Magic Delivers Stronger .NET Client with uniPaaS 1.8

Published: June 23, 2009

by Alex Woodie

Magic Software yesterday launched uniPaaS version 1.8, a new edition of its framework for developing and running rich Internet applications that live in the cloud, in the customer's data center, or a combination of the two. With this release, the Irvine, California, software company is offering new integration points with Microsoft .NET, which Magic says will enrich the user experience, particularly for Windows Mobile apps.

First unveiled in early 2008 as G5, uniPaaS is Magic's new flagship platform for rich Internet applications and the software as a service (SaaS) delivery mechanism. It borrows heavily from the rapid application development expertise of Magic's old eDeveloper product, which targeted Windows and System i platforms, and delivers a customizable .NET-based rich Internet application (RIA) client that is neither a fat client, nor a thin client, but a "fit client," according to Magic.

uniPaaS continues eDeveloper's focus on Windows and System i technology, and leverages the technological advantages of each platform. To that end, uniPaaS relies on Microsoft and its .NET technology for developing RIAs, and it relies on the System i server for running the back-end code. In fact, the System i is currently the only supported server for uniPaaS, according to Magic's uniPaaS FAQs. It also supports integration with existing RPG and COBOL apps, which is beneficial to existing AS/400 and iSeries customers.

With uniPaaS version 1.8, Magic has boosted the offering's capability to generate .NET code through its core "metadata engine." This allows users to bypass the "intensive .NET code-writing stage" and instead design and deploy .NET applications for any supported Windows client, including for desktops and mobile devices.

The new version delivers better back-end connectivity from Windows Mobile applications running on handheld devices, Magic says. With this release, it's just as easy to develop and deliver a SaaS-based Windows Mobile applications that's fully integrated with backend ERP systems as it is to develop a full RIA interface that installs to the desktop.

In addition to better .NET and Windows Mobile functionality, another theme that Magic is driving with the version 1.8 release is continued adaptability and technological change. "Magic Software applications created at any point in the past, whether for DOS or early versions of Windows, can now be deployed on modern .NET supporting systems such as Vista and Windows Mobile devices," says Avikam Perry, Magic's CTO and vice president of products.

uniPaaS applications can be hosted on the Web, run in the customer's data center, or a mixture of the two. For more information on uniPaaS, visit the vendor's Web site at www.magicsoftware.com.

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