News Briefs and Product Shorts

Brightline Technologies to Ship Lightweight J2EE Server for Domino Boxes

Wondering how IBM will handle its Domino-WebSphere convergence and what effect it will have on your Domino shop? With new software Brightline Technology is introducing at LotusSphere this month, you'll be able to take matters into your own Domino-loving hands. Brightline will introduce a lightweight Java 2, Enterprise Edition (J2EE) application server called the Brightline Application Server, Enterprise Edition, which is designed to run on existing Domino servers. The new server software supports Lotus Notes/Domino Version 6 and will let users extend their Notes/Domino applications with Java technology, including Enterprise JavaBeans, Java servlets, JavaServer Pages, and Java Messaging Services. The software maker hopes to attract Domino shops that are concerned about IBM's Java bandwagon but won't shell out for a full version of WebSphere Application Server. The software is expected to ship this quarter at a cost of $2,500 per server.

Manufacturer Achieves First DB2/400 Integration with Salesforce.com CRM Software

The utility computing method appears to be working out well for JLG Industries. The manufacturer of hydraulic lifts, which relies on AS/400s for its back-end data processing, is using on-demand CRM (customer relationship management) services from salesforce.com to create a centralized repository of customer data for its sales, customer service, marketing, and management organizations. "We knew we wanted a hosted CRM model so we would not have to bear the infrastructure investment burden," says Scott Milligan, director of sales process development at JLG, which had revenues of $760 million in 2003 from operations on six continents. The company is using Salesforce.com's sforce 2.0 on-demand application to provide its sales teams with real-time access to data housed in AS/400 servers. This appears to be one of the first successful integrations of DB2/400 data with Salesforce.com's offering. The San Francisco company, which is seeking to go public this year, tried to connect its on-demand software with OS/400-based ERP data for manufacturer Textron in 2001, but Salesforce.com said its XML data exchange was not ready to accomplish the task at the time. In August 2003, JLG acquired a major business unit from Textron.

ProData Ships WDSc Plug-In for OS/400 Database Utility

You can now use ProData Computer Services' Database Utility (DBU) to work with and to explore the DB2/400 database directly from within the WebSphere Development Studio client (WDSc), thanks to a new plug-in. In late December, ProData announced the new WDSc plug-in for DBU, which provides database access through the Remote System Explorer. DBU is a handy utility designed to make it easy for developers to view and access any file in the iSeries database, without programming. The new WDSc plug-in provides a fourth way to work with the tool, in addition to the Windows-based DBU/GUI client, the traditional server-based green-screen version, or through a plug-in for iSeries Navigator (formerly Operations Navigator). DBU 6.0 is available now for $1,995. The WDSc plug-in is available for download from ProData's Web site, at www.prodatacomputer.com.

Plant Maintenance Provider Finds OneNeck for Outsourced J.D. Edwards App

Plan maintenance services provider MOR PPM has elected to outsource its entire J.D. Edwards World software system to OneNeck IT Services, an application service provider near Scottsdale, Arizona. MOR PPM, a 2,500-employee company that has provided plan maintenance and support services for industrial, commercial, and governmental clients, including power plants, pulp and paper, chemical and general manufacturing facilities for the last two decades, decided to outsource its core finance, payroll, human resources, and project management processes in order to save money following a recent reorganization, according to Mike Roach, MOR PPM's chief financial officer. The contract has a three-year lifespan. OneNeck, which participated in the former J.D. Edwards Managed Application Solutions partner program, manages the J.D. Edwards environments of a number of other companies, including candy-maker Russell Stover, asset management service provider GSI, and the construction firm Gilbane. OneNeck also provides expertise in PeopleSoft Enterprise and Baan ERP applications.

La Brea Finds Intentia Good Match for Growing Business

A Southern California breadmaker reports good results following the implementation of Intentia ERP software on an iSeries. La Brea has enjoyed a steady demand for its artisan breads since it opened its first storefront bakery in Los Angeles in 1989. As word spread of the delicious bread, and La Brea began opening branches in other cities, the company realized its IT system needed upgrading to keep pace with growth, especially in the areas of inventory control and order tracking. Because one of La Brea's sister companies had good results with Intentia's Movex software running on OS/400, the bakery decided to make the move. La Brea went live on the Java-based Movex following a four-to-five month implementation by Computer Configuration Services, and today the baker is enjoying a tighter production schedule, which keeps ingredients fresh and gets the bread out quicker. In the front office, Movex provides sales forecasting and has quickened the invoicing process.

Global Helps Beauty Care Company Access BPCS Data from Excel

C.B. Fleet, a manufacturer of health and beauty products based in Lynchburg, Virginia, reports positive results from an installation of Global Software's analytical software for the iSeries. The manufacturer, which sells more than 60 products in 75 countries, needed a way to streamline the creation and dissemination of reports from its SSA Global ERP package, and found Global's Spreadsheet Server for BPCS up to the task. Joe Carroll, C.B. Fleet's accounting director, said Global Software's expertise in working with BPCS data files was a "tremendous benefit" in enabling the company to access its data more efficiently. The Distribution Manager component of Spreadsheet Server for BPCS, Carroll added, "will save at least one day's worth of effort in disseminating our monthly reports."