Neuron Data Inc, the Palo Alto-based graphical user interface builder, has launched the first stage of its new strategy to broaden its market from professional software developers towards corporate and commercial developers who prefer to use proprietary language-like development tools. While it won’t be abandoning its nuts and bolts developers, the company’s Elements Architecture aims to establish a set of four portable tool elements that include graphical interface builder, data access, rules and objects. The first two elements were announced last week: Version 2.0 of the existing Open Interface graphical user interface Builder and a new data access facility, C/S Elements, for high-level, transparent access to multiple flat file, object-oriented and relational database management systems and other data sources. Open Interface has been supplemented with a scripting language for higher-level programming, power widgets for drawing business graphics, colour icons and hypertext help, support for C++ and character mode capability. C/S Elements initially supports Oracle, Sybase and Microsoft Corp Open Data Base Connectivity-compliant databases, with Informix and DB/2 on the way.
Individual modules
The final two Element components, expected later in the year, will include an updated version of the company’s Nexpert Object expert system development tool, and a new object repository. All are individual modules and can be used stand alone. It runs on 35 systems, including OS/2, Macintosh System, AIX, Windows, Ultrix and Santa Cruz Operation Inc Unix – more than any of its competitors, the company claims. Neuron says it now derives only 40% of its revenues from its original tool, Nexpert Object, with Open Interface, launched in June 1991, taking the rest. The privately held company says it posted record fourth-quarter revenues of $6.3m at the end of its fiscal year on March 31. It won a giant IBM Corp contract in November 1992, and numbers American Management Systems Inc, Sterling Software Inc and Cray Research Inc among its customers.
