MIDDLEWARE ORB Middleware: Orbix 2.0.1 (MT) A s the Distributed Computing Environment (DCE) continues to stumble, Object Request Brokers (ORBs) are poised to carry the torch for distributed computing. With Orbix 2.0.1 (MT), IONA Technologies becomes the proud bearer of that torch, heralding the day when ORBs are as ubiquitous and standard as the desktop operating system itself. Where many ORBs are still trying to get their balance, Orbix is in its second revision (and has been for over a year and a half), giving it the advantage when it comes to Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) version 2.0 compliance and stability. In our labs, Orbix demonstrated the ability to interoperate well with itself, using its native protocol, and with other vendor's ORBs, via the Internet Inte r-Orb Protocol (IIOP). Using customized object locators, Orbix can extend the fault-tolerant capabilities of distributed ORBs. Furthermore, wide cross-platform support lets legacy applications running on platforms, including MVS, Unix and real-time systems, be easily encapsulated and integr ated with ActiveX-based desktop clients. With these robust capabilities, Orbix is a platform that is ready to go the distance and be a Well-Connected winner. We'd like to see more standard CORBA services from Orbix, but that deficiency is apparent in all ORB products. If you need to choose an ORB today, and you want to get a jump on tomorrow's distributed applications, Orbix is the one. Orbix 2.0.1 (MT) , $2,500 to $6,500, IONA Technologies, (800) ORBIX4U, www.iona.com Honorable Mentions: PowerBroker CORBAplus for C++ , $2,995 to $5,990, Expersoft Corp., (800) 366-3054, www.expersoft.com ObjectBroker v2.7 , $149 to $5,000, BEA Systems, (800) 817-4BEA, www.beasys.com Awards Table of Contents

Updated April 24, 1997