Accenture and Interface21 Unveil Open-Source Framework for Developing Java-Based Enterprise Batch Applications
SAN FRANCISCO; May 8, 2007 -- Accenture (NYSE: ACN) and Interface21, a provider of open-source software for enterprise applications, today unveiled Spring Batch, an open-source framework for developing enterprise batch applications.
Unveiled at the JavaOne Conference in San Francisco, Spring Batch builds upon and extends the Spring Framework, a popular programming model for enterprise Java, to enable bulk processing of business transactions and data.
Batch processing refers to the processing of large groups of transactions at one time — typically at the end of the day or overnight, when computer resources are less busy — rather than processing transactions individually in real-time. Batch processing, which typically does not require manual intervention, is commonly used by large enterprises in areas such as financial accruals, payment generation and correspondence.
The announcement highlights Accenture’s involvement in open-source software communities to promote standardization of software processing approaches, frameworks and tools for enterprise users. Large enterprises can benefit from open source because it provides cost-efficient, high-quality software to its global community of subscribers along with a proven set of practices that help to increase the quality and consistency of software solutions and the efficiency by which they are delivered.
Accenture will provide code, as well as ongoing support as part of the development community, to ensure the success of Spring Batch.
“Accenture and Interface21 are collaborating on this project because we’ve recognized a notable lack of focus on re-usable architecture frameworks to accommodate Java-based batch processing needs,” said Paul Daugherty, Accenture’s chief architect. “The lack of standard, reusable batch architectures has resulted in the proliferation of many one-off, in-house solutions developed across our clients’ IT functions. Companies and government agencies desiring to deliver standard, proven solutions to their enterprise IT environments will benefit from Spring Batch.”
Among other things, Spring Batch:
- enables high-volume, bulk processing of business transactions and data without the intervention of end-users;
- structures Java-based business logic to improve the efficiency of software development and application processing, including support for important processing concepts such as job restart and parallel processing essential for high-volume transactional throughput environments;
- allows developers to focus on business logic, instead of the technical approach and details required for processing large volumes of information;
- reduces risks associated with performance and scalability of batch processing application software through consistent use of a common batch architecture framework;
- incorporates different interaction styles, ranging from scheduled-based program executions to message-based processing; and
- minimizes the amount of local framework development and support through software that is licensed under the Apache 2.0 open-source software style license.
“We have adopted the Spring Framework as part of our standard delivery architectures, making Interface21 a logical choice to work with in the development of Spring Batch,” said Accenture’s Daugherty. “By working with Interface21 and the open-source community, we are continuing to incorporate their experience, insight and ideas. We look forward to using this knowledge to enhance Spring Batch and to continue to expand the Spring portfolio. As a result, we expect our clients to benefit from higher-quality software, faster market adoption, and greater levels of innovation and support.”
Rod Johnson, founder of the Spring Framework and CEO of Interface21, said: “We are very pleased to again be working with Accenture, which brings significant hands-on industry and technical experience in implementing batch architectures to ensure the creation of high-quality, market-relevant software. Bringing together the deep technical experience of Interface21 and Spring’s proven programming model with the extensive systems integration delivery experiences of Accenture marks a powerful partnership to fill an important gap in enterprise Java.”
Availability
The Spring Batch open source project is available at http://www.springframework.org/spring-batch.
About Accenture
Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. Committed to delivering innovation, Accenture collaborates with its clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. With deep industry and business process expertise, broad global resources and a proven track record, Accenture can mobilize the right people, skills and technologies to help clients improve their performance. With more than 152,000 people in 49 countries, the company generated net revenues of US$16.65 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2006. Its home page is www.accenture.com.
About Interface21
Interface21 is a leading provider of trusted open source software for mission-critical enterprise applications. Interface21 created and sustains the development of the Spring Framework, the leading Java™ and Java EE™ application framework. Through the Spring family of products, Interface21 has helped hundreds of organizations, including some of the world’s largest financial institutions and public sector clients, build and deploy mission-critical applications that boost developer productivity and increase enterprise ROI. For more information, please visit http://www.interface21.com.
Ed Trapasso
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