| From: KOBAL::FREBURGER "OO is 'the software industry's equivalent of oat bran' - NY Times 31-Jul-1990 1631" 31-JUL-1990 22:33:11.39
To: oo-interest
CC: FREBURGER
Subj: Object-Oriented Database Announcement
Author: HANS GYLLSTROM @ALF
Date: 31-Jul-1990
Posted-date: 31-Jul-1990
FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY
OBJECT-ORIENTED DATABASE ANNOUNCEMENT
I am pleased to announce that Database Systems (DBS) and Objectivity, Inc.
have agreed to a joint development partnership to market and distribute
Objectivity/DB, an object-oriented database (OODB). External announcement of
this relationship is scheduled for early August.
Objectivity/DB is the first database management system (DBMS) designed to meet
the unique functional and performance requirements of engineering applications.
Targeted at engineering and scientific users, Objectivity/DB enables
application developers to focus their resources on developing applications
rather than development of proprietary storage management systems.
Objectivity/DB can support diverse hardware platforms, third party vendor
applications and engineering domains.
Objectivity/DB is a complimentary solution to VAX Rdb/VMS, Digital's relational
database product. VAX Rdb/VMS is a high-performance, high-capacity relational
database for VMS, supporting production applications, end-user
information management, and application development. Objectivity/DB is an
object oriented database primarily used for some applications in computer-aided
design (CAD), mechanical computer-aided design (MCAD), Computer Integrated
Manufacturing (CIM), and medical applications.
Objectivity, Inc., located at Menlo Park, CA, provides engineering database
management software and support services worldwide. The company's sole focus
is on providing a foundation level DBMS with the specific functionality and
performance demanded by the engineering and scientific markets.
Objectivity/DB is now available on DECstations and will be available on VAX VMS
and ULTRIX in Q2 FY91. It will be free of charge for Digital Equipment
Corporation internal use and will be available through a Digital Distributed
Software (DDS) license for customers. Availability for customers through
the DDS agreement will be in Q2 FY91.
Objectivity/DB will be the foundation for Digital's OODB product which will be
available in Q2 FY92. Database Systems will work with Objectivity to enhance
the Objectivity/DB product to meet the broader requirements of Digital's end
user customer base. The OODB product will be integrated into Digital's
Distributed Database solution based on RdbStar. DBS will also ensure that
the OODB product leverages Digital architectures and complies with the
corporate Object-Oriented Framework.
DBS will be announcing both the OODB and the DEC Trellis Object System in
October 1990. Trellis is an object-oriented application development environment
that runs on all DEC platforms (VAX and MIPS, VMS and ULTRIX). Trellis supports
DECwindows and works with RDB through a SQL interface. Trellis will be
integrated with the Objectivity/DB to enhance its capability as a front-end
tool for object-oriented database applications. Shipments of DEC Trellis and
the OODB will begin in late Q2FY91.
If you have any questions concerning our OODB strategy, please contact
Jim Rye (DATABS::Rye) who manages the Object-Based Systems group in DBS.
Hans Gyllstrom
Manager, Database Systems Group
To Distribution List:
KEN OLSEN @CORE,
& others...
|
| PLEASE NOTE: THE DATELINE FOR THE OBJECTIVITY RELEASE IS
AUGUST 8TH. THE FOLLOWING ARE THE Q&A FOR THAT RELEASE.
Q&A FOR CORP/91/937
DIGITAL TO MARKET OBJECT-ORIENTED DATABASE
FROM OBJECTIVITY, INC.
Q1: Will the object-oriented database replace Rdb?
A1: No, they are complementary solutions. OODBMS satisfy a very
specific requirement in specialized application domains
where the object model is a good fit, such as very complex
applications where one is concerned not only with the data
but the structure as well. OODBMS have a knowledge of both
data and structure and are capable of manipulating this
information. ECAD, MCAD, and CASE are all areas where an
object-oriented database technology was sorely needed yet
unavailable.
