LOS ANGELES (March 11, 1998) -- SoftQuad, Inc. (NASDAQ:
SWEBF; TSE: SKI), a leading provider of publishing tools for the
Internet and corporate intranets, today introduced HoTMetaL
Application Server, a flexible new Web application development and
deployment tool that empowers Web developers and Internet Service
Providers (ISPs) to create Web applications quickly and easily.
HoTMetaL Application Server provides a robust and secure
development environment that utilizes an XML based scripting
language and HTML-like syntax and therefore offers Web developers a
familiar interface. HoTMetaL Application Server allows developers to
easily view and edit code without exiting the HTML authoring
environment, resulting in immediate productivity gains.
HoTMetaL Application Server also boasts a compact memory
footprint. The product is highly efficient and scalable in a virtual
hosting environment and has no negative impact on an ISP's
cost-per-domain model. ISPs can use HoTMetaL Application Server to
add value and retain long-term customers with applications such as
commerce, on-line catalogs, category-based searches, data validation
forms, message forums and more.
HoTMetaL Application Server's open system architecture fully
supports common industry standards and delivers applications that
are 100% browser independant. HoTMetaL Application Server runs on
multiple platforms, giving ISPs and corporate Webmasters the
flexibility to select the operating environment best suited to each
application. Platforms supported include Solaris, SGI-IRIX, Linus,
Unix, and FreeBSD. A Windows 95/NT version will be available early
in the second quarter of 1998.
"This is enabling technology for the next generation
of distributed Web applications, based on XML as the standard for
data interchange," said Roberto Drassinower, General Manager,
SoftQuad. "And with robust security and commerce features,
HoTMetaL Application Server has the power to handle the most
sophisticated Web applications. Users who are familiar with HTML
will experience immediate productivity gains."
The HoTMetaL Application Server offers users impressive
flexibililty, and comes complete with numerous templates, samples,
and ready-to-use applications such as discussion forums and online
surveys. Each pre-built application is fully customizable and
includes the full source code. Developers can implement applications
that integrate HTML, electronic mail, database and Internet
protocols in just a few hours. SoftQuad plans to release additional
application modules in the third quarter of 1998.
HoTMetaL Application Server includes a ready-to-use commerce
application. Web developers can make use of commerce services such
as payment processing, electronic software delivery and credit card
fraud screening. HoTMetaL Application Server comes with built-in
support for SCMP Commerce API from CyberSource.
HoTMetaL Application Server's powerful integrated database uses
the industry standard xbase file format and allows files to be moved
across different platforms without any conversion procedures. It
also supports ODBC, providing access to legacy data and corporate
applications.
HoTMetaL Application Server incorporates technology from
HTMLScript Corporation, and is 100% compatible with the Miva engine
and Miva scripts.
While the product can be used with any HTML authoring tool, it is
ideally suited for use with HoTMetaL PRO 4.0. HoTMetaL PRO's rules
checking feature reduces errors and dramatically cuts down on
authoring time.
HoTMetaL Application Server is available immediately for $495 per
server with volume discounts.
About SoftQuad Inc.
SoftQuad is a leading provider of
multi-platform, standards-based Knowledge Publishing applications that
enhance work in structured document publishing and structured
databases. SoftQuad’s Alpha division develops, markets and
supports a diverse array of quality software titles for consumers and
business, as well as WebFiler, a quick and secure way for businesses
to set up databases on the Web. Based in Toronto, Canada, SoftQuad is
a founding member and active participant in the World Wide Web
Consortium, the Internet Engineering Task Force and Editorial Review
Boards.