Joint Release
*** Apple and Advis Announce WebObjects Support For SAP R/3 Apple
Enterprise Alliance Solution Provider Introduces Mantle for SAP R/3 ***
INTERNET WORLD EXPO, CHICAGO–July 23, 1997–Apple Computer, Inc.
(NASDAQ:AAPL) and Advis, a Boston, Massachusetts-based Apple Enterprise
Alliance Solution Provider, today introduced the Mantle for SAP R/3 product
for Apple’s WebObjects application server. Mantle from Advis provides a
WebObjects application developer with transparent access to SAP Business
Objects via the Business Application Program Interface (BAPI) and Remote
Function Call (RFC) interfaces published and supported by SAP.
With Mantle, the data and functionality of SAP R/3 systems can be
integrated with the dynamic web capabilities of WebObjects for rapid
development and deployment of robust, highly scalable, corporate intranet,
and World Wide Web business applications. SAP is the leading global
provider of client/server business application solutions. According to IDC,
SAP is the number one vendor of standard business application software and
the fourth largest independent software supplier in the world. R/3 is SAP’s
enterprise-wide application system implemented by large organizations
seeking to integrate their business information.
WebObjects with Advis Mantle for SAP R/3 WebObjects is an application
server and development environment for the rapid implementation of dynamic
enterprise-scale web applications. WebObjects is currently available for
the Windows NT, Sun Solaris, and HP-UX operating systems, and Apple’s
next-generation operating system, code-named Rhapsody. Mantle for SAP R/3
is provided as additional developer components to WebObjects and consists
of three highly integrated capabilities:
An Enterprise Objects Framework (EOF) adaptor providing data transport and
object messaging between a WebObjects server and an R/3 system. R/3 system
log-in and user authentication is one key function handled by this
component of Mantle.
An Enterprise Objects framework that maps the object structure of a
WebObjects application to SAP R/3 business objects and their associated
BAPI and RFC interfaces. This component of Mantle enables the developer to
link the objects used in a dynamic web application with SAP business data.
A graphical WebObjects palette of SAP-enabled objects for association with
standard HTML components (i.e. text fields, drop-down boxes, tables, etc.)
This palette is fully integrated with WebObjects to support drag and drop
of these objects into a web page design.
A leading Enterprise Alliance Solution Provider Advis is an original NeXT
Object Channel Partner and now a leading Apple Enterprise Alliance Program
member. This long-time association with advanced object technology has
enabled Advis to establish a strong competency and a successful track
record in helping clients to design and implement enterprise applications.
“The Mantle product from Advis is a superb example of an EAP partner
helping Apple provide enterprise business functionality to large
corporations,” said Mitchell Mandich, vice president of Apple’s North
America Business Division. “With this EAP solution and Advis’ respected
implementation services, Apple’s enterprise technology is an advanced and
compelling new approach for SAP users to web-enable their R/3 applications.”
An integration platform approach at BOSE Corporation BOSE Corporation was
an early user of the Mantle functionality for development of a
browser-based tele-marketing intranet application. This application
presented the users with product information from a SAP R/3 system and
demographic information from a relational database. “The innovation Advis
showed with their Mantle solution helped us provide our customer service
group with a web-based front-end application for our R/3 V2.2 system,” said
James Dowling, director of Information Technology at BOSE Corporation. “As
part of our integration platform strategy, we are considering this
capability for additional cross-platform applications to integrate R/3 data
with data from our other systems.”
Founded in 1993, Advis is a privately held company specializing in
multi-tier information architectures and distributed object applications
that leverage advanced technology for compelling enterprise business
solutions. Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts with northeast, southeast
and west coast regional offices, Advis provides object developer solutions
and implementation services to Fortune 500 companies implementing
distributed computing environments. Major corporate clients include Fannie
Mae, Aetna US Healthcare, MCI, Merrill Lynch and Stratus Computer.
Apple Computer, Inc., a recognized innovator in the information industry
and leader in multimedia technologies, creates powerful solutions based on
easy-to-use personal computers, servers, peripherals, software and Internet
content. Headquartered in Cupertino, California, Apple develops,
manufactures, licenses and markets solutions, products, technologies and
services for business, education, consumer, entertainment, scientific and
engineering and government customers in more than 140 countries.
Contacts:
Paul Reed David Kay
Advis Apple Computer,Inc.
(617) 574-7106 (408) 974-5858
preed@advis.com dkay@apple.com
www.advis.com
Press Contacts:
Linda Mazurek Diane Hayward
Corporate Ink Apple Computer,Inc.
(617) 969-9192 (408) 974-0180
Lmazurek@corporateink.com hayward1@apple.com
Apple’s home page on the World Wide Web: http://www.apple.com/
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