methods without impacting the network. By
utilizing DataBlaster 2 between a System/390 mainframe and a UNIX or NT
server, customers can take advantage of the mature, time-tested and robust
security of the centralized system, while also making efficient use of
voluminous server databases and data warehouses.
Product:
Sidewinder 200
- Advanced Intelligent Tape (AIT) Drive
Company: Seagate Technology, Inc.
(Costa Mesa, CA)
Telephone: (800) 626-6637
E-mail: info@seagate.com
URL: http://www.seagate.com
Platforms: NT, Netware, and UNIX
Description:
A new AIT drive, the Sidewinder 200, is an autoloader that holds up to 200
Gbytes of data on four cartridges. Each tape in the Sidewinder 200's
four-cartridge magazine holds up to 50 Gbytes of compressed data for a total
capacity of up to 200 Gbytes. Operating on a Fast/Wide SCSI-2 interface, the
Sidewinder 200 transfers data at a rate of up to 6 Mbytes per second. With a
reliable Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) rating of 185,000 hours, the
Sidewinder 200 features a cartridge transport system that gently inserts tapes
into the drive to avoid mis-grip and positioning issues. Through the
Memory-In- Cassette (MIC) reader located in the Sidewinder 200's elevator, the
drive is able to quickly locate data, allowing ultra-fast file search, easy
data management, and rapid media load. Compatible with leading software
applications including Seagate Backup Exec and Cheyenne ARCserve, the
Sidewinder 200 can be integrated into a broad range of systems.
Software
Product:
Arbor/BP, Arbor/OM and EC/Arbor
- Suite of billing, customer care and order management systems
Company: Kenan Systems Corporation
(Cambridge, MA)
Telephone: (617) 225-2200
E-mail: info@kenan.com
URL: http://www.kenan.com
Platforms: DEC, H-P, IBM, NCR, Sun; UNIX, Windows NT, 95
Description:
A suite of billing, customer care and order management systems for Oracle8.
Arbor/BP, Arbor/OM and EC/Arbor support Oracle8 to meet the needs of wireline
telephony, wireless telephony, Internet and electronic commerce, and cable
television providers. Arbor/BP is a UNIX-based billing and customer care
solution that meets the demands of single- and multi-service providers in the
communications industry. Benchmark tests have documented that Arbor/BP
processes 45 million calls per eight hour day (residential or business),
supports upwards of 15 million residential subscribers, and supports call
centers with 5,000 or more customer service representatives. Arbor/OM is an
order entry and order management system that enables service providers to
increase the quality of customer service. EC/Arbor meets the billing and
customer care needs of Internet and electronic commerce providers. It allows
providers to introduce a wide range of value-added services to both
residential and business customers, as well as employ targeted marketing
programs such as innovative pricing and discount plans designed to increase
customer acquisition and loyalty. Strategist is a comprehensive decision
support application designed to meet the critical needs of business and
marketing decision makers within communications companies.
Product:
Atlas Server
- Intranet knowledge management solution
(five users - $1,250)
Company: Tympani Development Inc.
(Sunnyvale, CA)
Telephone: (408) 735-9555
E-mail: sales@tympani.com
URL: http://www.tympani.com
Platforms: SUN Solaris, HP-UX and Windows NT
Description:
A comprehensive and cost-effective intranet knowledge management solution.
Using a multi-user, server-centered agent technology, it enables organizations
to retrieve, search, filter, index, publish, broadcast and manage Web/intranet
information. Interacting through server-launched thin-client Java applets,
users access their own private spaces, called My Atlas on the server. In
their individual spaces, users can set up retrieval agents using searching and
filtering technology to automatically locate and store relevant, meaningful
information. Users require only a Java-capable Web browser to interact with
Atlas, regardless of the platform on which they are running. By using Atlas
as a proxy server and by setting up Atlas agents, users pull meaningful data
into Atlas' advanced object database repository. This repository is accessed
by users viewing results of agent retrievals, by agents requesting data which
already exists in the repository, by users searching the Atlas repository
directly, and by users accessing, through the Atlas proxy, a page which
already exists in the repository. This proxy capability helps save network
resources and bandwidth, providing a powerful, efficient gateway to both the
Web and the intranet. Through user and agent interaction, the Atlas
repository fills with information that users throughout the company find
useful, creating a valuable, searchable corporate Web/intranet repository.