Q2: Has there been any investment by Digital in Objectivity,
Inc.?
A2: No.
Q3: What is the nature of the agreement between Objectivity,
Inc. and Digital?
A3: Digital and Objectivity have entered a joint development and
marketing relationship centered around Objectivity's
object-oriented database. The intent is to offer
Objectivity/DB through our Digital Distributed Software
(DDS) program, which will entail Digital licensing the
software and Objectivity, Inc. manufacturing and supporting
the software. And, at the same time, the OODBMS will be
integrated with Digital's software architecture.
Another key focus of the partnership will be to help define,
drive and support emerging OODBMS standards.
Further information on the scope of the program will be
available over the next few months.
Q4: Is this an exclusive agreement with Objectivity?
A4: No, an exclusive agreement would be counter-strategic to our
goal of providing a multi-platform environment.
Q5: How is object-oriented database technology different from
relational technology?
A5: Object-Oriented Databases provide the same basic database
functions as do relational systems but the data model is
different. The oo concepts taken from object-oriented
programming languages such as an object (data and behavior
combined into a single entity), encapsulation (information
hiding or the separation of implementation from interface),
typing (organization principle behind oo programming) and
inheritance (ability for objects to inherit characteristics
from each other) are coupled with database features such as
reliability, concurrency, recovery, etc.
The OODBMS is well-suited for very complex applications
where one is concerned not only with the data but the
structure as well. OODBMShave a knowledge of both data and
structure and are capable of manipulating this information.
Q6: What is Digital's view of how OODBMS will be implemented and
used?
A6: We already know that there are a number of applications that
have had to make do with private file structures. The most
obvious cases are in the area of CAD, CASE, and CIM. We
have also found that a number of financial and medical
institutions are requesting OODBMS. Access and usage
methods associated with CAD/CASE/CIM applications do not
follow the more traditional TP model where relational is so
appropriate. Some of the needs which point to an OODBMS
solution are:
o ability to store and retrieve complex data structures
efficiently
o ability to roam around a design space without waiting -
traversing quickly and transparently from object to
object
o support for a large number of heterogeneous objects
o support for a large number of accesses to individual
objects
o support for a large number of dynamic relationships
Q7: What is the current state of the object-oriented technology
in the marketplace?
A7: Much of the technology is in its infancy but evolving
quickly. Programming languages are seeing increased
acceptance in both the technical and commercial spaces. The
OODBMS are really targeted for the more technical and
research oriented application spaces and many tool vendors
are planning their next generation systems on them.
Development tools are needed to complement both the
languages and databases and we expect to see more of them
integrating the object methodology over time with these
platforms.
Q8: When will you begin shipping the object-oriented data base?
A8: Dates are not available at this time. More information will
follow shortly including product and pricing details.
Q9: What other products is Digital's enhancing in their
portfolio to include object-oriented database products?
A9: It is Digital's policy not to discuss future or unannounced
products and projects.
Q10: What is the pricing of this product?
A10: This information will be available when we release
availability dates.
Q11: Will the Objectivity database work with Digital's Rdb?
A11: Digital believes it is essential to integrate the OODBMS
with our relational technology to optimize the level of
service our customers need. This integration is planned and
will occur over time.
Q12: DEC's view of where the technologies are going.
A12: Object-oriented technology will affect most major aspect of
computing. In the immediate future we see it impacting
languages, tools, and databases. The greatest benefit of
the technology will be realized when one is working with
complex modeling tasks (i.e., generative process planning in
CIM or portfolio management in Financial segments) and
applications as well as in the area of user interfaces and
interactive tools. The evolution of the technology will
begin to occur more rapidly now that more enterprises are
becoming successful with their OO system prototypes and
pilots.
|
| Brian Duggleby
Digital Equipment Corporation
(603) 884-2423
DRAFT - CONFIDENTIAL
DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION TO MARKET OBJECT-ORIENTED
DATABASE FROM OBJECTIVITY, INC.
