Paul Krill
Editor at Large

Soon-to-be-acquired Borland offers simulator for app dev

news
May 26, 20092 mins

Company won't comment on what the merger with Micro Focus might mean for TeamDefine

Borland Software, which is in the process of being acquired by Micro Focus, continues to release products bearing the company nameplate.

Borland is announcing on Tuesday Borland TeamDefine, a simulation tool for business analysts to translate software project concepts into working models via storyboards and interactive simulations. The company late last week, however, could not comment specifically on what the planned acquisition of Borland might have on the fate of TeamDefine.

[ Earlier this month, Micro Focus bought Borland for $75 million. ]

With TeamDefine, members of a development team can use simulations to understand features and functions before development begins. TeamDefine can render an interactive simulation showing a requirement in a manner unlike Microsoft Word documents, Borland said. The simulations assist with delivering applications by reducing rework and eliminating “scope creep,” which refers to uncontrolled changes in a project’s scope, Borland said.

The product offers a “major leap forward” in managing requirements, said David Wilby, senior vice president of products for Borland, in a statement released by the company.

“Numerous studies conducted over the years on software project waste and failures have traced the roots to requirements,” Wilby said.

Featured in TeamDefine is a browser-based simulation authoring environment. Collaboration capabilities are also offered. The product can work alone or with Borland CalibreRM requirements management tools.

Borland is set to be acquired by Micro Focus for $75 million. That purchase, announced May 6, is expected to close in late in this quarter or next quarter. Asked what effect the merger might have on TeamDefine, a Borland representative said the company could not discuss plans related to the acquisition except to say that the value of TeamDefine remains the same regardless of the deal.

The vendors cannot comment now because of rules pertaining to mergers involving public companies, the representative explained.

Available now, TeamDefine has an introductory price of $3,000 per user with an unlimited number of simulation reviewers, who are the stakeholders in a TeamDefine simulation.

Paul Krill

Paul Krill is editor at large at InfoWorld. Paul has been covering computer technology as a news and feature reporter for more than 35 years, including 30 years at InfoWorld. He has specialized in coverage of software development tools and technologies since the 1990s, and he continues to lead InfoWorld’s news coverage of software development platforms including Java and .NET and programming languages including JavaScript, TypeScript, PHP, Python, Ruby, Rust, and Go. Long trusted as a reporter who prioritizes accuracy, integrity, and the best interests of readers, Paul is sought out by technology companies and industry organizations who want to reach InfoWorld’s audience of software developers and other information technology professionals. Paul has won a “Best Technology News Coverage” award from IDG.

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