WebPutty Application Platform Version 6 Simplifies and Accelerates Development of Web-based Corporate Applications

New visualization and development features streamline the development of complex business applications; WebPutty now a leader in model-driven development

SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 21, 2002 -- In response to the increasing complexity and inter-connectedness of business systems, WebPutty Inc. today announced Version 6 of the WebPutty Application Platform. In software development, knowledge is power, and Version 6 of the WebPutty Application Platform gives developers more of both. More knowledge, with powerful new visualization tools that enables developers to better understand the architecture and interdependencies of distributed applications. And more power, delivered through built-in intelligence that speeds the development process and automatically optimizes architecture.

The WebPutty Application Platform is designed to enable developers to create complex Web-based business applications - even if they aren't experts in distributed architectures or programming languages. Also called "distributed" or "n-tier" applications, these mission-critical systems are typically built using a .NET or J2EE architecture, are database-driven, have multiple integration points with external systems and Web services, and are accessed through a browser. Written in multiple languages on multiple servers, these applications are characterized by complex architectures and many hidden interdependencies that complicate development and make applications brittle and difficult to change. The WebPutty Application Platform automates common development tasks such as automatically repairing interdependencies, and provides developers with a single, unified environment for developing, integrating, and maintaining applications.

"Ease of development, flexibility and unlimited customization for our clients are the reasons our document management systems are built on WebPutty," said Kelly Hess, Executive Vice President of Corporate Repository. "We service large corporate clients like Shell Oil Company and Unocal Corporation, each with its own unique organizational and business requirements. We needed to deliver an application that would enable easy customization, based upon their own internal needs, and the WebPutty Application Platform provided the solution."

Version 6 of the WebPutty Application Platform continues WebPutty's focus on simplifying development by adding modeling functionality that enables developers to understand the relationships between databases, components, Web services, and UI elements. "Distributed applications quickly become overwhelmingly complicated," said David K. Chamberlain, President and CEO of WebPutty. "Consequently, it becomes very difficult for developers to predict the effects of development decisions. Dynamic modeling vastly improves a developer's ability to understand and manage applications."

The new visualization and development features in Version 6 of the WebPutty Application Platform include:

Better Visualization

-- Dynamic Modeling - WebPutty's new modeling functionality provides powerful new views into applications, including object relationships, dependency mapping, and UI flow. Unlike traditional modeling tools, dynamic models remain synced to the underlying application - when the application changes, the model changes, and vice-versa. Hidden relationships and dependencies are now immediately visible to developers, removing much of the trial-and-error guesswork of development.

-- Application Dashboard - For the first time, developers and IT staff can get up-to-date status on all elements of an application, from database tables to business objects to UI screens. The unified dashboard includes information on global architecture, integration dependencies, and version history.

Faster Development

-- Application Patterns - Application Platforms enable developers to quickly add new functionality to applications, while letting WebPutty handle the implementation details. Developers apply Application Patterns using a wizard-driven interface, customizing the functionality to their application's needs. The WebPutty Application Platform automatically builds out the functionality, creating the required database, logic, and UI elements, and integrating the new feature into the existing application.

-- Automated Release Management - WebPutty now automatically writes the install package for application upgrades, and guarantees stable deployment. This feature removes a time-consuming and risky step from the development process, and enables much more frequent upgrades - and therefore more flexible applications.

-- Anywhere, Anytime Development - Version 6 of the WebPutty Application Platform now includes two interfaces: a browser-based business rules editor that enables analysts and business users to change business logic from any device, and a rich developer client for advanced development and visualization functionality.

The Need for a New Approach to Business Systems

The rise of Web-based business systems has created new challenges for enterprise developers and IT staff. Whereas monolithic applications were written in a single language and ran on a single machine, modern applications are made of many different elements, written in different languages and running on multiple machines. For example, a business system might use data from several different databases, be integrated with an ERP system, have business logic running on an application server, be connected to a partner's Web services, and be accessed by users through a Web interface consisting of hundreds of different Web pages.

The increased performance and functionality of these distributed applications comes at a cost of vastly increased complexity: with so many different-yet-interdependent parts, building, integrating, and maintaining distributed applications has become a daunting task. Enterprise developers are often handcuffed by hidden complexity, with critical functionality being delayed out of fear of unforeseen consequences and ripple effects. This complexity and brittleness is a key contributor not only to the high failure rates and ballooning costs of development projects, but also the inability of applications to rapidly adjust to changing business requirements.

In a Research Note titled "Producer Platforms and SODA Will Shift the Application Development Approach," dated May 16, 2002, Gartner Research identified WebPutty as a vendor of a new variant of next-generation application development platforms -- a Producer Platform. The report stated, "Enterprises must select a producer platform when seeking to build more-flexible, service-oriented and composite systems or when seeking to remove the burden of coding from their development staffs."

About the WebPutty Application Platform

The WebPutty Application Platform consists of three main elements:

-- WebPutty Development Suite. Provides developers with comprehensive tools for building and extending applications, including advanced features such as model-driven design, development automation, and self-repairing applications.

-- WebPutty Interoperability Modules. Automatically discovers and integrates existing databases, systems, and Web services. In combination with the Development Suite, enables developers to perform both integration and new development in a single environment, dramatically streamlining the creation of composite applications.

-- WebPutty Server. Guarantees enterprise-class architecture and implementation, including optimized scalability, reliability, and security. Ensures application flexibility by automating application upgrades and dynamically re-optimizing upgraded applications.

Pricing and Availability

WebPutty Development Suite is sold as part of WebPutty Application Platform Version 6.0. It is available for immediate delivery. For pricing information please contact WebPutty Inc. at 888.841.4932, or visit http://www.webputty.com.

About WebPutty, Inc.

WebPutty Inc. provides a comprehensive, integrated, open platform that enables companies to build and change applications within their existing infrastructure. The WebPutty Application Platform seamlessly supports next-generation software models with a flexible application infrastructure that significantly reduces the risks, cost and complexity of building and changing enterprise applications. Founded in 1997 and based in San Jose, California, WebPutty is privately held and venture-funded by Bain Capital Ventures, SAC Capital and Seneca Capital. For more information, please visit or call 888.841.4932.

Legal Notice: All rights reserved. WebPutty is either a trademark or registered trademark and the WebPutty logo is a service mark of WebPutty Inc. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. Certain features described in this document have not yet been released, and will be available in future releases of this product. Specifications are subject to change without notice.

    --30--wg/sf*

    CONTACT: WebPutty, Inc.
             Terry Hanold, 408/282-4046
             terry@webputty.com