Object Consulting's Enterprise Java Practice is an investment in knowledge. As a specification, Java Enterprise Edition (Java EE) provides a rich suite of technologies for building enterprise systems. Applying these technologies to design, build, test and deliver, requires in-depth knowledge and experience.

Building complex enterprise systems is difficult. The Java EE specification removes much of the need to develop infrastructure to support n-tier applications, but neither it nor any other specification can define how to build quality applications that meet customer requirements. The key to doing this is applying technologies in proven, industry-tested ways.

Object is able to apply Java EE technologies to business needs through its experience and skills in a number of key areas:

Architecture: How and when technologies should be applied

Object has been designing and building component-based distributed systems since its inception in 1989. We consider ourselves thought leaders in the area of distributed enterprise applications - not just because of our experience - but because our fundamental object-oriented approach of building layered, loosely-coupled, component-based architectures lends itself so well to the common issues in this area. Object is therefore well positioned to make use of the standards-based architectural approach that the Java EE specification supports.

Experience and skills: How to understand what will and will not work

Object was the first to deploy enterprise scale Java applications in Australia. Since then we have delivered systems to blue-chip Australian companies using pre Java EE middleware solutions including CORBA (Object has been a member of the OMG). We have also developed to the Java EE specification since its earliest version; we understand its strengths and weaknesses by implementing such early technologies as EJB 1.0 through to our reference implementation built on Java EE 5.

Process: How the application of the architecture is managed and controlled

Object's world-class software engineering methodology, Process Mentor, is a mature, UML compliant process for designing, building, buying and implementing both simple and complex software using component-based techniques. Coupled with our commercial experience with Agile methodologies, Object is able to apply industry-strength process to software development to ensure software quality.

Continuous improvement: How to remain at the forefront of Java EE technologies

Object has a specialist Practice dedicated to developing and enhancing Enterprise Java skills.  The objective of the Enterprise Java Practice is to expand and disseminate skills and knowledge in Java and related technologies to give software engineers the skills and knowledge they need to produce quality enterprise systems. It ensures that Object is able to make informed and experienced architectural decisions based on the best technologies available.

Object continues to extend the ‘leading edge’ by active participation in the Java community. We are on the committee of Enterprise Java Victoria, participate in the Java Community Process, support university industry projects, contribute to open source projects, conduct intensive training in the industry and organise the annual Australian Architecture Forum.

The Enterprise Java Practice is implicitly involved with Object's other Practices. In particular, the Enterprise Java, .NET, Security, Agile and Business Analysis Practices all share a number of objectives and outputs that result in Object’s IT Professionals being proficient in best practice across a range of software disciplines.

Industry Experience

Object has been building complex distributed business applications since 1989, and was an early adopter of Java and Java EE technologies. We use this expertise to design and build Enterprise Java applications for Australia's blue-chip corporations in the telecommunications, government, finance and banking sectors. Web applications represent a large proportion of Object's Enterprise Java experience. However Enterprise Java addresses a wide range of problem domains.

Technology Expertise

With different customer platforms and requirements, Object has experience in a wide range of Enterprise Java vendor products and is committed to being vendor-neutral. Object has built and delivered commercial systems using:

• Websphere
• Weblogic
• JBoss
• Sun ONE Application Server
• Sun ONE Portal Server
• Oracle Application Server
• Borland Application Server
• Tomcat

Mastering a diverse product set requires skills and experience in a range of complementary products and technologies, such as vendor-specific IDE's and proprietary interfaces. One way to alleviate such difficulties is to employ best-of breed open source software over proprietary solutions.

Reference Implementation

Object has developed a reference implementation to provide a centralised and focused avenue for practicing software engineering best practices. This involves the architecture, design and implementation of a web-based software system based on current and emerging technologies, standards and specifications. The system provides the opportunity for a wide range of Object’s IT Professionals to develop their skill sets in areas they may otherwise not have exposure to. Areas such as user interfaces, process distribution, database design, selection of technologies and evaluation of product sets are all be addressed. Staff are encouraged to participate in a range of activities that will enhance their skills and knowledge.

The system design employs new and emerging Java and Java EE technologies. Staff have the opportunity to research and experiment with technologies they may not be exposed to in current projects. The project encourages a collaborative approach to software development and provides a means for cross-capability integration. The reference implementation provides hands-on experience in developing a real-world application based on best practice design patterns, current standards and specifications and leading edge technologies.

• Download Object Consulting's Enterprise Java Practice brochure (pdf)

For further information on Object's Enterprise Java services please contact us.