jhv1blz5 wrote: The article validated SOA as an IT architecture paradigm that can be leveraged in many ways. Taking data storage, scalability and application performance to a nifty level using SOA Application Grid infrastructure will no doubt enhance data and application performance on Oracle architecture platforms, it also has the promise of a cost effective and efficient IT delivery model. The very benefits of SOA.
HAIFA, ISRAEL and ARMONK, NY -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 05/16/07 -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) today
announced a free Web application development tool made in IBM labs with a
simple user-interface to allow people without technical skills in small
businesses and other organizations to create applications that solve daily
tasks.
Created at IBM's Haifa Research Laboratory in Israel, the IBM®
Development Engagement Service (DevEngage) requires no programming skills
and is a visually appealing, user-friendly, interactive tool designed to
develop online forms for any small business' tasks, including Human
Resources, Finance, Sales or Marketing, that automate common manual
processes, such as the collection and analysis of information. By giving
users easy tools to create simple applications themselves, this eliminates
wait time required when a typical employee issues an application
development request through an IT department.
Unlike application wikis which require technology-savvy users and do not
address workflow or data storage in a database, the IBM Developer
Engagement Service is designed to appeal to the average business user. It
requires no elaborate instructions, cumbersome download or installation of
any new software, enabling users to focus on the problem at hand. A typical
user has limited experience using software "wizards," documents,
spreadsheets and forms, and knows how to create items in a "canvas" and
later rearrange them using basic drag and drop functions.
"This new application development tool will let users with no software
development expertise skill create online forms with ease that complete
routine tasks," said Gal Shachor, project lead for this technology at the
IBM Research Lab in Haifa. "IBM wants to ensure users that small and
medium-sized businesses are able to capitalize on modern Web 2.0
technologies in a simple, user-friendly way."
"As more business activities move online, there are more occasions to ask
the IT Department for help," said Glen Gould, Director, Small-to-Mid-Size
Business at the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. "But if you have to wait
a lengthy period for support, or you don't have an IT department, you can
save either time or money -- and a lot of aggravation -- by quickly
creating your own online forms for just about anything."
An example of this useful technology in action might be at a small business
where lunch is ordered every day from a local restaurant. The office
manager collects orders and at the end of the week subtracts lunch costs
from each employee's salary. This application could be used to easily build
a Web-based form where each employee fills in his lunch order every day.
The application could calculate the weekly or monthly costs and keep
everything orderly. On the flip side, the restaurant owner may want people
to be able to order food online -- even without actually purchasing the
food. This way the restaurant owner can prepare the right food on time and
know to whom the food should be delivered.
Another example involves an onsite operations manager interested in keeping
track of renovation costs. If the user wants to collect price quotes from
various contractors, she would normally update a spread sheet every time
new information is gathered. Putting this information on the Web with IBM
Development Engagement Service allows anyone to access the file and update
it, collect price quotes, analyze the information or collect references --
all in one central location without having to know how to program.
IBM Development Engagement Service builds on Web 2.0 attributes and uses
technologies such as AJAX, a Web development technique for creating
interactive Web applications. Users develop the online forms over the Web
on any Internet browser. The tool generates applications using common
metaphors and practices to automate routine tasks, such as form processing
where forms are distributed, filled and then entered into a database. The
user is taken through a series of "wizard" pages that let him specify
details such as an application name, behavior, look and feel.
Once the user defines the application, the definition is submitted to the
tool's Java(TM)-based server-side back-end where the application is
constructed. At this point the back-end uses templates to generate the
application and returns to the user a URL, pointing the user to the
Web-accessible online form.
IBM Development Engagement Service is available as a hosted technology on
IBM alphaWorks Services, which was established to allow early adopters
access to emerging software services from IBM research and development
labs. By eliminating the need to download and install IBM Development
Engagement Service, IBM is engaging the community as early as possible in
the development process, and inviting them to participate in its evolution.
Users can start building their own applications with this free IBM
technology by going to: http://services.alphaworks.ibm.com/devengage/.
About Made in IBM Labs
Made in IBM Labs is an initiative to drive the most promising emerging
technologies and to harness IBM's considerable technical talent to work
collaboratively with clients on real-world business challenges and
opportunities. Clients benefit from working directly with IBM's technical
experts and resources, gaining innovations that are more targeted to their
specific needs. IBM Labs also benefit by acquiring first-hand knowledge of
client technology, business processes and challenges that they can learn
from to spur further innovation for future products and services. For more
information, please visit
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/presskit/20324.wss.
Add to DiggBookmark with del.icio.usAdd to Newsvine