MAYNARD, MA -- August 8, 1990 -- Digital Equipment Corporation and
Objectivity, Inc. today announced a joint development and marketing
partnership for Objectivity/DB, an object-oriented database management
system (OODBMS). As part of the agreement, Objectivity/DB will be
sublicensed and distributed to end-users by Digital.
Object-oriented database management systems represent a new generation
of DBMS, complementary to relational databases. The object-oriented
approach has proven to be ideally suited for supporting the complex data
encountered in applications such as engineering and Computer-Aided
Software Engineering (CASE). Objectivity/DB, released in April, runs on
multiple hardware vendors' platforms and supports software development
across a variety of application domains.
"This joint technical and business partnership capitalizes on the unique
strength of both companies," said David Stone, VP of Digital's Software
Product Business Group. "Digital provides leadership in database and
core technology and can offer the essential levels of service, education,
and support to ensure success. Objectivity has exhibited technical
excellence with Objectivity/DB and has in-depth knowledge of the
engineering market. These strengths, along with our combined commitment
to drive efforts in developing and supporting emerging OODBMS standards,
guarantees our customers the maximum return on their investment."
Objectivity/DB is a complementary solution to VAX Rdb/VMS, Digital's
relational database product, because each provides a solution to different
types of applications. VAX Rdb/VMS is a high-performance, high-
capacity relational database for VMS, supporting production (OLTP)
applications, end-user information management, and application development.
Objectivity/DB is an object-oriented database that provides support for
the types of data, operations, and performance required by applications
such as electrical computer-aided design (ECAD), mechanical computer-aided
design (MCAD), and computer-aided software engineering (CASE). There
are also a variety of specialized applications in the area of computer
integrated manufacturing (CIM) and in laboratory sciences that benefit
from an object-oriented database.
"The focus of Objectivity's sales and support efforts is on engineering
and scientific markets," commented Bob Field, President of Objectivity.
"Our technology has much broader applicability, however, and our relationship
with Digital enables their worldwide sales and support organizations to
meet the needs of customers in the broader markets."
Broad platform coverage and an open architecture were significant
considerations in the selection of an object-oriented database vendor.
"The computer business has been changing over the years," said Hans
Gyllstrom, Manager of Digital's Database Systems Group. "Multi-platform
coverage has become important when providing key software technology and
solutions. Many enterprises are responsible for developing applications
which are deployed in heterogeneous environments. In addition to requiring
multi-platform support, Digital customers also demand tight integration with
our portfolio of products and Information Network. By forming this strategic
alliance with Objectivity, we are in the exciting position of being
able to deliver a powerful and well-integrated OODBMS while maintaining
application portability in a heterogeneous environment."
Both companies have committed to working together within industry standard
organizations to advance evolving standards for object-oriented systems.
This announcement comes within weeks of Digital's recently announced
corporate membership with the Object Management Group (OMG). The OMG is an
international organization of software developers, computer system vendors,
and software application users focused on developing standards and guidelines
for implementing object-oriented database management systems and programming.
Both Digital and Objectivity are active members of the Open Software
Foundation (OSF) and the CAD Framework Initiative (CFI).
Objectivity, Inc., located at Menlo Park, CA, provides engineering database
management software and support services worldwide. The company's
marketing focus is on providing a foundation level DBMS with the specific
functionality and performance demanded by the engineering and scientific
markets.
Digital Equipment Corporation, headquartered in Maynard, Massachusetts,
is the leading worldwide supplier of networked computers systems and services.
Digital offers a full range of computing solutions and systems integration
for the entire enterprise -- from the desktop to the data center.
CORP/91/937
####
Note to Editors: VAX Rdb/VMS is a trademark of Digital
Equipment Corporation and Objectivity/DB is a trademark
of Objectivity, Inc.
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