Citation
Blake, M. (2004), "Things Prime launches generic applications server software", The Electronic Library, Vol. 22 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/el.2004.26322bab.006
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2004, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Things Prime launches generic applications server software
Things Prime launches generic applications server software
Things Prime has announced the launch of its generic applications server software, the first dedicated Web functionality management system (FMS) which enables a business to create dynamic applications for the Web as easily as updating text and images.
In the same way that content management gave businesses the power to control their Web content, generic applications server allows semi and non-technical Web masters to create, configure and deploy commonly required Web functionalities such as discussion forums, online surveys, financial calculators, help wizards and events listings. The traditional approach an FMS replaces means using different software for each function, a need for extensive IT support and often the use of outside agencies. Inevitably this approach incurs unacceptable overheads and causes delays in any roll-out.
“Functionality management is the piece that’s been missing from the enterprise Web-management jigsaw, joining with the content management piece.” Things Prime’s CEO, Tom Routen, comments “A few years back, companies paid astonishing amounts of money to have specialists upload HTML and pictures – now this process is almost automatic. FMS complements content management and empowers a business by finally giving it full control of the aspects of a site which are likely to generate most revenue.”
The generic applications server integrates with all content management approaches. Any technology can be used for the site as generated applications appear as integral parts of existing Web pages. Web masters can not only create applications, but also view an analysis of user behaviour as the applications are used. Things Prime’s flagship product has been under development for three and a half years and is currently unrivalled in terms of functional power, despite the depth and diversity of the functionality available.
The University of Birmingham has recently chosen to systematize its Web management with generic applications server.
“We were easily convinced by the concept of a functionality management system. With hundreds of Web masters for hundreds of sites unable to add dynamic functions without programming, many of them were constantly reinventing applications,” said David Supple, Web team leader. “Now, using a single URL in order to build functions cuts out the unnecessary work and cost of roping in help for functionality programming.”