GemStone Systems was acquired by Brokat Infosystems last year. The company's application server offering, GemStone/J 4.1, is based on open Java, J2EE, XML and CORBA. GemStone/J is available in commerce automation, enterprise, component and Web editions. We were impressed with the product's performance and reliability. For example, GemStone/J offers configurable data and object caching, and uses JTS for transaction integrity.

The product is limited in security and integration. It enables HTTP and IIOP (Internet Inter-ORB Protocol) data-stream encryption through SSL to protect data but does not provide data encryption to protect data that resides on file systems or databases. The product supports JDBC for relational database connectivity but does not offer connectors for major line-of-business or ERP (enterprise resource planning) systems -- a capability that a number of other products (notably those from Borland, IBM and Sybase) offer.

GemStone/J enables remote management through a proprietary console and provides QoS features as well as system- and application-usage reports. Unlike the other products tested, GemStone does not include a development environment as part of its package.

GemStone/J 4.1, $75,000 per CPU. Brokat Infosystems, (503) 533-3000. www.gemstone.com

Lutris Technologies Enhydra Professional 3.0

Lutris' Enhydra is an open-source Java/XML application server. It can be downloaded for free or purchased on a CD with manuals and technical support. In addition, Lutris offers Internet strategy and development consulting in e-business, application architecture and development, creative GUI design and branding, and repeatable automated processes. Lutris also maintains enhydra.org, a site devoted to the Enhydra development community.

Online Special See what kind of changes are in store for the application-server market.

Indeed, Enhydra is the only open-source Java/XML-based application sever and development environment available. Among Enhydra's strengths are its excellent support for wireless functions and its localization features.

However, the product lacks features that enable a high level of reliability, such as persistent session state management and transaction control support. One of the few bright spots is its inclusion of load-balancing capabilities.

In addition, Lutris' Enhydra Professional provides only a simple solution for security and administration, which includes basic HTTP authentication. Companies that seek to standardize on a Java application server based on open-source will find that Enhydra is the best of their limited choices, but they should be aware of the product's weaknesses in reliability, security and back-end data integration.

Enhydra Professional 3.0, $499. Lutris Technologies, (831) 471-9753. www.lutris.com

Gautam Desai and Eric Sanchez are analysts with Doculabs (www.doculabs.com), an industry analyst and advisory firm that helps organizations plan for, select and appraise technologies for their business. Joe Fenner is vice president of quality. Send your comments on this article to them or contact Doculabs at info@doculabs.com or (312) 433-7793.