OpenDemand Unveils Web Performance Test Tool
(Newark, NJ) - OpenDemand Systems has released OpenLoad v4.0, which is a browser-based load and functional testing solution to ensure the performance, availability, and reliability of enterprise Web applications and services. It has been developed to address a need in the market for simple, powerful, and affordable automated test tools. OpenDemand v4.0 offers midmarket firms an alternative to complex legacy load testing tools, giving them the ability to perform productive testing of dynamic Web sites without having to develop complex scripts or perform complicated data analysis.

OpenLoad v4.0 automates the scripting process by inspecting the contents of each response and automatically parameterizing the appropriate session variables on the user's behalf. This approach helps to eliminate the need for complex scripting and debugging, allowing users to quickly build robust data-driven user scenarios. The "script-free" recorder offers out-of-the-box support for PeopleSoft applications using versions 8.0 and later, enabling PeopleSoft implementers and administrators to easily test customized modules.

This offering provides full support for functional and performance testing of Web services. OpenLoad's Web service transaction recorder allows users to capture SOAPrequests without a GUI and offers a browser-based interface that enables both technical and non-technical users to manipulate XML data elements.
www.opendemand.com

dynaSight Analytics Approved for WebSphere Platform
(Wayne, PA) - arcplan, a business intelligence (BI) software provider and IBMAdvanced Partner, received approval of its dynaSight BIplatform for use with the WebSphere middleware product environment.

The dynaSight software platform enables the quick creation of custom analytic applications that integrate with various data sources to present business data in a manner that is easily understood - including graphics, tables, and dashboards. Its integration within the WebSphere portal allows enterprises to combine disparate data sources and present the information in a consistent, Web-based, dynamic interface.

According to Jim Burke, arcplan's vice president of business development, "arcplan's dynaSight provides the rapid application development and direct interaction with the WebSphere components required to deliver on-demand business performance management solutions."
www.arcplan.com

IBM Achieves Top UK"Innovation Prize
(Hursley, UK) -- IBM has received a UK engineering award for WebSphere MQ, its middleware breed of software. The Royal Academy of Engineering's MacRobert prize rewards technological and engineering innovations.

Used by global banks, WebSphere MQ has helped to transform e-commerce by enabling data transfers across computer systems without the need for custom coding. Banks that provide Internet services use the software to ensure that transactions occur without mistakes, even when the computers go offline.

With the software, vital information can be swapped between computer systems, regardless of location and whatever hardware, programming language, or operating system is being used.

The software was developed in 1994 to allow applications on any of over 40 separate platforms to communicate and handle data transfer easily. In the past, systems were connected through custom coding.

Increased End-to-End Transactional Visibility for CICS Applications
(Danbury, CT) - Bristol Technology Inc., a provider of transaction tracking and monitoring solutions, has announced an enhanced CICS TransactionVision Sensor that increases end-to-end transactional visibility for business transactions. It allows customers to track business transactions including stock trades, funds transfers, and insurance claims, through existing CICS applications. With this capability, users can track transactions across CICS, Web services, J2EE, LMS, and WebSphere MQ.

The expanded TransactionVision CICSSensor allows customers to automatically and non-intrusively discover transactional flows by correlating asynchronous parallel events from all of the applications in the business process. www.bristol.com

Axeda Extends Support for IBM"Products
(Mansfield, MA) - Axeda Systems Inc., a provider of device relationship management software and services, has announced expanded support for IBMproducts in the release of the Axeda DRMsystem. Device and instrument organizations can leverage IBMtechnologies, including eServer xSeries running Linux, WebSphere Applications Server, and Tivoli Directory Server to deploy their remote service solutions.

The Axeda DRM system allows service and support personnel to remotely diagnose, repair, monitor usage, and manage software of deployed devices. It is a distributed software system that securely transmits status and usage data via the Internet from remote equipment to service representatives, notifying them if a device is operating outside preset performance standards. In an effort to increase customer satisfaction, it has been designed to reduce the number of support calls, unnecessary service visits, and improve device uptime.
www.axeda.com

IBM SIMPLIFIES SOA SECURITY AND MANAGEMENT
(Austin) TX) - IBM has announced that four new business partners have enhanced their solutions to support IBM's identity management software, bringing additional security and management capabilities to clients who deploy service-oriented architectures (SOAs). IBM is working with XMLfirewall vendors to ensure their products work with IBMTivoli Access Manager to enable customers to simplify security and identity management of Web services in SOA deployments.

Customers had requested a centralized security management solution for securing their SOA to help integrate their systems with partners, suppliers, and their own customers. Clients now have the options and flexibility to integrate security management into their Web services solutions, thereby reducing administration costs, accelerate time to market, and increase operational efficiencies in SOA deployments.

Developers and information technology (IT) staff can incorporate security as another component in SOA, allowing them more time to focus on creating reusable business components that can be deployed quickly to respond to changing market conditions.

The products that interoperate with Tivoli Access Manager include:

• Digital Evolution Service Manager: an XML and Web services management and security solution that implements policy enforcement and comprehensive SOA enablement
• Reactivity XMLFirewall: a Web service security appliance that helps enterprises deploy secure Web services
• VordelSecure/VordelDirector: an XMLgateway and XMLsecurity server that enables organizations to deploy and configure security, both inside and outside the organization
• Layer7 SecureSpan: a standards-based solution for coordinating security and integration policy across a Web services transaction

WILY TECHNOLOGY RELEASES J2EE APPLICATION PERFORMANCE SERVICES
(Brisbane, CA) - Wily Technology, an enterprise management company, has announced the availability of a J2EE Performance Consulting Practice to aid customers and partners in establishing best practices for managing and monitoring Java environments. The J2EE Performance Practice includes a suite of technical services, educational offerings, and business partner programs that have been designed to complement its application management software solutions.

The foundation of the J2EE Performance Practice offerings is Interscope 5.0, the enterprise application management solution, which has been designed to ensure the performance and availability of mission-critical applications and supporting systems.

J2EE Performance Practice is intended to help customers and partners understand the roles and responsibilities required for day-to-day operations of Java-based applications, as well as how to define and set best practices for managing such applications.

The professional services offerings are designed to transfer critical technical and process skills to customers. The new offerings include:

• Web Application Management Assessment: This is a service which evaluates current performance management practices to identify opportunities for improvement and deliver findings and recommendations leading to a better control of Java Web environments.
• Java Performance Management Deployment Services: This helps customers develop a comprehensive deployment plan, install and configure products and other relevant solutions, implement monitoring and reporting procedures, develop and document deployment processes, integrate with existing systems management frameworks, develop and execute a rollout plan across life-cycle phases and develop customer reports.
• J2EE Monitoring Business Consultants (JMBC): Consultants will help customers and partners understand best practices and benefit from their expertise.