Battle Continues Between Java and .Net in 2003

The Need for Productivity and Collaboration Will Compel Organizations to Standardize Development Environments.

STAMFORD, Conn. (February 25, 2003) - META Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: METG) today announced the availability of its newest METAspectrumSM evaluation for the Java integrated development environment (Java IDE) market. Java IDEs are developer tools designed to enable the editing, compiling, testing, and development of Java language-based applications. Within this subset of the broader IDE market, vendors must provide the ability to edit source code and debug executables.

"As the Java application server vendors continue to compete against each other and versus Microsoft's .Net platform, they will increasingly find it critical to provide solid development environments," says Thomas Murphy, program director with META Group's Application Delivery Strategies service. "Efforts to gain market position will therefore be dominated by battles to control the application platform."

Key Findings and Guidance

The Java IDEs METAspectrum evaluates 10 companies. Borland, IBM, and Oracle are the clear leaders, while Sun, Jet Brains, and Novell-Silver Stream are distant challengers, and ObjectVenture, Compuware, Computer Associates, and Pramati are distant followers. The analysis found:

Independent vendors will either fill specific niches (focusing on ease of use, technical computing, or specific processes) or establish market leadership by enabling server and platform choice. Outside of the major players, the market will consist mainly of small vendors with a specific technical focus. Also expected are new tools aimed at providing architected rapid application development (RAD) solutions utilizing approaches such as Model Driven Architecture. This will include companies currently in the followers area that are early to market.

During 2003-05, professional services experience will play a critical role as most organizations move to a new phase of applications, requiring the ability to replace aging client/server projects. This will necessitate training, frameworks, consulting, and outsourcing partnerships.

During 2003/04, all major IDEs will evolve to become integrated life-cycle development environments (ILDEs), incorporating collaborative development during 2004-06. Current offerings focus on editing, compiling, and debugging as well as screen painting.

Most organizations will either use the tools provided with a platform or specifically choose tools that provide portable support across platforms, though still requiring high productivity and integration to the platforms.

About METAspectrumSM

METAspectrum evaluations from META Group provide IT professionals with a view into critical market success factors and vendor positioning. METAspectrum delivers comprehensive evaluations of both technology markets and vendor product offerings. METAspectrum evaluations are a standard component of a META Group retainer service subscription and are updated periodically, depending on the characteristics of individual markets. To learn more about the METAspectrum methodology, visit www.metagroup.com/metaspectrum or call (800) 945-META.

About META Group

META Group is a leading research and consulting firm, focusing on information technology and business transformation strategies. Delivering objective, consistent, and actionable guidance, META Group enables organizations to innovate more rapidly and effectively. Our unique collaborative models help clients succeed by building speed, agility, and value into their IT and business systems and processes. Connect with www.metagroup.com for more details.