Compuware Delivers Major New Version of UNIFACE

Uniface Seven Enables Large it Users to Tackle Complex, Business-Critical Applications

Compuware/UNIFACE CU2 Users Conference, AMSTERDAM, Oct. 21
Compuware Corporation (CPWR) today announced UNIFACE Seven, the first major new version of the development environment since its acquisition by Compuware in 1994. Version Seven builds on UNIFACE's heritage as a leading implementation environment for some of the world's most complex, business-critical applications. UNIFACE Seven begins beta testing today, and is scheduled for general availability early in 1997.

"UNIFACE Seven redefines the criteria for implementing strategic applications," said Frank Slootman, General Manager of the UNIFACE productline at Compuware.

"The issue is no longer speed of development. Systems must be built anticipating rapid change in business structures, processes andtechnologies. UNIFACE Seven features the development paradigm, the deployment architecture and delivery support to thrive in this new order."

UNIFACE Seven is the first implementation of the recently announced strategic framework called "UNIFACE in 3D." The framework is based on the three critical dimensions that shape successful strategic applications:

Model-driven development

UNIFACE Seven takes the model-driven development environment to new levels of abstraction via the introduction of a new series of high level application components. These include a new business object called an Application Service. UNIFACE Application Services are units of work that contain distinct business functions and behaviors. UNIFACE Application Services are executable anywhere on the network, and are also used as the partitioning object at deployment time.

Infrastructure-independent deployment

UNIFACE Seven introduces the Universal Deployment Architecture, which enables UNIFACE-built applications to be run across the widest range of deployment options in the industry, including host, client/server, multi-tier and Internet/Intranet.

Value-added delivery

UNIFACE Seven introduces new tools and technologies for application delivery. In addition, organizations are now provided with a choice of application delivery strategies: custom in-house development with UNIFACE tools and technologies; a Compuware project engagement with UNIFACE design, development and project management services; and a packaged application or application framework based on UNIFACE.

New in UNIFACE Seven

The UNIFACE Seven Development Environment will feature a new UNIFACE component structure that will provide modelling at the business object level, an object interface through 'methods,' an extended template mechanism to facilitate object inheritance and a new developer workspace that provideexpress navigation and location facilities.

The UNIFACE Seven Deployment Environment will include:

The Universal Deployment Architecture, providing infrastructure-independence containing:

UNIFACE Application Server -- a new distributed application server

UNIFACE WebEnabler -- a new product for Internet/Intranet deployment

UNIFACE Name Server -- for large distributed system environments

UNIFACE PolyServer -- UNIFACE's data access and integration server

Runtime partitioning
'Drag and drop' partitioning
Support for synchronous and asynchronous processing
Message-based communications
Support for parallel transactions
UNIFACE PolyServer extended to MVS mainframe environments
Native database access to DB2, VSAM and IMS

UNIFACE Seven Delivery will include:

Start-up packages to jump-start development
Implementation standards and guidelines for quality and consistency
Pricing will be communicated when UNIFACE Seven becomes commercially available early in 1997

UNIFACE in 3D

The UNIFACE in 3D Strategic Framework allows large IT users to successfully implement complex, business-critical applications in the midst of business and technology change. The framework is based on the three critical dimensions that shape strategic applications: model-driven development, infrastructure-independent deployment and value-added delivery. UNIFACE in 3D extends the existing cornerstones of UNIFACE and combines them with Compuware's track record of building large strategic applications.