Data Management
Adobe puts Acrobat in 3D mode
Adobe Systems Inc. announced the immediate availability of Adobe Acrobat 3D, desktop software that helps extend document-based 3D design collaboration capabilities to virtually anyone across and beyond global organizations.
With Acrobat 3D, design engineering, technical publishing and creative professionals in manufacturing industries such as automotive, aerospace and industrial machinery, as well as the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) market, can convert 3D models from a variety of major computer-aided design (CAD) formats and embed them into Adobe PDF files-regardless of whether they have CAD software.
The capabilities of Acrobat 3D allow users to enhance the interactivity of 3D objects in PDF documents by editing lighting, adding textures and materials, and creating animations such as assembly and disassembly instructions. When enabled by Acrobat 3D, Adobe Reader users have the ability to view product structure and leverage commenting, measurement and cross-section tools directly on 3D objects in Adobe PDF files.
Acrobat 3D is immediately available in English, French and German language versions. The Japanese language version is expected to be available in February. The product has an estimated street price of US$995. Registered users of Acrobat 7.0 Professional and Acrobat 6.0 Professional can upgrade to Acrobat 3D for estimated street prices of US$545 and US$699, respectively. The product is available for Microsoft Windows 2000 (with Service Pack 2), Windows XP Professional, Home and Tablet PC Editions, and IBM AIX® 5.2, HP UX 11.0, SGI IRIX 6.5, and Sun Solaris™ 2.8 (for Acrobat 3D Capture utility).
SQLWays 3.9 automates migration
Ispirer Systems Ltd. released a new version of its automated migration software, SQLWays 3.9.
Companies that want to take advantage of SQL Server 2005 to manage mission-critical information and run complex business applications can use SQLWays to migrate their existing databases to the Microsoft’s database management product.
SQLWays supports conversion from a number of databases including Oracle, IBM DB2, Informix, Sybase, PostgreSQL, MySQL, Progress and others. SQLWays is that it automates the entire conversion process transferring data, schema, procedures, functions and triggers. As a result, it requires minimal resources and time to complete a migration project.
The tool offers advanced capabilities for data type mapping, resolves reserved word conflicts, converts views, primary and foreign keys, unique and check constraints, auto-increment columns, NULL and default attributes and other database properties. During conversion SQLWays uses various new features of SQL Server 2005 like exceptions for error handling in stored procedures.
SQLWays also provides facilities to convert SQL scripts used for database maintenance routines as well as SQL statements in C++/Java/.Net applications including complex dynamic SQL statements defined by conditional expressions.
ComponentOne optimized for Visual Studio developers
ComponentOne released ComponentOne Studio Enterprise 2006 v1, a component toolset for Windows, Web, and Mobile application development. The first release of this component subscription for 2006 includes over 28 products compiled natively for Visual Studio 2005 and delivers product enhancements focused on accelerating visual development with Microsoft Visual Studio 2005.
Select Studio Enterprise components for Visual Studio 2005 now include SmartDesigners, aimed at simplifying the design-time experience and enhancing productivity on the .Net Framework 2.0. The SmartDesigners allow developers to set the components’ most common properties without leaving the design surface. Products integrate with Visual Studio 2005 Windows Forms by supporting features including Smart Tags, Snap Lines, data binding, GDI+ text, and Managed Themes.
The ASP.Net 2.0 Web Forms components fully support ASP.Net 2.0 features including Smart Tags, data binding, resourced-based scripts and images, and ASP.Net 2.0 Themes. The re-engineered version of Preview for .Net adds printing and print preview capabilities to Windows Forms applications and features an enhanced object model.
CRM tool allows online edits
SplendidCRM Software, Inc. has released the beta 2 of SplendidCRM 1.0, a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) application licensed in part under the SugarCRM Public License.
Beta 2 allows businesses both to add custom fields and to modify each field layout to include the custom fields. A terminology manager allows online editing of every label as well as the ability to import language packs originally written for SugarCRM.
The beta 2 release of SplendidCRM 1.0 is available today, and the final release is expected in Q1 2006. Licensed versions range in price from US$120 to US$240 per user and include additional source code, patches, and minor upgrades.
