In Brief: Exadel VCP eases development complexity

Tools vendor Exadel Inc. unwrapped Visual Component Platform (VCP) 1.0 Monday. VCP is a framework for making it easier for developers to build business applications based on open-source and Java technologies.

In particular, the tool allows developers to have more control over the look and feel of applications they create.

In formulating VCP, Exadel drew on its experiences developing the mortgage.com application for ABN Amro Mortgage Group Inc., according to Fima Katz, Exadel founder, chief executive officer and president. The tools company formally started work on VCP in the first half of last year, he said in an interview.

Many companies are under pressure to upgrade their Web applications to give them the “cool interface” that Google Maps provides as well as improving functionality, Katz said. Trying to develop such applications can prove complex and time consuming to a company’s in-house development team.

With VCP, Exadel is attempting to mask the complexity, making it easier for developers to build applications using a combination of components based on JavaServer Faces and components enabled by AJAX (asynchronous JavaScript and Extensible Markup Language) technology. The components are also “skin-enabled,” allowing developers to customize, such as changing colors and fonts in an application on the fly without changing code, Katz said.

“We’re using JavaServer Faces and AJAX,” John Thompson, project manager with electronic reseller HSN, said in an interview. “Exadel understands how to get the two technology to play well together.”

HSN started using Exadel’s Studio Pro Web application development tool last year for initial development work on a complex financial control application, according to Thompson. Once complete, the application will look for errors in expected and actual billing on the packages HSN sends to customers and will let the company verify what it should be paying for shipping costs.

“We’ve been very happy with Studio Pro,” Thompson said. “It’s definitely sped up development.” HSN plans to migrate from Studio Pro to some of the VCP components as it continues work on the financial control application, he added.

Exadel is selling VCP at an annual subscription of US$799 per developer seat. A bundle of VCP with Exadel’s Studio Pro tool costs $899 per license. Users looking to upgrade to VCP from Studio Pro can do so for $599 per license, Katz said.