Stories by Tom Sullivan

NetSuite unveils integration program

NetSuite has detailed a new effort to let third parties tap its data model as a platform on which to build applications distributed as SaaS (software as a service).

FaceTime greets, disarms spyware

Sometimes the most subtle and accidental applications can open significant holes in an enterprise's security infrastructure. FaceTime Communications is mounting the argument that programs such as instant messaging and Skype will do just that. Granted, it may be something of a self-serving case since FaceTime sells software to block the malware that might penetrate those weak spots, but the argument has some substantial merit to it, according to Peter Christy, principal at Internet Research Group.

BEA enters WebLogic 9.0 into app server fray

Making the latest kick in the application server races, BEA Systems on Monday slid WebLogic 9.0 onto the speedway.

Macromedia marks release of Studio 8

Macromedia on Monday takes the wraps off Studio 8. The new suite includes enhancements to Dreamweaver and Fireworks, and now houses Contribute and FlashPaper, as well.

Startups sell Linux with bundled offerings

Integrating open source applications is a task daunting enough to lead some companies toward proprietary products. To that end, a several startups this week revealed plans to offer prebuilt, certified solutions so customers have fewer integration migraines.

Eclipse issues BIRT 1.0 BI software

The open source community gained another BI option in the form of BIRT 1.0 on Monday, when the Eclipse organization announced general availability of the reporting tool.

Ipedo brings 'dual-core' to EII

Ipdeo on Monday launched XIP 4.0 (Extensible Information Platform) and described it as a "dual-core" EII offering that works with both SQL and the emerging XQuery querying languages.

BI startups aim to undercut bigwigs

BI just may be poised to become the next big piece of the open source puzzle.

Vendors debate industry-specific, customization

What started as a cute marketing slogan -- "Just say no to software" -- may turn out to be a self-fulfilling prophecy. The herd of CRM and ERP ASPs is growing stronger not only in services and features but also in number of customers. And as the herd grows stronger, it's fissuring over whether customers are best served by specialized, industry-specific applications or the tools to customize hosted services for their particular needs.

NetSuite targets services companies with vertical app

Walking the vertical applications path, NetSuite on Thursday added a new service to its fleet: NetCRM-Services Edition.

CA to open source Ingres database

Computer Associates International (CA) is looking to breathe new life into a long-quiet database and, in so doing, is gunning to make it perform better than Microsoft's SQL Server and Oracle's 10g.

CA to unwrap WLAN management software

Computer Associates International later this year will release the final version of an entirely new software product for managing and securing wireless LANs (WLANs), dubbed Wireless Site Management (WSM).

Gric changes name, updates software suites

Remote access provider Gric Communications changed its name on Wednesday and updated tow product suites.

Citrix looks to make access strategic

Under what CEO Mark Templeton called "a new Citrix," the company detailed plans and products Tuesday to transform access into a strategic forethought, rather than a mere afterthought.

ASG teams with TeraCloud for mainframe SRM

ASG Software Inc. aligned with TeraCloud Corp. in a deal whereby ASG offers TeraCloud's SRM (storage resource management) wares.