Atlas' optional Global Atlas feature, allows companies to create a corporate
electronic bulletin board. Agents can post data available to all network
users, or only to those with authorized access.
Product:
BEA Jolt 1.1
- Accesses applications from the Internet or intranet
($3,000)
Company: BEA Systems, Inc.
(Sunnyvale, CA)
Telephone: (408) 542-4081
E-mail: info@beasys.com
URL: http://www.beasys.com
Description:
Java-enabled software product extends the capabilities of the BEA TUXEDO
middleware infrastructure to the Internet, making it possible for businesses
to access mission-critical applications from the Internet or an enterprise
intranet, while concealing the transactional complexity from users. New BEA
Jolt 1.1 functions include support for encryption, the addition of an Internet
Relay for deployment flexibility, the addition of the publish-and-subscribe
communication paradigm, enhancements to the repository to rapidly bring
additional application components to the Internet, and an optional Builder
component, BEA Jolt Expert, for ease of development and plug-and-play
integration with Java development tools.
Product:
BEST/1 for Distributed Systems
- Performance Assurance
Company: BGS Systems, Inc.
(Waltham, MA)
Telephone: (781) 891-0000
E-mail: info@bgs.com
URL: http://www.bgs.com
Platforms: Windows NT, UNIX
Description:
A Performance Assurance implementation for Windows NT and UNIX systems. It
gives IT organizations the ability to understand how business applications
perform today and predict how they will perform in the future. It combines
industry-leading data collection techniques with analysis, modeling, and
display capabilities. For organizations deploying business applications
across any combination of UNIX and/or NT platforms, this product addresses key
IT performance issues: Capacity requirements of new applications can be sized
before they are deployed; Service levels and user expectations can be managed
through accurate tracking and analysis; Potential problems can be spotted
before they occur; and Critical real-time problems can be pinpointed and
responses can be automated.
Product:
DFS Connect
- gives users access to the DFS enterprise file system
(25 license package: $1,975)
Company: Transarc Corporation
(Pittsburgh, PA)
E-mail: info@transarc.com
URL: http://www.transarc.com
Platforms: Sun Solaris, IBM AIX
Description:
DFS Connect is based on Syntax's TotalNET Advanced Server (TAS), which allows
Macintosh, NetWare and Windows users access to the secure and powerful DFS(1)
enterprise file system without the need for additional software on the
desktop. With DFS Connect, which integrates Transarc's DFS with Syntax's
TotalNET Advanced Server, administrators decrease the costs typically
associated with enabling PC applications for full-featured file system access.
In addition, users can access and share application resources. By integrating
DFS and TotalNET Advanced Server, DFS Connect expands the desktop user base by
increasing secure distributed file system access for Windows, Macintosh and
NetWare clients. Network administrators can offer PC applications access to
the secure and powerful Transarc DFS, without requiring DFS client software to
be installed on the desktop. The integrated TAS/DFS product eliminates most
historic obstacles that have prevented network administrators from extending
the full functionality of DFS to Microsoft, NetWare, and Macintosh PC users.
Product:
EASTMAN SOFTWARE COLD 3.0
- computer output to laser disk
(n/a)
Company: Eastman Software, Inc.
(Billerica, MA)
Telephone: (978) 967-8000
E-mail: es.correspondence@eastmansoftware.com
URL: http://www.eastmansoftware.com
Platforms: Windows 95, NT, IBM AIX, HP-UX, Sun Solaris
Description:
EASTMAN SOFTWARE COLD Version 3.0 is a set of client/server software products
that provide a solution for storing, indexing and retrieving high volumes of
computer data on laser disk. This latest version, featuring a redesigned
32-bit client interface and augmented data retrieval capabilities, helps
organizations streamline their paper and microfiche-based information and can
easily work with existing hardware systems and mainframe applications by
utilizing an OLE Automation Server. EASTMAN SOFTWARE COLD Version 3.0 also
provides Windows-based clients and supports line printer and All Points
Addressable (APA) data streams including IBM AFP, Xerox Metacode, and HP-PCL.
