Aras®, leading Microsoft enterprise open source software solution provider, today announced the immediate availability of Version 9 of the Aras Innovator® suite of model-based service-oriented architecture [SOA] solutions for enterprise Product Lifecycle Management [PLM]. Version 9 delivers the first model-based SOA for PLM and includes single-instance multi-language capabilities and support for the latest Microsoft platform products; Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Microsoft Windows Server 2008, and Microsoft Visual Studio 2008. Additional information and enterprise solution download available at http://www.aras.com.

“Service-oriented architectures [SOA] represent a significant advancement in enterprise PLM because of the reduced complexity and improved flexibility,” said Marc Halpern, Research Director at Gartner. “Using an SOA, enterprises are able to complement and extend existing systems through Web services to incrementally automate complicated business processes much more quickly and easily than previously possible.”

“By delivering an advanced model-based SOA exclusively on the Microsoft platform in an enterprise open source format, Aras is unleashing the extensive power of SQL Server 2008 to provide global enterprises with a trusted, productive, and intelligent data platform,” said Kim Saunders, senior director for SQL Server Marketing at Microsoft Corp. “The innovation advantage that the Microsoft platform provides for partners is compelling, and we are committed to enabling Microsoft partners such as Aras as they create ever greater value for customers.”

Model-Based SOA – Advanced Solutions

The model-based environment in Aras Innovator Version 9 represents a significant innovation in enterprise SOA software for PLM. Highlights include:

Real-time Solution Customization – The Aras Innovator model-based SOA solutions enable complex object model, data schema, business rule, and workflow changes on-the-fly with no programming required and no downtime making solution customization fast and easy.

No Impact Upgrades – The model-based SOA separates the solutions and related solution modifications from the underlying SOA making even highly customized enterprise solutions easy to upgrade in days without impacting the customizations.

“Aras makes extremely powerful enterprise software solutions easy to implement and use,” said Peter Schroer, President of Aras Corporation. “The Microsoft open approach provides practical solution innovations that deliver results because they come directly from our corporate community members worldwide.”

Multilanguage Internationalization – Global Collaboration

Aras Innovator Version 9 includes single-system multi-language internationalization capabilities for greater global collaboration. Internationalization and localization are integral to the Version 9 model-based SOA and are stored as data in Microsoft SQL Server. This simplifies the development and sharing of language packs by eliminating external resource files and getting rid of the need to compile code before using translated solutions. Highlights include:

One Installation, Many Languages – An unlimited number of user languages are simultaneously supported by a single system running one application server. Version 9 supports the entire ISO/IEC 10646 Unicode character and script set representing over 500 written languages including double byte support for the Chinese, Japanese, and Korean ideographs.

• Multi-language support includes both the solution screens and all end user data
• For example, users in the USA see the Part Master in English, users in Germany see the data in German, and users in China see Chinese
• Sorting of user search results occurs in the native language [collating sequence]

Global Corporate Clock – A single system installation used simultaneously by people all over the world provides each user with local time zone display, yet the system records a user’s actions in one defined corporate time zone for synchronization of time & date sensitive activities.

• Coordinates global date and time complexity for collaborative processes such as electronic workflow signatures, program scheduling deadlines, and product release effectivity

Language localization packages are openly developed by Aras corporate community members worldwide. Mandarin Chinese and Simplified Chinese are available now, and other language translations are under way for Russian, Portuguese, Spanish, German, and French. Aras is currently recruiting volunteers for translation activates.

Microsoft Platform – Enterprise Scalability

Aras Innovator Version 9 includes support for the new Microsoft products to deliver superior enterprise scalability, manageability, and security.

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 – Provides a scalable, high performance database engine for the Aras mission-critical applications that require the highest levels of availability and security. SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services delivers business intelligence in Version 9 for actionable analysis.

Microsoft Windows Server 2008 – Version 9 is Certified for Windows Server 2008 demonstrating conformance to Microsoft’s most stringent platform requirements and providing the highest level of corporate confidence available.

Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 – Enterprises utilize Visual Studio 2008 with the Aras Innovator Version 9 Web services for Office Business Applications [OBAs] using the Microsoft 2007 Office system and Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007.

Open Options – Deliver Results

Aras Innovator Version 9’s enterprise open source format on the Microsoft platform makes the production-ready solutions freely available with complete access for unlimited users. Companies can use as little or as much of the extensive functionality as needed for no charge.

Aras Innovator Version 9 provides comprehensive solution functionality for enterprise-wide PLM deployments, and open XML / SOAP Web services easily connect to existing ERP or PDM systems to leverage previous investments.

Aras customers include Motorola, Lockheed Martin, Delphi, Ingersoll Rand, Rolls-Royce, ACCO Brands, Freudenberg, Fox Electronics, Mega Brands, Structural Concepts, and the US Army.

Aras Innovator Version 9 is available immediately, and enterprise-class support subscription packages, training, and professional services are available from Aras and Aras partners; for details visit http://www.aras.com.

About Aras

Aras® is the leader in providing Microsoft enterprise open source solutions. Aras delivers the most advanced model-based service-oriented architecture [SOA] solutions for enterprise Product Lifecycle Management [PLM] on the Microsoft platform. Customers include Motorola, Rolls-Royce, Freudenberg, Lockheed Martin, Ingersoll Rand and ACCO Brands. Aras is privately held with global headquartered in Andover, Mass. For additional information visit www.aras.com.

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