IBM helps companies turn simple web sites into powerful e-business solutions

Bundles leading-edge tools and technologies from Apache and NetObjects into IBM WebSphere Application Server

June 23, 1998

On June 22, IBM announced several enhancements to its Web application server product line to help customers build, deploy and manage Web-based applications. This leading-edge offering helps customers move from static Web sites to building powerful e-business solutions. As part of the announcement, IBM will:

• Provide commercial-grade support for customers using the Apache HTTP server and package it with the IBM WebSphere Application Server.
• Offer NetObjects ScriptBuilder as the first component of an easy-to-use, Web-based development tools offering. A comprehensive WebSphere tools package for building, managing and deploying dynamic Java applications will be available later this year.

IBM's WebSphere product line consists of WebSphere Application Server and WebSphere Performance Pack. WebSphere Application Server is IBM's Java servlet-based Web application server that helps customers to deploy and manage Web-based applications. WebSphere Performance Pack is software that offers a reliable and scalable environment for rapidly-growing, high-volume Web sites. Both products will be available this month.

The enhanced WebSphere products allow customers to move from using the Web for publishing static Web pages to creating dynamic e-business solutions. IBM WebSphere Application Server works with most industry-standard HTTP servers, including those from Netscape and Microsoft, while both the Apache HTTP Server and Lotus Domino Go Webserver will be shipped with WebSphere Application Server.

IBM Teams Up With Apache

IBM will ship the Apache HTTP server with the IBM WebSphere Application Server, helping current Apache users to evolve to e-business solutions. As part of the WebSphere Application Server package, IBM will provide commercial, enterprise-level support for the Apache HTTP Server. In addition, IBM will be a full participant in the Apache HTTP Server Project, a collaborative development effort, and will make contributions to enhance the capabilities of the Apache HTTP Server. This will allow IBM customers to benefit from the broad range of skills and partners in the marketplace, while the Apache community can take advantage of IBM's development contributions and industry-leading support and services.

NetObjects Complements WebSphere Application Server with Advanced Scripting Tools

NetObjects delivers the first development tool of what will become a comprehensive tool set for building, deploying and managing dynamic Web sites using WebSphere Application Server. NetObjects' new ScriptBuilder 2.01 offers Web site developers a powerful, easy-to-use script editor for creating Java Server Pages.

For a limited time, IBM is offering a complimentary downloadable copy of NetObjects' ScriptBuilder to customers of WebSphere Application Server. IBM will incorporate NetObjects Fusion and NetObjects TeamFusion site development tools into future releases of the WebSphere product line to support rapid development of e-business solutions by individuals and teams of Web site developers.

IBM's WebSphere tool set also will include IBM VisualAge for Java and "wizards" for the NetObjects tools to automate tasks such as generating code for database integration. As a result, developers can easily build, deploy and manage dynamic Web sites using the WebSphere Application Server.