Apple Computer Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) and nine independent software vendors (ISVs) joined together announce a broad spectrum of development tools that enable information systems (IS) professionals to rapidly and easily build client/server applications that operate on various computing platforms from personal computers to mainframes. The tools include third and fourth generation languages as well as visual development and advanced development environment tools.
Today's announcement was made at MacIS, an organization of IS managers for many of the world's largest corporations whose enterprise networks include Macintosh personal computers. By offering advanced software development tools on the Macintosh computer platform, Apple and the nine ISVs are meeting the client/server development needs of large organizations such as those represented by MacIS members.
A broad range of construction tools for object-oriented, cross-platform, client/server development are being offered from the nine vendors, including Brio Technology Inc., Component Software Corp., Digitalk, Inc., Forte Software, Inc., Micro Focus, Mitem Corp., Powersoft Corp., Software AG of North America, Inc. and TGS Systems Ltd. These vendors join the growing list of Apple partners, including IBM Corp., Digital Equipment Corp., Oracle Corp. and Symantec Corp., that provide advanced software development tools for the Macintosh computer platform.
IS Tools Within VITAL Framework
The new tools will enable rapid prototyping and development of applications using object-oriented technologies and Apple's data access solutions: Data Access Manager (DAM) and Data Access Language (DAL). Data access is one of five information activities specified in Apple's VITAL framework, announced in spring 1992.
VITAL (Virtually Integrated Technical Architecture Lifecycle) is a detailed set of guidelines to help Apple's corporate customers design information systems that more easily integrate their desktop computers into enterprise systems. In addition to data access the architecture covers data capture, repository, desktop integration and systems infrastructure. Together, they describe the corporate information system in enterprise environments.
As part of its charter, VITAL offers a framework for developing vendor-independent systems that use the power of desktop computers in a heterogeneous client/server environment.
"VITAL's appeal stems from its ability to offer clear guidelines for resolving the central issues IS executives face. The Macintosh computer platform -- with its ease of use, graphics, robust networking capabilities, and high performance -- is ideally suited for developing and deploying client/server applications," said Morris Taradalsky, vice president and general manager of Apple's Enterprise Systems Division. "We believe today's announcement further establishes Apple as having the best client/server development environment and solution set."
Apple's corporate customers can obtain more information about VITAL through a series of white papers from Apple. The first two of these, Introduction to VITAL: Designing Information Systems for the 1990's and Client/Server Development Guide, are available to U.S. customers by calling (800) 635-9550, ext. 502, or by contacting an Apple sales representative.
Overview of Development Tools
The following is an overview of the companies and products involved in the Apple IS tools initiative. For detailed pricing and availability information on specific products, please contact the appropriate vendor directly.
-- Brio Technology's DataEdit will contribute to the data capture side of the VITAL framework. DataEdit is a forms-based data entry system that provides Macintosh computer-based update capabilities for SQL databases in true client/server environments, making database front end forms easy to build. Contact Gail Snyder McClain at (415) 961-4110.
-- Component Software's Component Workshop is the first dynamic object-oriented applications development system based on C++. It supports cross-platform development to Windows and Apple Events and is used for developing, testing and debugging event-driven desktop applications running in a client/server architecture. It will be available at the end of November with additional enhancements, such as DAL, DAM/ODBC, AppleScript and Open Collaboration Environment (OCE), available in 1993. Contact Susan Rutgerson at (617) 862-9700.
-- Digitalk's Smalltalk/V Mac, the first object-oriented system to be fully integrated into the Macintosh user interface, will be enhanced in 1993 to provide high-level support for native Macintosh computer operating system features such as QuickTime, QuickDraw GX, AppleScript, OCE, DAM, DAL and Apple Events. With Smalltalk, developers can create applications with a single code base to run on Macintosh computer, DOS, Windows 3.1 or OS/2 2.0 platforms. Contact Barbara Noparstak at (310) 645-1082.
-- Forte Software's Forte, scheduled for availability in 1993, supports VITAL in the areas of desktop integration, data capture and data access, allowing developers to build mission critical applications. Forte simplifies the development of distributed applications through partitioned applications, open integration, GUIs, reliability and performance. Contact Ed Horst at (510) 869-3400.
-- Micro Focus is developing versions of Micro Focus COBOL compiler as well as tools for Macintosh computers, including Micro Focus COBOL, Micro Focus Toolbox (both to be available in 1993) and Micro Focus Dialog System (to be available by early 1994). Micro Focus COBOL applications are portable across UNIX, DOS, OS/2 and other proprietary operating systems and include tools for the creation, deployment and support of cross-platform, client/server applications. Micro Focus user interface tools also support the development and portability of graphical user interface applications across multiple window managers. Contact Eveline Kowtko at (415) 856-4161.
-- Mitem's MitemView, available now, allows developers to create robust client/server applications for the Macintosh computer with mainframe-based
legacy systems. MitemView ensures an organization's highest levels of security are maintained and allows management of multiple, simultaneous host/server sessions, without any host code modification. Mitem is currently developing a Windows version of its product. Contact Barry Margerum at (408) 559-8801.
-- Powersoft's PowerBuilder 2.0, an object-oriented, graphic, client/server development environment, is designed to build large- scale commercial and government applications. Currently available for Windows, Powersoft will offer a Macintosh computer version in 1993. Contact Jennifer Malloy or Rachael Stockton at (617) 229-2200.
-- Software AG's products for Macintosh computer-based client application development, server connectivity and request distribution will be introduced in 1993. Products include Natural and Net-Work for Macintosh and Entire Broker. Combined with Apple's VITAL strategy, Entire Broker will ease the complexity of enterprise networking and rightsizing. Contact Jen Norman at (703) 391-6727.
-- TGS Systems' Prograph 2.5 is an object-oriented visual programming environment for the Macintosh computer. Prograph extension products allow support for DAM and DAL, Apple's Interapplication Communication as well as Apple's Enterprise Toolbox. Contact Mark Szpakowski at (902) 455-4446.