IBM Expands WebSphere Product Line
Delivers New Tools and Key Functionality, Leverages Other IBM Software Solutions
SAN FRANCISCO (September 09, 1998) – IBM today expanded the WebSphere* product line with delivery of WebSphere Studio* 1.0 Web application development tools and WebSphere Application Server* 1.1. In addition, IBM announced plans to include WebSphere Application Server in future versions of IBM suites, software that integrates key IBM middleware products.
WebSphere is the cornerstone of IBM’s overall Web strategy, offering customers a comprehensive solution to build, deploy and manage e-business Web sites. The product line provides companies with an open, standards-based, Web server deployment platform and Web site development and management tools to help accelerate the process of moving to e-business.
IBM plans to incorporate WebSphere in future releases of the IBM Suite* and the IBM Enterprise Suite*, including those for Windows NT** and other IBM and non-IBM platforms. This will add the power of WebSphere Application Server’s open Java**-based deployment environment to the Suites’ rich application server platform.
“IBM’s vision is to evolve the WebSphere product line to continue providing customers with a comprehensive, best-of-breed solution for all phases of moving to e-business — from developing to deploying and managing Web-based applications,” said Paraic Sweeney, vice president, Web Server Software Marketing at IBM. “Enhancements announced today, such as the integrated Web development tools and inclusion of WebSphere in the IBM Suites, continue to deliver on that vision.”
The WebSphere product line consists of WebSphere Application Server, which is a Java servlet-based application environment and helps customers to deploy and manage Web-based applications, WebSphere Performance Pack*, Web facilities management software that supports rapid growth at high-volume Web sites, and WebSphere Studio, a comprehensive set of Web application development tools.
Norwest Mortgage, based in Des Moines, Iowa, has been using WebSphere Application Server and WebSphere Studio to develop and roll out self-service mortgage applications. “Using IBM’s WebSphere product line, Norwest mortgage brokers can submit loan information and check the status of a loan from our Web site, 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said David Rae, systems architect at Norwest Mortgage, Inc. “WebSphere Application Server allows us to deploy and manage both Java servlets and JavaBeans in a cross-platform, easy-to-use environment.”
Developing Web Applications — WebSphere Studio
Integrated, easy-to-use tools are key for developing powerful e-business applications that let companies explore the full potential of the Web. The IBM WebSphere Studio, available in October, is a comprehensive tools environment for building Web applications that leverage the WebSphere Application Server and extend companies’ Web sites beyond publishing. The Studio can be used to build applications that can run on multiple IBM and non-IBM platforms.
WebSphere Studio combines a Web Development Workbench and servlet generation wizards with IBM’s VisualAge for Java* development environment and Web site development tools from NetObjects**, such as NetObjects ScriptBuilder**, NetObjects Fusion** and NetObjects BeanBuilder**.
IBM is continuing to evolve its application tools strategy to ensure seamless integration of development tools with the Web application server. In line with that strategy, the capabilities of IBM’s VisualAge for Java, e-business edition, will now be offered in the new WebSphere Studio and VisualAge for Java, Enterprise edition. Current customers of VisualAge for Java, e-business edition, will receive a free upgrade to both. As a result, customers can use WebSphere Studio to develop new Web applications for the WebSphere Application Server, and can then seamlessly use VisualAge for Java’s award-winning development environment to build enterprise Java applications that extend existing I/T assets to the Web.
Deploying Web Applications — WebSphere Application Server
WebSphere Application Server V1.1 is IBM’s Java servlet-based Web application server that helps customers to deploy and manage Web applications, ranging from simple Web sites to powerful e-business solutions. The UNIX and Intel** server versions of the WebSphere Application Server will now ship with a copy of the popular Apache HTTP server, which is supported by IBM. The updated version of WebSphere Application Server also provides customers with an optimum foundation for Java-based enterprise applications.
Continuing to deliver standards-based solutions, the new version of the Application Server includes an eXtensible Mark-up Language (XML) Document Structure services, an XML parser and related services that help IT managers and Web developers work with XML documents. The XML parser is a highly successful Java tool released by IBM’s alphaWorks Web site and popularized by the development community. XML is the standard for defining, validating and sharing document formats on the Web.
Platform Support, Pricing and Availability
WebSphere Studio will be available in October for Microsoft Windows NT and Windows 95/98**, and will be priced at US $495. Applications developed using WebSphere Studio can be deployed on many IBM and non-IBM platforms.
The new version of the WebSphere Application Server, shipping with a copy of the Apache HTTP server, will be generally available in October on Sun Solaris**, Windows NT and IBM AIX* platforms. The Application Server without the Apache HTTP server, will be available online for OS/390* and OS/400* customers in October, and will be offered for the first time in the upcoming release of the IBM OS/2* Server Warp platform (code name Aurora), which will go into beta release in the fourth quarter of this year. The Application Server will have no additional charge on OS/390, OS/400 and OS/2 Warp Server, and is priced at US $795 on all other platforms. The WebSphere Application Server 1.1 will be integrated into OS/390 Version 2 Release 7 in the first quarter of 1999.
Source: IBM