Employee Project Clock exports to Microsoft
CyberMatrix has released version 5 of Employee Project Clock, a project time tracking system. Employee Project Clock is designed for companies that must record the project work times of several employees from one or more workstations.
The most significant change in version 5 is the addition of Microsoft Project export features. In addition, projects can now be edited right from the main screen. Referential integrity features have also been added. Employee time can be further broken down by selecting an optional client, project or task. Employees can also be split up into shifts. Administrators can manage projects and expenses and even build their own reports using the custom reporting feature.
Employee Project Clock runs on Windows 95, 98, ME, NT 4.0, 2000, XP and 2003 server. System requirements: Pentium, 32 MB RAM and 20MB hard disk space. Employee Project Clock costs US$75 for a single-user license.
Host Analytics adds integration for HR plans
Host Analytics announced a version if its budgeting software, Host Budget, that addresses the integration between workforce management and project budgeting.
As enhancements to the already-existing workforce management and project budgeting modules, the new level of integration enables finance departments to ensure their hiring plans reflect the resource requirements of their of their projects, and that the budgeted costs for those resources are accurately reflected in both plans, the company said. Although the prior version of Host Budget contained both detailed workforce planning and project budgeting capabilities using standard costs, the new version offers the ability to use actual costs from the HR plan. Also, the “to be hired” headcount requirements from a project plan are now integrated with the HR plan.
Infrastructure
Emerson offers CoolFrame for BladeFrame systems
Emerson Network Power and Egenera introduced CoolFrame, which integrates Emerson Network Power’s Liebert XD cooling technology with the Egenera BladeFrame EX system, which was also introduced. The CoolFrame solution allows customers to deploy Egenera high-performance servers while adding virtually no heat to their facilities and represents the first time Liebert XD technology has been used to deliver cooling directly to a server rack.
Adding CoolFrame to a BladeFrame EX reduces the heat dissipation of the rack to the room from as much as 20,000 watts to a maximum of 1,500 watts without impacting the performance of the 12 processor cores per square foot, the companies said. The CoolFrame solution is also designed to greatly reduce the energy costs for data centre cooling of a BladeFrame EX environment by eliminating 1.5 kW of fan load per rack from the room cooling system. At full capacity this equates to a 23 percent reduction in data center cooling energy costs. At reduced loads the percent savings is even higher.
The Liebert XD is a waterless cooling solution that delivers focused cooling through an infrastructure that includes a pumping unit or chiller and overhead piping system with quick-connect fixtures. Flexible piping connects Liebert XD cooling modules to the infrastructure. A single pumping unit or chiller provides 160 kW liquid cooling capacity for up to eight BladeFrame EX systems. The cooling modules do not impact the BladeFrame EX system’s cable management and serviceability features and add no additional footprint or power requirements, Emerson said.
The CoolFrame solution will be available by the second quarter of this year.
Retail Systems Manager gets Enterprise Edition module
NCR has introduced an enhanced version of NCR Retail Systems Manager (RSM), a software tool that monitors, diagnoses and resolves store technology issues remotely.
Featuring a Enterprise Edition module, RSM comprises a set of software components that reside on a server and a store’s NCR RealPOS terminals, NCR FastLane self-checkouts or NCR EasyPoint kiosks running on a Microsoft Windows software platform. It provides 24-7 remote monitoring and alerting, remote access, remote diagnostics and remote resolution.In addition to the new Enterprise Edition, RSM Release 2.0 also includes RSM Local Edition, which provides local diagnostics on terminals and other systems, and RSM Site Edition, which serves as the in-store monitoring point.
RSM continuously monitors the systems in each store, including peripherals, for potential trouble spots. The software filters information from the devices, compares it to pre-determined thresholds and provides alerts on conditions that require attention. Customer support personnel can leverage the software to remotely access the store and devices to via a standard Web browser and leverage a full range of tools – from state-of-health and error descriptions to complete system control – to diagnose and resolve issues in real time.
RSM includes an enterprise-level asset repository, for accurate tracking of installed technology, and an enterprise-level historical alert repository for trend analysis and issue diagnosis – both with reporting capabilities. In addition, the software provides the ability to manage terminal images through a built-in Pre-Boot Execution Server, which enables remote deployment of new terminal images and expedites disaster recovery through the application of a fresh terminal image. It also offers software distribution functionality, as well as the ability to remotely flash BIOS or other firmware.
