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Software Mag - Evo Converts Client/Server Apps Without Rewrites

January 29, 2007

Software Magazine
Application Development Product Coverage
Evo Converts Client/Server Apps Without Rewrites
http://softwaremag.com/l.cfm?doc=1016-1/2007

Jan 29, 2007 - Vgo Software has released a tool to aid developers in accelerating the conversion of legacy client/server applications to modern, multi-tiered, J2EE-compliant architectures. Evo presents an automated approach to code conversion, with no proprietary components whatsoever.

"For the developer we: 1) visualize the existing application, 2) allow them to define object relationships, and 3) convert the old code into new code which is clean, clear and easy to augment and maintain," says Ernst Renner, CEO of Vgo Software.

The tool is flexible and can be customized to generate converted code that meets specific customer J2EE standards or preferences. It translates the code in a client/server application directly from the source. The first version, for Oracle Forms, translates code from an FMB or PLL file, for example. Evo also collects metadata from the database and uses it to generate a persistence layer for the Java application.

The combination of both the client code and the metadata in the database make it possible for a developer to consolidate objects through association. "With Evo, a developer can essentially say, 'Convert this once using this object,' and Evo will perform the consolidation and make calls to that object in the appropriate places within the converted application," Renner explains.

By converting the application rather than rewriting it from scratch, an organization can retain and intelligently reuse the business logic it has already developed and invested in. "Evo addresses the need for maintainable and J2EE 'intelligent' code, while also dramatically reducing the amount of time it takes to perform the conversion," Renner adds.

The product roots through an existing Oracle Forms application and identifies all of the repetitive code. A developer can then determine what to merge into a single object. The object consolidation and reuse capability creates a much cleaner code base, Renner says. Other things that set Evo apart from its competitors include the ability to customize the engine to an organization's specific Java preferences, and clean and standard code with no proprietary DLLs, runtimes, or IDE dependencies.

Pricing for Evo for Oracle Forms starts at $10,000 and varies on a per-form basis.

Competitors include a complete rewrite from scratch, Ciphersoft's Exodus, and Exaltec's B+ Competitive Migrator.

Customers include one of the U.S.'s top five retailers, two Fortune 500 insurance providers, and a large distribution and logistics company.

For more information, go to: www.vgosoftware.com

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