Sterling Commerce, has introduced CONNECT:Direct for the Web communications software broadening the capabilities of CONNECT:Direct's robust, enterprise-class data exchange solution to meet the needs of Web users. CONNECT:Direct is represented in South Africa by Supported Software. "For companies already using CONNECT:Direct, or those looking to implement point-to-point solutions for data exchange, the new features of CONNECT:Direct for the Web extend the benefits to a whole new set of users," says Leon Theron, Managing Director of Supported Software. CONNECT:Direct for the Web enables authorized desktop users to send or retrieve files from production applications through a Web browser. Unlike FTP, e-mail or other Internet communications tools, CONNECT:Direct for the Web is designed with checkpoint restart and auditability features to meet production requirements for enterprise strength data exchange. "CONNECT:Direct is already used today by most of the Fortune 500 companies in industries such as banking, telecommunications and manufacturing as the standard for automating, managing and integrating data flow between enterprise business applications," said Rick Troberman, vice president of marketing for the Communications Software Group of Sterling Commerce. "Use of the Internet has become pervasive to business. Now, with CONNECT:Direct for the Web, our customers are able to fully leverage the Internet by providing their users or trading partners access to enterprise information via intranets, the Internet and extranets. Taking Data Exchange to the Next Level - How it Works CONNECT:Direct for the Web is a Java applet installed on a Web server. To access CONNECT:Direct for the Web, users simply click on the URL address where the product has been installed. Once downloaded, users provide a CONNECT:Direct proxy user ID and pass phrase. They then select which server they wish to communicate with from a drop-down list, the file to be transmitted and the direction of transmission. Users then click on "Start Copy" to begin transmission. Once the request is submitted, a pop-up window monitors the progress of he transfer through completion and confirmation. Taking Data Exchange to the Next Level How it Helps: CONNECT:Direct for the Web's added functionality is well-suited to customers in information-intensive, customer-service industries. CONNECT:Direct for the Web can be used by banks to help increase their breadth of service and expand their reach to new trading partners and end-user customers by automating account information sharing, financial transfers, deposits and balance adjustments. Many banks already rely on CONNECT:Direct to facilitate the exchange of critical financial data between divisions and departments. Now, banks can extend that information exchange capability to the desktops of staff, partners and customers who may not have CONNECT:Direct installed, but do have Web browser access. CONNECT:Direct for the Web is a natural communications extension for the telecommunications industry. National telecommunications providers who regularly exchange billing information with large numbers of local providers often rely on unreliable and/or slow methods of transferring data, such as FTP or other manual processes like shipping tapes. CONNECT:Direct for the Web provides the mechanism for exchanging billing information securely and reliably. CONNECT:Direct for the Web Features Security, Reliability, Ease-of-Use CONNECT:Direct for the Web offers: Production-Class Design: Built for exchanging data between business-critical applications such as convergence billing, medical claims processing and electronic funds transfer, CONNECT:Direct for the Web goes beyond traditional FTP or e-mail by providing enhanced security, auditability and automation features. Efficiency Optimization: CONNECT:Direct for the Web features checkpoint/restart, which automatically picks up a transmission at the point of failure in the event of an interruption, versus resubmitting the entire job. Thin Client Design installed in just one location - on a Web server - rather than on every potential user's desktop, CONNECT:Direct for the Web significantly eases administration, configuration and upgrade requirements. Security: Configured at set-up for secure access control, CONNECT:Direct for the Web only authorizes access to designated users. And, unlike FTP that requires a system user ID, CONNECT:Direct for the Web calls for a specified 'proxy' ID for access, which does not expose the user to interception. Manageability: Full audit capabilities are available for job tracking and analysis. Interfaces with CONNECT:Direct: For those customers who have standardized on CONNECT:Direct to integrate their data flow between business applications, CONNECT:Direct for the Web is seamlessly integrated with CONNECT:Direct. National Language Support: For error messages, CONNECT:Direct for the Web communicates in German, French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese. CONNECT:Direct for the Web communicates with CONNECT:Direct servers over a TCP/IP network and requires Netscape Navigator 4.04 or Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.x or 4.x, Java 1.1 or greater, TCP/IP, Microsoft Java Virtual Machine 2339 for Internet Explorer support and an 800X600 or greater SuperVGA monitor.
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