Chicago, Comdex — Century Software unveiled HostML and ViewML, a set of XML-based host access and rendering technologies for embedded systems and devices. HostML is an Application Server that performs capture and translation of large and complex Unix and IBM application data to the XML format. The data is then re-rendered, using ViewML, for display on embedded systems and other devices in a manner consistent with the target system's capabilities. In addition to supporting Linux based systems, HostML and ViewML also supports transfer and rendering on target platforms running Windows CE, Palm, Java, and ActiveX. Century Software claims it is the first company to offer host application data re-rendering across so many dissimilar hardware and software platforms using a common interface.

“HostML and ViewML provide two key components for delivering mission critical information to palmtop, handheld and embedded systems,” said Greg Haerr, CEO of Century Software. “Using XML and ViewML allows combining of data from a variety of sources for display on network appliances. This opens up a whole new world of possibilities for embedded and handheld systems.”

HostML uses Century's well proven terminal emulation technology, in use since 1985, for capturing host data on Unix and IBM mainframes. Once captured and translated to XML, the host data can be stored in documents or re-rendered on smaller form-factor devices using the ViewML technology. ViewML allows various XML DTD (document type description) definitions to be associated with user interface objects, permitting content-driven rendering customized for smaller devices. ViewML is based on an open source project known as Microwindows, which provides a small graphical windowing system for embedded Linux and other platforms.

“These products are a natural progression of our commitment to provide our customers with comprehensive host access. This means delivering products that display host data on palmtop, handheld and similar embedded Linux devices,” stated Cameron V Francis, Director of Product Marketing at Century Software. “We believe that these devices will continue to grow in prominence as effective business tools.”

About Century Software

Century Software is a leading provider of host access solutions in the emerging embedded Linux marketplace, as well as an established supplier of connectivity solutions for Windows to UNIX and IBM integration. The company's TERM and TinyTERM product suite provides high-end terminal emulation, file transfer, and script engine capabilities for customized host access integration. Based in Salt Lake City, Century Software was founded in 1985 and is privately held. Century Software solutions are sold through two-tier distribution in the United States and signed distributors in more than 40 countries worldwide. Century Software's CEO, Greg Haerr, is the founder and chief maintainer of the Microwindows Project, at www.microwindows.org.

Related stories:
Linux + Microwindows: challenger to WinCE (article)
The Microwindows and NanoGUI Projects (link)

 
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