Oracle Corp. announced today that Japan's top three technology companies will each demonstrate software cartridges developed to support and extend Oracle's Network Computing Architecture. At Oracle's user conference here this week, Fujitsu, Hitachi, and NEC will for the first time demonstrate cartridge applications that can be deployed on multiple platforms and interoperate seamlessly with cartridges from customers and third-party developers. The new cartridges demonstrate the strong commitment by Japan's most influential industry leaders to network computing.

Fujitsu will be demonstrating two network-computing technologies at the show. The first is ObjectDirector, an application that allows prospective home buyers to select housing based on variables such as geography, price, floor plan and other specifics, then view what is available according to their choices and place a bid. The second cartridge uses Fujitsu's own Power COBOL 85, a proven client/server development tool that can now be used to generate other cartridges, which plug into the Network Computing Architecture protocol.

"Fujitsu regards the Object Transaction Middleware as one of the key technologies in realizing network computing and is making significant effort in developing it. In this area, we think the interoperability with Network Computing Architecture is important," said Mitsuru Sanagi, General Manager, IT Strategy & Planning Division of Fujitsu Limited. "The interoperability of both company's CORBA based Object Request Brokers and Fujitsu's COBOL cartridge support which leverages existing investments would provide attractive solutions for customers in a multivendor environment."

Hitachi will be demonstrating their new consumer-related cartridge technology, Credit Card On-line, which allows credit card holders to obtain up-to-date information about their account via the Internet. The underlying framework of Credit Card On-line is TPBroker, a product developed by Hitachi that retains data integrity necessary to maintain the accuracy and security vital to these types of transactions.

"Modern distributed transaction processing is best achieved using an object- oriented model, especially over the Internet or intranets," said Hideyuki Takada, vice president, Advanced Software Center at Hitachi Computer Products (America). "Network Computing Architecture lets us leverage this object advantage through cartridge technology, and then to pass that advantage on to our customers."

NEC, a large global supplier of PABX, will be demonstrating a corporate-related help desk application cartridge prototype. The application, which integrates an NEC PBX with networked NEC computers, allows the PABX to initiate a series of synchronized processes such as call routing, voice control, database access and data transmission when receiving incoming calls. The application will route an incoming call to the appropriate resource capable of handling that specific customer's requirements while simultaneous ly displaying the customer information retrieved from the Oracle database on the resource's desktop.

"NEC is excited about working with Oracle to provide enabling technologies for network computing," said Mr. Keiji Matsushita, General Manager of Business Communications Division at NEC Corporation. "Since NEC's CTI product is already available for the global market, our computer and communications technologies can now leverage Network Computing Architecture to deliver the next generation of computer telephony applications which are scalable, extensible, reliable and still cost effective for our customers."

"Network Computing Architecture provides a cross-platform, open environment for developing and deploying network-centric applications," said Sherman Ting, vice president, Asia Products Division of Oracle. "The participation of major vendors such as Fujitsu, Hitachi and NEC shows the global attractiveness of Network Computing Architecture as an open standard and its rapidly accelerating momentum as a leading platform for network-base d applications."

Oracle Corporation is the world's leading supplier of software for information management, and the world's second largest software company. With annual revenues exceeding $5.2 billion, the company offers its database, tools and application products, along with related consulting, education and support services, in more than 90 countries around the world.