IBM Simplifies Web Application Management

New software helps businesses roll out “smart” Java apps across the enterprise

New York (October 07, 1998) – IBM today announced eNetwork On-Demand Server, software that makes it easier to deploy and use Web-based applications within an enterprise.
As more businesses take advantage of Java** technology to give employees, customers and business partners access to key applications via an easy-to-use Web browser, they need to ensure enterprise-class flexibility, reliability, security and ease-of-administration, and to contain costs.
IBM eNetwork On-Demand Server does this by allowing customers to create “smart” Web applications that let them tailor application preferences down to the individual user, allowing greater flexibility in deploying and managing applications. It also provides dynamic delivery of Java client applications from anywhere in a network.
“The realities of the e-business environment today require that companies provide their employees, customers and partners with reliable and simple access to the applications they need to do their jobs,” said Jeff Jaffe, general manager, eNetwork Software and Security. “On-Demand Server ensures that specific mission-critical Java applications are available through any Web browser to those who need them — and protected from those who don’t.”
On-Demand Server’s key features include:
The ability to set data and application access policies according to individual users, groups or the type of client machine an individual is using. On-Demand Server manages the IDs, passwords and profiles on the server;
Support for “roaming users,” so the same access policies follow a user whether the person is, for example, logged on to an office desktop PC running OS/2* or a laptop with Windows 95** on the road;
Event management (such as dealing with a system crash) and license management, which can help determine which applications and features are most commonly used and provide flexibility in vendor price negotiations;
Integration with Tivoli Enterprise software systems management products for Windows NT** and AIX* platforms, which means complete end-to-end visibility and control of e-business solutions written in Java, from real-time monitoring and integrated user administration to instant Web application deployment. On-Demand Server also easily works with systems management products from Hewlett Packard and Candle;
Availability of the Toolkit based on Java, which enables software developers to add full management support to any Java applications simply by incorporating On-Demand Server functions into existing or future applications. The Toolkit can easily be used in combination with popular Integrated Development Environments (IDE) such as IBM VisualAge for Java and Symantec VisualCafe for Java;
Single sign-on access to the Web using Secure Sockets Layer technology.
“With On-Demand Server, we’re making applications available to a much larger audience than we ever could — both inside and outside our organization,” said Gerard Frey, vice president of marketing for Geac EnterpriseServer, a premier developer of mainframe business software and services. “Applications are also much easier to install, maintain and update. Our customers will be able to work more efficiently while their cost of doing business actually decreases.”
On-Demand Server supports a variety of server platforms, initially including Microsoft Windows NT, IBM OS/2*, AIX and OS/390*. On-Demand Server runs on any Web browser client with a current version of a Java Virtual Machine. It also supports a variety of Web servers, including Lotus Domino Go*, Microsoft Internet Information Server**, and Netscape Enterprise Server**.
On-Demand Server will be available worldwide in 10 languages on October 30, 1998 through normal IBM software distribution channels.

Source: IBM

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