IBM launched the latest version of its Websphere Application Server
and added new infrastructure software to the Websphere range at its
Developerworks Live conference in San Francisco, writes Eric
Doyle.
Websphere Application Server version 5 is based on Java 2
Enterprise Edition (J2EE) 1.3, and IBM claimed that its platform is
now optimised for Web services provision and integration.
The integration is based on Java Messaging Service (JMS) and
Enterprise Java Beans 2.0 Message Beans. JMS supports asynchronous
connections - the ability to hold messages in a queue if a
component is not available until it comes back online. Dynamic
interaction between applications allows developers to expose Java
applications, Web services and legacy applications as reusable
services which can then be arranged in a logical flow.
The main addition to the Web services mix for long-established IBM
sites is new software to enable legacy mainframe systems to be
wrapped and presented as a Web service.
IBM claimed that Websphere will cut integration costs by 50%. Ed
Harbour, director for Websphere commerce at IBM Software, said, "As
much as 40% of the IT budget can be spent on application
integration issues. Although each project and customer has
different requirements, we are confident that the cost of
integration will be dramatically decreased.
"IBM will soon be releasing a return on investment tool that will
allow our customers to model a project and get some indication of
what these savings will mean to them."
At the same time as the Application Server launch, IBM also
unveiled Websphere MQ Event Broker and Websphere Business
Integration.
MQ Event Broker allows businesses to publish personalised
information to specific subscribers whether on the same network,
across the Internet or using mobile devices.
Business Integration allows business processes, such as enterprise
resource planning or customer relationship management enquiries, to
be implemented across the enterprise. It uses technology gained by
IBM following the acquisition of CrossWorlds Software earlier this
year.
Version 5 of Websphere Application Server is available now in beta
form on IBM's Web site and will be released in packaged form next
month. MQ Event Broker and Business Integration will be available
shortly afterwards.