ATLANTA, Oct. 26, 1998 — Microsoft Corp., Toshiba America Information Systems Inc. and CoreTech Consulting Group Inc. today announced the establishment of a Microsoft® Windows® Distributed interNet Applications (Windows DNA) architecture development lab for corporate development teams and independent software vendors (ISVs).
Located in metropolitan Atlanta at the Cobb Galleria Center, the DNA solutions lab was created as a joint venture by the software, hardware and information technology consulting firms to provide corporate and ISV development teams with hands-on experience in harnessing Windows DNA technologies and understanding how the technologies can be applied in their respective enterprises.
The new development lab was modeled after Microsoft’s Porting Lab in Redmond, Wash., which was designed for ISVs interested in quickly porting their applications to the latest multitier architectures. When the waiting period for interested ISVs extended well over three months, Microsoft began talks with CoreTech to create regional facilities that could serve corporate developers as well as ISVs. CoreTech and Microsoft selected Toshiba as a partner to sponsor the grand opening of the DNA solutions lab in the southeastern technology hub of Atlanta.
One of the first teams to utilize the new lab is Clarus Corp. of Atlanta.
“The compelling reason for sending a team to the DNA lab revolved around its delivery focus,”
said Robert Holler, vice president of research for Clarus.
“As opposed to a theoretical or conceptual technology development approach, our team was exposed to and gained expertise in the physical design and implementation of Microsoft DNA architecture. Both Microsoft and CoreTech professionals provided expert architectural advice and technological direction within the context of a well-defined project. The project deliverables included sample code, design specifications, object models and a wealth of reference material. The short- and long-term value of this one-week lab investment has been tremendous in defining our transition to this technology.”
Windows DNA is an architectural framework for building modern, scalable, multitier distributed computing solutions that can be delivered over any network and offers a unified approach for integrating the Web and client/server and host computing models. The lab provides a means to transfer knowledge on all required technological tools and associated interconnections in the context of the customer application, with the benefit of on-site skilled technical experts.
“Windows DNA is the most effective way to extend legacy applications to the Internet. Consequently, the demand for customized, rapid training in Windows DNA is overwhelming,”
said Marty Paradise, general manager, Southeast region, Microsoft.
“Customers understand the value of the strategy and are very interested in using Windows DNA with their applications and their developers.”
The lab provides a one-week knowledge-transfer
“boot camp”
for corporate and ISV development teams that want to migrate their applications to Windows DNA technology. Clients send a team of three to five developers to the lab to work with their project to attain goals customized for their organization. Because the work is specific to the client, teams achieve real, applicable deliverables at the end of the lab. The lab is viewed as an ideal starting point for organizations trying to kick-start concepts, develop proof-of-concept, integrate new applications and jump-start a project or team for ongoing applications development.
“It is vital that development teams have a clear understanding of the technology so that good architecture decisions can be made early in the process,”
said Jerry Martin, manager of business development for Microsoft solutions at CoreTech.
“As corporations adopt new and emerging technologies, Windows DNA becomes the obvious platform of choice. Here, significant efficiency can be gained with experienced architects and developers on hand to walk customers through the process. Since extending our ‘no excuses’ development lab environment experience to Atlanta, we are seeing more organizations achieve unprecedented success in getting applications rapidly developed and educating teams in Windows DNA.”
In the joint venture, Microsoft has contributed all software and development tools, has direct involvement through Microsoft Consulting Services, and provides access to its top corporate product group resources in Redmond. CoreTech has provided the lab site at its Southeast regional headquarters in Atlanta, as well as a dedicated team of Microsoft consultants who are experts in architecture, development, deployment and support.
The lab is equipped with the latest high-performance hardware, Toshiba’s new line of Magnia servers, Equium desktop PCs and Tecra notebooks. “This new lab provides companies with a unique opportunity to test their new and proposed developments in a real-world, hands-on environment,”
said Coleman Stone, Eastern region server specialist, Toshiba America Information Systems.
“With Toshiba’s Magnia servers and Equium PCs, the development teams that come here are ensured their work has been completed on the most reliable, high-performance hardware available today. This lab also demonstrates Toshiba’s commitment to providing our customers with a full range of high-quality business products.”
Company Information
Toshiba continues to be the leading vendor of portable computers with 18.8 percent market share in the U.S. market and 20.1 percent worldwide in the second quarter of 1998, according to International Data Corp. The company offers portable, desktop and server computing solutions for business customers under the Toshiba brand name. For dealer referral and product literature, call (800) TOSHIBA (867-4422), or visit the company’s World Wide Web site at http://www.toshiba.com/ .
CoreTech Consulting Group, a Microsoft Certified Solution Provider, is a leading information technology consulting firm that partners with organizations to assist in the assimilation of new technologies. With offices in Philadelphia, Atlanta, Denver and New York, CoreTech provides capabilities that include IT strategy and planning, networks and communications, applications and development, desktop and workgroup systems, support services, IT human resources, and knowledge transfer and learning. More information on CoreTech’s services is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.coretech.com/ .
Atlanta-based Clarus Corp., www.claruscorp.com (Nasdaq
“CLRS”
), formerly SQL Financials International Inc. (Nasdaq
“SQLF” ), is the provider of Clarus, a comprehensive suite of world-class financial and human resource solutions based on the Microsoft BackOffice® family and Web-based corporate service applications designed specifically for midsize to large companies.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
Microsoft, Windows and BackOffice are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
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