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Wakanda logoThe first public version of Wakanda, an open source platform to develop web applications using just JavaScript, can now be downloaded by software developers from http://wakanda.org/download.

Wakanda is designed to appeal to software developers who build web applications, typically for business. The product’s emphasis is on the rapid development of web applications that have a rich interface and are easy to maintain. The benefit for developers is reducing the time and lowering the cost of developing and supporting web applications by using just JavaScript.

JavaScript is an object-oriented scripting and programming language that is quick and easy to learn. Widely used in the browser by many developers, JavaScript provides a single language in the full Wakanda stack, from server to browser, making it easy to both develop and maintain an application.

As well as building web applications, the Wakanda platform lets developers create HTML pages for desktop, mobile or tablet PCs, with widgets that are adapted for the "touchscreen" environment.

Wakanda is comprised of three components: Wakanda Server provides a super-rapid datastore, an HTTP server and a home for a Wakanda application's business logic; Wakanda Studio allows you to design datastore classes, create business logic and draw up a graphical user interface (GUI) - all visually; Wakanda Framework provides the widgets and the transactional layer to enable Wakanda applications to work across many browsers and mobile devices.

Wakanda is an initiative of global software company 4D, which for the past two years has backed a separate, young development team to build this innovative application development platform.

4D Australasia Managing Director Damon Carley said the Developer Preview version of Wakanda was still not in its final form. “It’s taking baby steps, so we ask developers to be gentle and not throw it into the workforce right away,” he advised.

Impress Media passes a major milestone today – May 27 marks the 20th anniversary of John Harris registering South Australia’s first PR agency to specialise in IT. Back in May 1991, John had the idea that there might be a crust in setting up a public relations agency that focussed in communicating the benefits delivered by technology.

He stuck his toe in the water by writing a first press release for QikDraw Systems, an Adelaide-based CAD software firm run by the amiable Peter Chan. After that, he did a survey gauging the industry interest in an IT PR service: Of the 100 local computer companies surveyed, an amazing one third actually replied.

In the subsequent two decades, Impress Media has seen the public relations industry transform from a typewriter and fax-powered industry to the cornucopia of communication that exists today. In that time, Impress Media has provided services for clients ranging from global companies including CA, Sun, Microsoft and IBM to Australian successes such as Internode, PCRange, EBS and Virtual Ark. John Harris also wrote the computer section for The Advertiser for six years and remains a technology commentator for ABC Radio.

John Hellabycheckmyhouseprice, a new service that provides homeowners with a free professional valuation of their house value, is now available to real estate agents – also for free!

This breakthrough service gives the homeowner the most up-to-date market information on what their property is worth and what properties around them have sold for as well as providing trends, statistics and growth information for their suburb as a whole.

checkmyhouseprice is designed to appeal to real estate agents who are seeking to generate more leads, increase their property listings and, thus, increase their sales. Once a real estate agent signs up for an area, they become the only agent for that suburb with access to the service’s website at www.checkmyhouseprice.com.au

The checkmyhouseprice service has been developed by Queensland real estate agent John Hellaby who came up with the concept to attract more property listings to his real estate agency in the south of Brisbane. “Similar services are available, but they are very expensive to use,” he said.

 

 

EBS and NAV deliver early Christmas present to Circadian

Company

Circadian Technologies Limited

Industry

Biotechnology

Solution

Microsoft Dynamics NAV

Executive summary

When listed biotech company Circadian Technologies Limited recognised that preparing its half-yearly financial reports for the Australian Stock Exchange was becoming a financial and administrative burden, the company decided to replace MYOB with Microsoft Dynamics NAV, deployed by national ERP software specialist Evolution Business Systems (EBS). Since installing NAV, Circadian has reduced reporting times, lowered administrative overheads, eliminated errors and provided finance staff with their first ever chance to take annual leave during Christmas. Benefits delivered by Microsoft Dynamics NAV and EBS include:

  •    Cutting two days from the time required to prepare half-year financial reports
  •    Consolidating five separate databases into one integrated system
  •    Greater accuracy through the elimination of manual processes and external spreadsheets
  •    Managing project budgeting and expenditure more effectively than other solutions
  •    Availability of consolidated reporting at the click of a few buttons
 
“EBS put a lot of time into the upfront understanding of what we wanted.”

 Susan Madden

Circadian Technologies Finance Manager and Company Secretary