iPlanet E-Commerce Solutions,
a Sun-Netscape Alliance, has released iPlanet
Application Server 6.0, the first application server to achieve J2EE
certification.
Meeting J2EE certification means that iPlanet Application Server 6.0 has
passed the more than 2,300 required tests to prove its scalability and
availability features. Such certification is designed to serve as proof of
the product’s capability to leverage Java technology for large-scale
e-business applications. The server’s compliance with these standards allows
for greater integration capabilities via J2EE standards.
Customer benefits derived from such integration include:
- Faster time to market for component reuse across multiple
applications - Improved ROI due to decreased development, training and maintenance
costs - Easier integration with third-party information systems through
standardized, open interfaces - Overall ISV adoption that enables greater application support for
corporate developers
In addition to its enhanced scalability, availability and reliability
features, iPlanet Application Server 6.0 includes XML technology
capabilities. XML technologies are such a key part of the integration
framework that they have been used internally to develop the product, said
Sanjay Sarathy, a spokesman for the company. iPlanet Application Server 6.0
also offers an expanded selection of development tool options, such as Forte
for Java Enterprise Edition.
With the announcement, iPlanet reiterated its commitment to helping
companies migrate their existing e-business applications to the new J2EE
application model. iPlanet will offer a J2EE migration program, with a set
of migration tools that use XML to translate applications that are not based
on Java technology to support the J2EE platform. The program will also
include
documentation, training, support and dedicated professional services. It
will initially be targeted at Netscape and NetDynamics application server
customers, for which support will no longer be offered after 2002.
The new J2EE migration tools will be available to all iPlanet application
server customers as a free download, with the complete program set to roll
out within 30 days. Current customers and partners include @home, Andersen
Consulting, Ford, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Telecom Malaysia, and Xerox.
The iPlanet Application Server 6.0 and iPlanet Application Server Builder
(a wizard-based add-on that enables components and plugs into most IDEs) are
both available immediately and are priced at $35,000 per CPU and $1,295 per
seat respectively. Enterprise Connectors for Tuxedo, ERP (SAP and PSFT), and
CICS will be available by the end of May for $15,000, $20,000, and $30,000
respectively per CPU. Also scheduled for availability by the end of May will
be a Process Manager to go on top of the Application Server and designed to
integrate business processes. Process Manager will be priced at $125,000 per
CPU and includes both Application Server and Application Builder.
