Companies can now offer their employees immediate "self-service" access to information stored in a DBMS without adding any complexity to the MIS side. Paramount Software International, Inc. (PSI) announced today its Corporate Village(R) suite of Web-based, thin-client applications that enable access to any database via any Web browser.

"PSI is the first software developer to deliver Web-based open systems software programs that allow employee-controlled interactive data administration, or Employee Self Service (ESS) functionality," said Dr. Charles Lu, president and founder of PSI, Inc. "ESS functionality will be critical to corporations because it provides an extremely efficient way for MIS departments to respond to growth without burdening themselves with more work or the user with more complexity."

Unlike other "thin client" Web applications, Corporate Village applications run independent of web servers and web browsers, do not require a "fat client" on each PC to use the groupware and has applications available today.

First 'Corporate Village' Applications Promote Employee Self Service

The Corporate Village suite will consist of seven applications, the first three of which are CV-Corporate Village, CV-Benefits Maker and CV-Job Center.

CV-Corporate Directory(TM) is an ESS program that allows corporate clients instant access to employees' names, with hot links to their pager number, remote dial out, fast connect to an e-mail or group e-mail broadcast. It can also handle voice and video mail, all using universal client Web technology enabling a streamlined network.

CV-Benefits Maker(TM) and CV-Job Center(TM) are ESS programs that work with a company's legacy database or use its own database to create powerful human resource tools that are easy to use and can increase the efficiency of the recruitment process and employee benefits programs. CV-Benefits Maker is an ESS program focused on employee benefits, offering updates with real-time access by employees and management. CV-Job Center allows Intranet or Internet access to job applicants. Employees and outside job applicants may view postings and apply on-line. Both hiring managers and human resources managers can have real time update and report generating capabilities.

PSI's VIDEA(TM) Enables Platform-Independent Applications

PSI's Corporate Village applications are the first to deliver a multi-tiered Web-based "thin" client application that is truly universal. PSI's Viper Internet Development Environment Application(TM) (VIDEA[TM]) is an advanced tool set which, in conjunction with tools like JAVA, JavaScript, CGI and MSAPI, allows its Corporate Village suite of products to connect seamlessly and simultaneously through Web browsers to multiple databases as well as multiple platforms. Corporate Village applications run on any hardware/software platform that supports current Internet development standards (i.e. HTML), any browser such as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer, the Java and JavaScript languages, virtually any database including DB2, Sybase, Oracle, Informix, Microsoft's SQL Server, as well as any database that supports Open Database Connectivity (ODBC).

Corporate Village Applications Promote Employee Self Service

By integrating Corporate Village applications into its enterprise, a company can realize dramatic, measurable increases in bottom line profitability. Corporate Village applications cost about half that of "fat" client/server packages while greatly increasing user efficiency and productivity.

PSI's Corporate Village applications provide functionality without performance degradation, yet offer the ability to place an application on a central server and reproduce it to users on an "as needed" basis with no need to track version control. Additionally, Corporate Village applications offer excellent scalability through the use of replication databases; large groups of users don't experience performance degradation, often the case with non-Internet/Intranet client/server applications.

Installation, Training and Bandwidth Requirements

Corporate Village applications take PSI engineers approximately one-to-three weeks to install remotely, if the Web server and database are already set up. There is no disruption of current enterprise processes or systems and minimal onsite reengineering and installation are required. The suite of programs are designed to be simple and easy to use, and because familiar web browsers can be used, training requirements are very minimal.

PSI suggests that Corporate Village applications run with 10Mbps Intranet or through a 28.8 modem line. Bandwidth requirements vary depending on how much data is returned from the database.

Pricing and Availability

CV-Corporate Directory, CV-Benefits Maker and CV-Job Center are all available immediately. Pricing is as follows: CV-Corporate Directory is $25,000 for up to 1,000 users. CV-Job Center and CV-Benefits Maker are each $32,500 for up to 1,000 users. Products are available directly from PSI by calling 1-800-649-4946 ext. 2. PSI has plans to introduce five more Corporate Village applications in 1997.

About PSI

Paramount Software International was founded in 1993 and has headquarters in Fremont, California. The company creates, develops and implements thin client programs which enhance the efficiency of the corporate work place. PSI is committed to fulfilling the vision of a Web-based Open Systems environment by setting the world standard in the development and introduction of universal thin client applications for data acquisition and distribution across the Intranet and Internet.

SOURCE Paramount Software International Inc.