Financial Database Services Selects Four J's to Web-enable Brokerage Applications; Four J's Java Front End Brings Back-Office Functionality into the Field.

Business/High Tech Editors

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 16, 2001

Four J's Development Tools, a leader in the market for Rapid Application Development tools for traditional and e-commerce business applications, has been selected by Financial Database Services (FDS) to Internet-enable FDS's brokerage applications.

FDS has chosen Four J's Java Front End to create an Internet-compatible version of its Field CAESAR product, which keeps track of brokerage firm trades, products, licensing, commissions and general ledger accounting. Four J's Java Front End has allowed FDS to extend Field CAESAR's functionality, giving it the ability to provide agents in the field with real-time, up-to-date access to customer, product and transaction information over the Internet.

"Employing Four J's Java Front End was an absolute necessity," recalled Eddie Hillard, President of Financial Database Services. "Four J's Java client allowed us to take rich back-office functions and move them out to the Internet very quickly."

Four J's Java Front End

Four J's Java Front End allows developers to deploy applications over intranets and the Internet via any standard Web browser. With the capabilities of the Java Front End, developers can create new applications or evolve existing applications to support Internet or intranet transactions.

"Java is widely regarded in the IT industry as a standard for the Internet and, in particular, for Intranet applications," remarked Bryn Jenkins, Chief Operating Officer, Four J's. "Four J's Universal Java Front End allows existing applications to be accessed from any Java-compatible device without redevelopment."

"It's allowed us to make several tasks accessible to field force agents," noted Hillard. "These include the ability to update client account information, review customer investment positions and activity, download forms from the back office, enter trades directly to the back office, review pending and historical commissions, receive principal approval of new accounts and process and print reports."

Java Front End Advantages

"Four J's Java Front End communicates directly with a web server, which is located separate from the application server. The separation of web and application server provides far higher security, since a hacker penetrating the web server is never granted access to the application logic and the databases. All other security mechanisms such as SSL, TCP/IP secure tunneling, DMZ, replication and firewalls are also supported," noted Jenkins.

In addition, the user interface created by Four J's Java Front End works with the Java Virtual Machine, independent of the terminal being used. Thus, by centralization of application logic on the server, Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is dramatically reduced.

"The advantage to using Four J's is that we could augment our existing application, rather than rewriting in another language or developing a new front end that might be incompatible with existing source code," noted Hillard. "In addition, with Four J's, we didn't have to retrain programmers, nor did we have to hire new programmers who know a new language."

"Our customers are pleased," Hillard reported. "We have three clients that are live, five additional clients in development and testing and others that are quickly signing on."

Technical Highlights

-- The Java Front End communicates exclusively with the web server, without
direct access to the application server, resulting in higher security.

-- A Client Java Application Connector (CJAC) provides the communication
between the web server and the Dynamic Virtual Machine (DVM) on the application
server.

-- Runs with all conventional web servers, processing servlets acc. to JSDK 2.0
(Apache 1.3.x or higher, Sun JavaWebServer, Allaire JRun, W3C Jigsaw and many
more).

-- Supports all conventional web browsers with JDK 1.1 and Swing (Microsoft
Explorer 4.x up Windows and Macintosh), Netscape Navigator 4.5 up (Windows,
Unix), Sun HotJava, etc.

-- Works as a stand alone Java application.

-- Usage of the standard "HTTP" eases administration and maintenance of
routers, firewalls....

-- Can be used in combination with the Java plug in (not required).

About Four J's

Founded in 1995, Four J's is a leader in the market for rapid development of mission critical business applications for traditional or Internet deployments. With over one million users and five thousand developers worldwide, Four J's is installed across small, medium and large enterprises.

Four J's assists enterprises in re-purposing existing applications towards the 'New Economy', thanks to an innovative and flexible Business Development Language supporting seamless integration with the latest standards such as HTML, Java(TM), WAP(TM)/WML and XML. Recently, Four J's Business Development Language earned a government technology "Finalist" award at the Federal Office Systems Exposition (FOSE) 2001.

Four J's has a direct presence in Australia, France, Germany, North America, Mexico and the United Kingdom and is represented throughout the world through over 1,000 Value Added Resellers. Four J's France is located in Montpellier, Paris and Strasbourg. The company has been profitable for the last 3 years.

About Financial Database Services

Financial Database Services (FDS) is a San Diego-based company dedicated to the development and support of its CAESAR system, a software package designed to keep track of brokerage firm trades, products, licensing, commissions and general ledger accounting.

CAESAR automates many aspects of the back office, and was created in direct response to the need for computer automation in the stock brokerage industry. Initially developed in 1985 as a custom application for one customer, CAESAR has evolved into a back office system suitable for all fully disclosed broker dealers.

Financial Database Services' customers include divisions of several brokerage firms and financial institutions, including The Travelers Group, SunAmerica, Liberty Mutual, GE Capital and Phoenix Home Life.

Four J's America and Four J's IDE are trademarks of Four J's Development Tools. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.