The Java-based productivity solution, eSuite WorkPlace, is ready to ship this month on the IBM Network Station Series 1000 offering users quick access to e-mail, Web browsing and a set of compact, business productivity applications. Unveiled in November, the eSuite family of products is a new class of business productivity solutions built specifically for the network computing environment and designed to reduce the cost of computing while increasing productivity and speeding deployment of Internet and intranet applications. "Response to the pilot version of the software among the several hundred customers, business partners and independent technical reviewers now working with the product has reaffirmed our assessment of the strong market demand for eSuite," says Oscar Rozario, Lotus Development technical sales manager. The eSuite WorkPlace applets, including a word processor, e-mail, spreadsheet, calendar, address book and presentation graphics, are built in Java; are small, fast, and modular; and load quickly on demand from a server. "These tools provide functionality for a broad class of users who need access to focused desktop computing tools, but do not require the comprehensive functionality of a traditional office suite," Rozario says. "eSuite allows access to existing enterprise applications and is built to coexist in enterprise environments that include traditional office suites." It enables enterprises to reduce their computing costs and increase end-user productivity. In addition eSuite provides IT managers with a desktop solution that is centrally deployed and maintained, thereby minimising the training, deployment and maintenance costs associated with traditional desktop computing solutions. "The eSuite WorkPlace, together with the Network Station, delivers a quick and easy way to begin integrating key Java applications into existing customer environments," says Rozario. Lotus also announced that preview code of the eSuite DevPack, a set of Java-based applets for building interactive Internet applications, is now available as a free download from the eSuite Web site (http://esuite.lotus.com). Providing Web developers with Java-based applets to create interactive applications, the downloadable eSuite DevPack preview includes a word processor, spreadsheet, chart, presentation graphics, project scheduler. Also shipping are a set of data access applets, sample applications and other utilities required to create Internet solutions. "With a simple Web browser and a secured log-in password, managers can quickly build summary reports from data stored in back-end systems and Lotus Domino databases. This is done gracefully through the Java technology and business productivity applets offered in eSuite," Rozario explains. Lotus is undertaking a comprehensive programme to educate developers on building interactive Web applications with eSuite DevPack. The programme will include worldwide training workshops, broad distribution of sample code, the publication of a developer`s guide and participation in Java developer`s conferences.
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