Imaging Experts

.NET, Web Services, or Java – Why Not have it all?

It wasn’t that long ago that we all accessed our data through applications that worked strictly on the client or were part of a client/server solution. With enterprise data access as a given today, it seems that all new development is designed to allow users to access their documents and data via the Web. 

Several concerns determine the corporate philosophy for what technology will be used to create any new ECM system. Certainly platforms that are well supported and likely to survive well into the future are a prerequisite. Manufacturer/vendor independence is also important. And thirdly, are products and/or developers available to allow you to create or integrate these systems.

As an established provider to the ECM market, we cringe when we talk to clients who are bleeding edge hungry – eager to try the newest technologies or the youngest vendors. It isn’t folklore that more than 50% of all enterprise software systems fail to ever operate successfully.

We’ve learned over the years that it’s more than technology that makes the difference in success. Yes, product and features are important. But reliability, pedigree, and robustness between different platforms and application software are critical to easy deployment. And the ability to find knowledgeable programmers and engineers or professional services groups is also key –because as you should all know, the glue to all implementations is the people.

So how does this all relate to the headline? How can you have it all? 

Snowbound’s philosophy is to serve the market professionally and comprehensively. We don’t preach about programming preferences or the right platform for your application. We know our customers have strong preferences based on knowledge of their markets. So we let you do it your way. 

If you have standardized on Java tools and solutions, we have them for you - from clients that allow you to retrieve, view, annotate and manipulate your documents and images to conversion programs to development tools. 

And if you’re more excited by .NET and Web Services, we have a family of products for viewing, conversion and development as well. Do you want to mix and match – we even let you do that. Java applets with .NET server components or .NET clients with Java servlets, we have it all. And because we build it on a code base that we have nurtured over many years, it works with few surprises. Ask us about our many satisfied customers.

-Simon

MSJVM... Going Going Gone

Many of you are probably already aware that Microsoft's JVM will soon be obsolete. In fact, it even has an expiration date, December 31 2007. Happy New Year...out with the old and in with the better. This is not to say that Java applications such as Snowbound's FlexSnap family of viewers and imaging technology will just cease to function. It does however mean that the MSJVM will no longer be supported. Users should not only be aware of this but take the proper steps to stay informed about this obsolete software and move away from the MSJVM before December 31, 2007. This includes identifying both internal and licensed applications that depend on the MSJVM. Businesses that plan their transition ahead of time will be at an advantage and have adequate time to identify their MSJVM dependencies and applications, and then establish a migration plan to test and deploy other solutions.

From the Microsoft Website: "The MSJVM is obsolete code that is no longer enhanced or developed. Microsoft recommends that consumers who are using MSJVM-dependent programs consult their software vendors' Web sites for any information on action they might need to take in the future. For instance, users might be advised to update or replace their current versions before December 31, 2007."

Sun Microsystems, providers of the popular Sun JVM, have an existing agreement with Microsoft enabling them to use Sun's source code and compatibility test suites, thus allowing Microsoft to extend support for the MSJVM until the end of this year. Does this mean that Sun's JVM is the logical replacement for the MSJVM? It seems to be the most popular, and from what most users will say, the most reliable and compatible. But if you want to play it safe you are best off contacting your Java solutions provider and seeing what they recommend. It never hurts to be in touch with your partners and vendors during a transition like this.

- Ed