Product:
InfoVista System 1.1
- SLA reporting system
(Windows: $19,995, UNIX: $29,500)
Company: InfoVista Corporation
(Redwood City, CA)
Telephone: (650) 366-1810
E-mail: info@infovista.com
URL: http://www.infovista.com
Platforms: Windows NT, Sun Solaris
Description:
The first SLA reporting system that generates alarms when actual service level
measures fall below their committed levels. This feature, combined with
real-time monitoring capabilities, enables network and systems managers to
provide proactive Service Level Management. Alarms can be set on any metric
coming from the network as well as from an application or system. In
addition, the alarm can be directed to proprietary applications such as HP's
Open View, Sun's Solstice and IBM's Net View. The InfoVista System enables
tracking and documenting of service level achievements across all components
of the distributed enterprise (LANs, WANs, systems, applications) and converts
the resulting data into a wide-range of decision-support reports. InfoVista
uses a datamart model for storing and retrieving data that incorporates
object-oriented technology and makes it possible to easily generate reports
that can be viewed through a Web browser.
Product:
Java Studio
- A dynamic Java authoring tool
Company: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
(Mountain View, CA)
Telephone: (800) SUN-SOFT
E-mail: info@sun.com
URL: http://www.sun.com/shop/
Platforms: Sun Solaris, Windows 95, NT
Description:
A dynamic Java authoring tool, Java Studio allows non-programmers to create
Java applets and applications intuitively, enabling access to "real-time"
information and helping businesses keep pace in the Web-enhanced world without
writing a single line of code. Bridging the gap between code-writing
programmers and content creators, Java Studio features a "live" environment
for simultaneous development and testing of applications and allows users
without programming experience to create applications which access, manipulate
and publish information on the Internet by visually wiring together or
connecting JavaBeans components. Java Studio is a fast and easy way to boost
productivity, especially for overworked IT professionals and programmers who
need to maximize their time. The compelling ingredient in Java Studio is
JavaBeans components - reusable pieces of precoded software that can range
from simple animation and multimedia to complex logic Beans with more
sophisticated functions. Java Studio exploits the ease-of-use characteristic
of Beans by enabling users to build dynamic, network-aware Web pages and
applications by simply using a click of a mouse to link together Beans. Java
Studio comes with a palette of more than 50 Beans from component vendors
including KL Group, Ludens, Object Design, Inc., and THOUGHT Inc.
Product:
Medici 4.0
- Semiconductor device simulator
($23,000)
Company: Technology Modeling Associates, Inc.
(Sunnyvale, CA)
Telephone: (408) 328-0930
E-mail: tma_news@tmai.com
URL: http://www.tmai.com
Platforms: UNIX workstations from DEC, HP, IBM & Sun
Description:
A semiconductor device simulator used to predict electrical characteristics of
2D structures. Provides advanced meshing of simulation structures, modeling
of power devices, simulation of compound semiconductor materials and AC small
signal analysis. The automatic boundary conforming (ABC) meshing capability
helps users generate simulation mesh for various types of device structures.
This capability is suitable for creating meshes for highly non-planar
structures generated by process simulators, since it creates meshes where grid
lines conform to boundaries and interfaces. Grid lines also conform to
junctions, for accurate simulation of breakdown phenomena and bipolar current
gain. The ABC mesh capabilities also include additional grid spacing control
features and automatic grid optimization for generating better meshes for
device simulation. The modeling of power devices has also been improved. The
program now includes models for lattice temperature-dependent electron and
hole lifetime. This feature is particularly useful for modeling the effects
of carrier lifetime due to changes in lattice temperature in devices such as
IGBTs, GTOs and LDMOS structures.
Product:
PGPsdk Toolkit
- Builds security into applications
Company: Pretty Good Privacy, Inc.
