Echo 1.0 Press Release

NextApp ships Echo 1.0, Sierra 1.0

Irvine, CA -- June 9, 2003 -- NextApp, Inc. (www.nextapp.com) today announced the availability of its Echo Web Application Framework, Version 1.0, and Sierra Toolkit, Version 1.0, for download.

"Echo enables the creation of Web-based interfaces that rival the capabilities of 'rich-client' and desktop applications," said Tod Liebeck, Chief Software Architect of NextApp. "These technologies enable the development of applications which were not previously possible in a Web environment."

Echo provides a framework for building Web-based solutions that work and act like desktop applications, from both the developer's and end-user's point-of-view. "The technology removes the developer from having to think in terms of 'page-centric' applications," said JP Fielding of Threewide Corporation, a leading developer of Internet-based real estate productivity software. "Echo provides us with a solid and extensible framework for Web development that frees us to focus on complex customer needs."

Echo takes on all the responsibilities of rendering HTML and JavaScript for client Web browsers, and takes great steps towards making applications appear fluid and desktop-like. Developers are only required to have knowledge of Java to create Echo applications, which can then be deployed to any Java Servlet container or J2EE application server.

"Of the myriad Web frameworks I've worked with, Echo stands alone in terms of simplicity, code reuse, and raw power," added Fielding. "Echo's introduction into our Web application development process has redefined our timelines by providing true reusability in developing stable and intuitive applications. We no longer reinvent, we just refactor and reuse."

NextApp has harnessed the power of open-source development to bring this technology to market with extensive testing by a large and diverse user base. Developers can download Echo and build applications without charge. So far, the open-source model has been a success: Echo has been downloaded more than 20,000 times, and its development has been heavily influenced by the community offering up fixes, improvements, and ideas. "The Echo open-source project has already spawned several other projects," noted Liebeck. "The most prominent of these is EchoPoint, a community-developed library of components. It adds features such as menus, trees, and charting capabilities to the framework."

NextApp is also providing commercial tools and support for the Echo platform. "Our first product, the 'Sierra Toolkit', offers an array of 'Intranet-ready' components. They make short work of creating applications by providing tools like recordset browsers, pre-made dialog boxes, and a common user-interface 'look&feel' for backoffice applications." said Liebeck.

But perhaps the most impressive feature of this product is its sample application: Sierra provides a first-class suite of Intranet application modules, complete with source code, a thorough tutorial, and reference documentation. With this application, states Liebeck, "developers have a head start in building Echo-based solutions. The Sierra demonstrator app offers up the best practices for creating user interfaces on the Echo platform. It demonstrates the creation of a fully internationalized, modular, and highly maintainable solution, allowing developers to create robust and stable applications on-time and on-budget."

About NextApp

NextApp is dedicated to building software tools to enable the development of high-quality, reliable, and intuitive, Internet-based applications that connect and automate business processes. For more information, visit http://www.nextapp.com.