HP Announces Global Code-Management Solution for Under $1,000; Introduces UIM X 2.9 GUI Builder with Novice Mode.

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 6, 1995-- Hewlett-Packard Company today announced SoftBench CM -- a new global, configuration-management tool for under $1,000 -- and the UIM/X 2.9 GUI(1) builder -- complete with a new novice mode. Both extensions to the fast-growing SoftBench application-development family are tightly integrated with the SoftBench team-programming environment, which is targeted for UNIX(R) system-based computer programmers working in C, C++ COBOL or FORTRAN.

The SoftBench CM product provides multisite code-management capabilities that differentiate it from such public-domain CM tools as RCS and SCCS. SoftBench CM provides transparent networked access to files, making it easier for teams of developers to work concurrently on complex applications.

HP is the first UIM/X distributor to offer UIM/X 2.9. The novice mode in Version 2.9 offers programmers a fast start on X, Motif(tm) and GUI building, thus allowing them to experience the full power of UIM/X more quickly.

HP's SoftBench family of application-development solutions is growing rapidly. The company reported a 47 percent revenue growth rate in 1994, outpacing overall market-growth projections for UNIX system-based application-development products.

"Where software development is a critical factor for business success, HP is the safe bet for team development solutions," said Jim Davis, general manager of HP's Software Engineering Systems Division. "SoftBench CM and UIM/X 2.9 operate as integral parts of the established SoftBench solution. Customers get sizzle and safety in a single, premier package."

SOFTBENCH CM: DESIGNED TO MANAGE CODE ACROSS LOCAL AND REMOTE TEAMS

Software-development organizations are growing in size and geographic complexity. SoftBench CM is a global configuration-management product that provides control of large amounts of distributed code. It was designed to meet code-management challenges among team members, across teams and even across continents. SoftBench CM can scale to support a large number of users, supporting hundreds of thousands of files across geographically separated development teams.

The SoftBench CM client/server architecture allows easy access to multiple local or remote file servers. Developers no longer have to be on the same local area network to share files.

SoftBench CM is fully integrated with all language versions of the SoftBench solution, giving SoftBench programmers a familiar use model by which to manage code. Developers can access SoftBench CM from any of the SoftBench tools, including the editor, builder or static-analysis tool.

"There's a sweet spot in the market for SoftBench CM because users of free CM tools are looking for more distributed code-management capabilities," said Davis. "Though higher-end CM tools also can meet this need, customers are wary of overbuying. SoftBench CM is value-priced."

UIM/X 2.9 FOCUSES ON EASE OF LEARNING

GUI development is a key part of any software-development effort, often accounting for more than 50 percent of an application's code. Managers and developers need ways to improve the learning time and cycle time for GUI development.

HP's UIM/X GUI builder, from Visual Edge Software, Ltd., addresses both of these needs. The UIM/X 2.9 novice mode is designed specifically to reduce the complexity of Motif, thus enabling users to learn Motif, X Windows and UIM/X more quickly.

The simple push of a button integrates the full power of UIM/X 2.9 with all work done in novice mode. In this way, even the novice user can take full advantage of the graphical-layout, behavior-testing and code-generation capabilities that have made UIM/X the leading Motif GUI development environment, according to a 1994 report by the X Business Group. The full power of UIM/X allows developers to experience the productivity gains so desperately needed for GUI development.

UIM/X 2.9 also provides an easier integration between C++ programs and C-based Motif code. UIM/X now provides accelerator keys that allow programmers to insert conditional code wrappers for C++ program code, identify method specifiers for C++-generated code and further define C++ classes. These additional features help programmers realize more tangible benefits with object-oriented programming.

U.S. PRICES AND AVAILABILITY

SoftBench CM is expected to be available worldwide on HP and Sun platforms in April. SoftBench CM is $995 per license to use.

UIM/X 2.9 is expected to be available worldwide on HP and Sun platforms in June. It is $4,995 per license to use.

Hewlett-Packard Company is a leading global manufacturer of computing, communications and measurement products and services recognized for excellence in quality and support. HP has 98,200 employees and had revenue of $25 billion in its 1994 fiscal year.

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Note to Editors UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries, licensed exclusively through X/Open(tm) Company Limited. X/Open is a trademark of X/Open Company Limited in the UK and other countries. Windows is a U.S. trademark of Microsoft Corp. Motif is a trademark of the Open Software Foundation in the U.S. and other countries.

(1) GUI stands for graphical user interface.

CONTACTS: Hewlett-Packard Company

Diane Fromme, 303-229-2255