(San Mateo, CA)
E-mail: info@pgp.com
URL: http://www.pgp.com
Platforms: Windows 95, NT, Macintosh, Solaris Sparc 2.5 and Linux
Description:
Toolkit for building security into any application, without the need for
expertise in applied cryptography. Allows developers to integrate the
strongest cryptography commercially available (no less than 128 bits), to
safeguard all forms of electronic information. Security features protect the
confidentiality and integrity of data, permit verification of the sender and
ensure a message is non-repudiable (i.e., undeniably sent by the sender).
Corporations, third-party developers and integrators can add security
functions quickly, assuring that applications are based on the worldwide de
facto standard for protecting information in transit and in storage.
Solutions are scalable from hundreds to thousands of users enterprise-wide.
The toolkit is compatible with the most popular development platforms, and
allows integration of all of the functions necessary in security applications:
encryption, decryption, digital signature and verification, key management and
certificate server integration capabilities. The toolkit makes it possible to
conduct secure mission-critical functions, whether general business activities
or actions specific to industries that rely heavily on electronic
communication and data transmission, such as finance, healthcare, law,
aerospace, technology and sales. Possible applications include encrypted and
authenticated email, audio or video; secure electronic commerce; secure remote
access; file and record protection; and store-and-forward activity.
Product:
Post.Office
- E-mail server software
($495)
Company: Software.Com Inc
Telephone: (805) 882-2470
Fax: (805) 882-2473
E-mail: sales@software.com
URL: http://www.software.com
Platforms: Windows NT, UNIX
Description:
Robust, secure and easy-to-administer Internet messaging server software.
Comes with a built-in mailing list manager that supports 10 to over 150,000
users. For example, postmasters can use the product to administer their
organization's e-mail systems, while the users with e-mail accounts can use it
to specify how their mail should be handled, join mailing lists, and manage
mailing lists. Computer users who do not have Post.Office e-mail accounts can
still join any publicly-available Post.Office mailing lists. The product
scales to comfortably support over 150,000 mail boxes on a single server with
configured hardware. It uses secured Web browsers as well as Web-based remote
management capabilities. It is also designed to meet the messaging needs of
small to mid-sized Internet service providers (ISPs) as well as corporate
intranets. It has been licensed for use within server products offered by
other companies including Netscape, Qualcomm, NetManage, Banyan Systems, AST
Research and Frontier Technologies. Major ISPs using Software. Com's
Internet server technology include AT&T WorldNet Service, GE Information
Services, InterBusiness Service, and Bell Atlantic's Internet access service,
Bell Atlantic.net.
Product:
Synplify
- Altera- or Actel-specific logic synthesis tools
($5,000)
Company: Synplicity, Inc.
(Sunnyvale, CA)
Telephone: (408) 617-6000
Fax: (408) 617-6001
E-mail: info@synplicity.com
URL: http://www.synplicity.com
Platforms: Windows 95/NT, HP-UX, Sun OS and Sun Solaris
Description:
Altera- and Actel-specific synthesis solutions based upon the Synplify logic
synthesis engine. Synplicity, Inc. and Wyle Electronics, a distributor of
semiconductors and computer systems, announced a distribution agreement to
deliver Synplify to FPGA and CPLD designers throughout North America.
Synplicity and Wyle are offering a complete package to programmable logic
designers, including industry-leading programmable logic technology from
Altera and Actel; VHDL and Verilog Direct Synthesis Technology from
Synplicity; and sales and technical support.
Product:
Sysload for Oracle
- real-time monitoring and trend analysis for client-server databases
($3,995 per engine)
Company: Software Diversified Services
(Minneapolis, MN)
Telephone: (612) 571-9000
Fax: (612) 572-1721
E-mail: softdiv@sdsusa.com
URL: http://www.sdsusa.com
Platforms: Oracle 7.1.6 or later, HP UX, Sun Solaris Sparc, Solaris X86, AIX
Description:
A system performance software solution that provides real-time monitoring and
trend analysis for client-server database systems. Allows system
administrators to centralize performance management of both network systems
and databases. Supports performance management for application servers as
well as network servers. Provides system administrators with a new way to
view their database environments, enabling them to monitor and control all the
parameters that affect the performance of both network and database servers
from a single management console. Its client/server architecture includes two
elements: a collector agent and a non-dedicated viewing console. Using one
collector agent per Oracle machine engine, it continuously monitors Oracle
database activity, transmitting performance information using TCP/IP to a
network viewing console that can be installed on any workstation using Motif,
Open Look, Windows NT, or Windows 95. System administrators can use a central
viewing console to view performance data from any of the collector agents
running on any platform to monitor and tune performance in a multi-platform
environment. It provides real-time monitoring and auditing of the load on any
Oracle server, detailing activity in real-time and as a historical record
recorded at any interval the administrator chooses - minutes, hours, days,
months, years. The collecting agents automatically store data to the history-
analysis file, and the administrator can set real-time alarms to trigger if a
preset threshold is exceeded. Alarms can be transmitted to the Sysload
console to notify the administrator, or any SNMP console to activate a
corrective action.
