First dynamic application to integrate WebObjects, Java (tm), and Netscape (tm) technologies
Redwood City, Calif.- December 6, 1995- NeXT Computer, Inc. today
unveiled the Dodge Virtual Showroom, an on-line demonstration that
enables consumers to dynamically view and select options from the
entire line of Dodge automobiles and trucks. Accessible from NeXT's
Website (www.next.com), the Virtual Showroom integrates NeXT's
WebObjects application development software with Netscape HTTP
servers and also includes Sun Microsystems' Java applets.
A self-guided tour through Dodge's inventory of cars and trucks
allows users to select from the following options: model, color,
price, option packages, and financing - creating a custom page
on-the-fly to reflect users' selections. Using the Netscape API,
WebObjects maximizes performance and leverages security offered by
the Netscape Commerce Server.
"We see the Web as an explosive force in corporate America today,"
said Steven P. Jobs, chairman and CEO of NeXT Computer, Inc. "With
applications such as the Virtual Showroom, NeXT is combining its
deep object technology with complementary offerings from Netscape
and Sun to give consumers good reasons to join the on-line community."
Announced at ObjectWorld in August 1995, WebObjects is the only
product that provides a total solution for corporations entering
the Web market today. As corporations demand more from the Web
the importance of a strong Web architecture becomes apparent.
WebObjects offers the most powerful framework for building internal
Web sites, dynamic publishing, commerce, and groupware applications.
Companies such as Fannie Mae and Merrill Lynch have already adopted
WebObjects to build internal Corporate information networks and to
establish a business critical presence on the World Wide Web. With
this move toward more complex Internet-based and internal Web
applications, WebObjects offers the following advantages over other
Web tools:
* Data source-independent
WebObjects accesses industry standard relational
databases from vendors such as Sybase and Oracle
as well as an organization's existing data sources
in OLE applications, legacy mainframe applications,
and SAP R/3 databases.
* Server-independent
WebObjects interfaces with common HTTP servers such
as Netscape, NCSA, and Apache.
* Operating system-independent
WebObjects interoperates with Microsoft NT, Sun's
Solaris and SunOS, HP's HP-UX, SGI's IRIX, and IBM's
AIX.
* Browser-independent
WebObjects applications are accessible by Netscape,
Mosaic, and on-line services such as America OnLine.
* Dynamic
WebObjects generates HTML pages on the fly from
multiple data sources tailored to a users request.
* Object-oriented
WebObjects is based on object technology allowing
developers to gain all the benefits of objects;
reusability, maintainability, and scalability.
* Shared technology
WebObjects can share business logic with traditional
desktop client/server applications allowing companies
to maintain one code base.
WebObjects is currently available through NeXT's professional
services organization and will enter Beta testing in the first
quarter of 1996. The product will ship in March of 1996 and will
be sold through NeXT's direct sales force.
NeXT Computer, Inc.
NeXT develops and markets OPENSTEP and WebObjects for building
mission critical object-oriented custom applications for deployment
across popular operating systems and the World Wide Web. OPENSTEP
is the first volume object standard for developing and deploying
cross-platform three-tier client/server applications. And WebObjects
is NeXT's revolutionary database independent development framework
for quickly building interactive Web-based applications.
NeXT is headquartered in Redwood City, California, and has offices
in North America, London, Paris, Munich, and Tokyo.
For more information please visit NeXT's web site at http://www.next.com.
Trademark Info:
NeXT, the NeXT logo, OPENSTEP, WebObjects, PDO, Portable Distributed
Objects, Enterprise Objects Framework, D'OLE, and NEXTSTEP are
trademarks or registered trademarks of NeXT Computer, Inc. All
other trademarks mentioned belong to their respective owners.
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