SilverStream Flows Into Web Services

SilverStream Software Inc. last week continued its push into the Web services arena, rolling out a portable Web services engine and tools as part of the latest point release of its application server.

SilverStream Application Server Version 3.7.3 includes support for such protocols as Extensible Markup Language, Simple Object Access Protocol, and Universal Description, Discovery and Integration.

It includes jBroker Web, a Web services engine that assists developers in building and deploying Web services using Java. Like other SilverStream products, it supports Java 2 Enterprise Edition application servers beyond the companys own server, including IBMs WebSphere, BEA System Inc.s WebLogic and Oracle Corp.s 9iAS.

In April, the Billerica, Mass., company outlined its plan to roll out SilverStream Extend, a Java-based wrapper designed to change existing applications into Web services. It sits atop the application server.

Some customers expressed concern that SilverStreams initiative, while a good business move for the company, would draw the companys focus away from its core application server product. But Misha Davidson, SilverStreams product manager for application servers and tools, said that businesses are moving toward Web services and that SilverStreams technology must support multiple servers.

"It is very important to allow our customers to build truly portable applications," Davidson said.

The newest edition of the application server includes SilverStream Extend Workbench, which offers such features as wizards, visual designers and archive-based projects to simplify the development of J2EE and Web services applications.

SilverStream Application Server Version 3.7.3 is available now. Customers can download jBroker Web for free at the companys Web site.