WebScope

Java 3D API Customer Success Stories

WebScope

"The Java 3D API is 3D for the Web. It's the ideal environment for a new generation of Internet applications targeted at the enterprise."

Kevin Weiler
vice president of engineering
WebScope, Inc.

API is Key Developer Tool for 3D Enterprise Information Portals

WebScope, Inc. provides Internet application server software that adds a new dimension to enterprise portals. WebScope uses Java3D API to enable inter-enterprise communication of 3D information among manufacturing companies, their business partners and their customers.

Companies in all industries are deploying Web-based "information portals" to securely communicate with their business partners and customers. "Global manufacturing companies need solutions that can scale, and only Java technology and the Java3D API provided the foundation that we needed," said Kevin Weiler, vice president of engineering at WebScope, Inc. "Java technology and the Java3D API enable solutions that use the Internet to provide universal accessibility with security and performance. It's the ideal environment for a new generation of Internet applications targeted at the enterprise."

WebScope found that both large and small customers have endorsed Java technology - especially with regard to the security and the "Write Once, Run Anywhere" capability that can dramatically reduce support costs. "We've found that corporations simply do not want to keep adding to the number and complexity of the applications running on the client machines in their network. The Java platform facilitates the rapid deployment of powerful new applications without the support overhead associated with conventional client/server systems," said Weiler.

WebScope Works with Sun to Maximize Java 3D API User Benefits

In researching 3D application development tools, WebScope found that Java 3D technology was more elegant and effective than the alternatives. "The Java 3D API is 3D for the Web. The ubiquity and scalability of Java technology meant that it was the natural choice for creating our application," said Weiler. "With the Java3D API, we provide our customers with a 3D application based on the same technology that they are already using in other high-volume, secure Internet applications."

Specifically, the engineers at WebScope took advantage of several key features that are inherent in the Java 3D API:

• The scene graph - The Java 3D API's scene-graph model allowed WebScope developers to focus on objects and scene composition, enabling the programmer to focus on application and content instead of low-level rendering details.
• Geometry compression - The Java 3D API incorporates geometry compression as part of its specification, which allows very large 3D objects to be rapidly downloaded over the network for remote viewing and manipulation. For distributed 3D applications, this is crucial and allows even dial-up modem connections to be used effectively.
• The "Write Once, Run Anywhere" model - Sun's platform-independent model has decreased the complexity and cost normally associated with producing software on and for multiple distinct hardware platforms. For WebScope this was a key advantage of Java, as its customers use a variety of hardware platforms.

Java 3D Technology Expands Audience; Opens Up New Worlds

WebScope began its development process by testing an early version of the Java3D API and have worked closely with Sun's engineers and architects throughout the development process. As a result, WebScope's engineers were able to produce a functional prototype in a few short months and a commercial product in just over a year.

"Using the Java3D API saved us considerable development time, and Sun's commitment gave us the confidence that the Java3D API would receive broad support from both the industry and major customers" said Weiler. "Sun has been very responsive in delivering the functionality and stability required for enterprise-class applications. They are an excellent partner for us as they continue to demonstrate leadership in continuing to expand the universe of Java technology."

WebScope, Inc.
3977 E. Bayshore Road, Suite 200
Palo Alto, California 94303
(650) 965-2500
http://www.webscope3d.com