Security
DeviceWall HIPS has rules against malware
SoftSphere Technologies announced the release of a version of DefenceWall HIPS, a rule-based protection against malware designed to thwart illicit activities of malicious programs.
By limiting the rights of applications and processes most vulnerable to attacks, users can prevent the threats from spreading their tentacles into such critical system areas as registry and system boot, drivers and services, physical memory and global hooks SoftSphere said.
Moreover, the application of the proactive methods known as sandbox andvirtualisation shields a system from zero-day threats, for whichsignatures have not yet been prepared. Unlike reactive signature-basedsolutions, DefenceWall HIPS v1.20 develops the immunity to any virulentprocess in the system, according to the company.
The program is developed as a set-and-forget security solution and, once the user defines the lists, it takes over the care of the system’s security. No pop-ups or dialogues with policy requests will appear. Only the system tray indication and the program’s event log provide information on illicit activities. But even in the absence of any response from the user, the program blocks all attempts of Untrusted modules or processes spawned within to trespass the borders of virtual zones allocated to them. It is possible, however, to terminate activities of applications or the whole Untrusted group manually, by clicking the red button in the program window.
Symantec goes after small business security market
Symantec Corp. announced Symantec Mail Security 8220, an appliance designed to help small businesses secure their organization from spam and email-based malicious code while ensuring their email remains an effective tool for collaboration and communication.
In addition to consolidating antispam and antivirus protection, Symantec Mail Security 8220 includes an e-mail firewall, traffic shaping, content filtering, and content compliance capabilities in a single appliance. Symantec Mail Security 8220 Appliance features multilayered anti-spam technology designed to maximize detection rates without impacting legitimate messages, giving small businesses the same protection used in more than 300 million mailboxes today. Protection powered by Symantec AntiVirus technology provides real-time scanning for inbound and outbound messages, automated updates, and flexible policies for handling messages containing viruses.
Storage
EMC adds entry-level array, file system, NAS technology
EMC Corp. introduced a range of storage and virtualization solutions, including a high-end storage array, file system software and network attached storage (NAS) virtualization capabilities.
The products include entry-level and high-end configurations of its flagship EMC Symmetrix DMX-3 storage array, including those featuring Fibre Channel (LC-FC) 500GB disk drives, which enable a single high-end storage array to scale beyond a petabyte (1,024TB) of capacity. EMC Multi-Path File System for iSCSI (MPFSi) file system software, meanwhile, was designed for data intensive environments that process large files over IP networks, including grid computing, rich media, software development and others.
EMC also announced enhancements to the EMC Rainfinity Global File Virtualization platform, including Global Namespace Management, which provides a unified view of all files and file systems located on heterogeneous file servers on an IP network. The Rainfinity platform now also includes Synchronous IP Replication, which provides improved protection capabilities.
Enhancements to the EMC Centera content addressed storage (CAS) system, include Event-based Retention and Litigation Hold software features that are designed to give customers more security, flexibility and control over their archived information for regulatory and legal purposes.
WirelessFone Folio brings Windows files to BlackBerry
Circuit Systems‘ Fone Folio, a Windows application that lets you view your important Windows files on your cell phone, now makes it possible to view these files on a RIM BlackBerry. With Fone Folio users can check their customer files, study for an exam, show off pictures, examine spreadsheets, and perform thousands of tasks on a BlackBerry or cell phone.
In addition to built-in support for all versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint since version 97, and for Corel WordPerfect, Quattro Pro, and Presentations (version 10 or newer), the software also works with generic text, comma delimited files, and 12 of the most popular image file formats.
All data is encrypted, ensurin privacy and security. All data is compressed, for fast access on a BlackBerry or cell phone. Fone Folio removes the bloated information from Microsoft Office or Corel documents, before it delivers them to a handheld device. The software supports bold, italic, underline, color, justification, vertical alignment, bullets, embedded tables, and text wrap.
Fone Folio runs under Windows 98SE/Me/2000/XP, costs US$5.99 per month, and is available online.