Product:
VM:Webserver Gateway release 1.1
- Web-enables mainframe legacy applications
Company: Sterling Software Inc.
(Reston, VA)
Telephone: (800) 533-5128, (703) 264-8000
E-mail: vm@sterling.com
URL: http://www.vm.sterling.com
Platforms: IBM VM
Description:
Software product is an extension of the mainframe Web server, VM:Webserver,
and is designed as a way to Web-enable all legacy applications running on VM,
MVS, and VSE. The software also enables access to information via corporate
intranet, extranet, and Internet sites. VM:Webserver Gateway allows common
gateway interface (CGI) scripts to run applications through the end-users
mainframe account, not via a separate server on another platform. The company
sees VM:Webserver Gateway as an alternative to middleware solutions, which, in
addition to the mainframe on which the applications are resident, also require
Unix or Windows NT servers. VM:Webserver Gateway runs directly on the
mainframe and does not require a different server for each application.
Product:
WinTED 2.1
- Unix-to-Windows interoperability solution
(starting at $99/seat)
Company: TriTeal Corp.
(Carlsbad, CA)
Telephone: (760) 827-5000
E-mail: info@triteal.com
URL: http://www.triteal.com/WinTED
Platforms: IBM AIX, SunOS, Solaris, HP-UX, SGI IRIX
Description:
As a native Win32 application, WinTED provides desktop and system-level
integration between Windows and Unix applications, so a Windows 95/NT client
can access, execute and display Unix applications just as if they were native
Windows applications. WinTED 2.1 provides support for Unix platforms
independent of TriTeal's common enterprise desktop product, TED. As such,
Windows 95/NT users can more easily access Unix applications and resources
running on IBM AIX, SunOS, Solaris, HP-UX, or SGI IRIX. In addition, a system
administrator can define and populate the client's Windows desktop, so that
point-and-click access to remote applications is automatically enabled upon
user login. Provides a number of important features for enterprise users,
including an advanced front panel control for easy deployment and
administration, drag- and-drop functionality, and an on-demand PC X server.
Additional features include the TriTeal Graphical Workspace Manager (GWM)
which allows users to visually monitor and navigate multiple workspaces
simultaneously, automatic application gathering, and an ICA client for access
to remote NT applications and services. For companies that are already using
PC X servers, WinTED provides desktop-level integration of Unix applications
and files and advanced desktop features, such as the GWM and the front panel.
Product:
i3 Daily Briefing and i3 Live Alert
- monitor and deliver company intranet information
(GBP20,000 for i3 Daily Briefing; GBP15,000 for i3 Live Alert)
Company: Autonomy Systems Ltd
E-mail: info@agentware.com
URL: http://www.agentware.com
Platforms: Sun Solaris 2.5, DEC Unix 4.0, Windows NT
Description:
Two server products for corporate intranets. The i3 Daily Briefing and i3
Live Alert intelligently monitor and deliver relevant information on a
company's intranet. This includes the Web, news feeds, email, corporate
memoranda, archives and document stores. The i3 Daily Briefing uses Concept
gents to monitor specified internal or external information sources and report
back to individual users with links to relevant information. The Agentware i3
Live Alert constantly monitors live news feeds, or information streams, such
as Reuters and Bloomberg and alerts specific users via e-mail or a mobile
phone as soon as a breaking news story of specific interest appears.
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Last updated: 15 January 1997