Simplified development is goal Accenture within a couple of weeks plans to formally announce Accenture Platform Accelerator for BEA, a program that aims to simplify development on the BEA Systems WebLogic applications platform by providing software, design patterns, and a methodology, according to an Accenture officialIncluded in the mix are a work plan, tracking sheets, resource plans, and estimating models, for estimating variables such as how many people are needed on a software project, said Kevin Pollari, a partner at Accenture, in Irving, Texas.Accelerator also covers functions such as security, application configuration management, data services, foundation services, and presentation services for graphically displaying data. The value proposition is lower cost of ownership, improved quality, and speed to market, according to Pollari. “We provide a set of frameworks to fit around the edges of [BEA’s] software,” such as a Java batch framework, Pollari said. “[Platform Accelerator is] bridging the gap between software architecture and methodology to provide an end-to-end solution across development run-time and system management,” he added.Additionally, third-party development tools from companies such as Borland and Rational can be integrated into Platform Accelerator, he said.Although not officially announced yet, Accenture Platform Accelerator for BEA is available now and is free to current Accenture clients. Software Development