PublishingXpert Frequently Asked Questions
Product Overview
What is PublishingXpert?
PublishingXpert 2.0 is a comprehensive Internet and
Extranet commerce solution designed to allow customers to
sell, manage, and deliver content and services to
customers and partners. Customers can use PublishingXpert
to leverage the real-time, low-cost benefits of the
Internet in creating online services that establish new
channels of revenue growth, leverage cross-marketing of
goods and services, and realize new avenues of
cost-savings. PublishingXpert was initially designed to
serve the consumer online publishing and media markets
but its use has expanded into business publishing,
extranets, and multi-hosting for managing, selling, and
delivering a broad range of content and services from
news articles and market research to technical
specifications and marketing material.
Who should buy PublishingXpert and what market
opportunity does it address?
Any business who has need to create a high volume,
scalable web site and wishes to manage and attract
subscribers to that site is a candidate for
PublishingXpert. The value of a web site increases to
both the provider and customer when a customer can
complete the transaction in one step. PublishingXpert has
the ability to individualize the user experience, deliver
the service and handle payment without intervention. This
reduces time and cost, increases revenue, and improves
customer satisfaction. Target markets include business to
consumer publishing, business to business publishing,
ISP/multi-hosting and Extranet environments such as field
marketing and support.
What are differentiating features of
PublishingXpert?
PublishingXpert has been completely re-architected. It is
a multi-tiered distributed, component architecture built
on open standards that offers a front-end server
implemented using an HTML template-driven interface and
server side JavaScript; and a multi-threaded transaction
server that is built on CORBA/IIOP and delivers the
scalability and high availability necessary to run the
largest commercial online sites. Both the transaction
server and front-end server provide a complete SDK for
integration with legacy systems. In addition to the new
architecture, the product contains a new content
management server, a multi-hosting option, a reporting
server and a CORBA-based agent server plus significant
new enhancements.
Specifically what is new in PublishingXpert
2.0?
Beyond the new architecture, the following enhancements
have been added:
· Personal page implements a home page concept for users
of the service
· Activity tracking allows content usage analysis by
site or by user
· Java based administration allows centralized control
of all administrative services. It allows for multiple
administration levels, access control to services and
context-sensitive help
· Digital certificates are now supported
· Java based system monitoring tools that allow
start-up, shutdown, and resource monitoring of any CORBA
server
· AgentXpert provides personalized search, HTML
formatting, email and advertising.
· Personalized search agent allows user to configure
search profiles for automatic update of changed content.
· Content management server provides integrated document
management and distributed staging of content.
· Reporting server provides an upgrade from MLE to
object reporting environment using Actuate.
· Multi-hosting allows template support for multiple
content providers, content provider remote administration
and striping of transactions by content provider.
How does PublishingXpert leverage Netscape ONE
technology?
PublishingXpert is a showcase for Netscape ONE
Technology. It is built on Enterprise Server 3.0 and
makes extensive use of CORBA/IIOP, Java, and server side
JavaScript. It provides the framework for NetCaster
support and includes integration tools to work with
Directory Server LDAP protocols.
Can it be integrated with any push
technologies?
Using AgentXpert (see below) with NetCaster, the site
administrator can create personalized content delivery
channels.
Is it designed for use by ISPs and Telco/PTTs?
The PublishingXpert 2.0 multi-hosting option was added to
specifically address the needs of the ISP and Telco/PTT
community that is looking to leverage their communication
infrastructure and core competencies. ISPs can host
multiple content providers with a single installation of
PublishingXpert. Each content provider service is
completely unique and completely separated from the other
hosted content providers. However each ISP maintains
central transaction services and system management
capabilities. This allows the content provider to
uniquely brand their services and allows both the ISP and
content provider to gain economies of scale.
Components, Pricing, and
Platforms
What components comprise PublishingXpert?
PublishingXpert is comprised of a Front-end server,
Transaction Server, Content Management Server option,
premium reporting option and multi-hosting option.
Netscape Enterprise Server is bundled with
PublishingXpert. Oracle Enterprise Server 7.3.3 is
required. A run-time license is bundled as an option. The
Front-end server allows for dynamic content delivery and
ease of customization and handles all the user services
including: information retrieval, registration,
authentication, personal page, template driven content
delivery, news feed and an SDK. The Transaction server
provides complete transaction management and session
management and handles all the back-end services
including: membership, access control, AgentXpert,
advanced text search, content categorization, reporting,
billing and payment services (optional), loading and
indexing, system monitoring tools and integrated Java
administration. The Content Management Server, a new
feature of PublishingXpert, provides the ability to stage
and/or distribute content. This includes the point and
click publication staging process, the version control,
check-in/out, document conversion filters, loading and
indexing, and a search interface. The premium reporting
option bundles the complete Actuate Reporting Server. The
multi-hosting option provides the ability to uniquely
host an unlimited number of content providers and for
remote content provider administration.
NOTE: The AgentXpert is a complete
CORBA-based agent framework. PublishingXpert is bundled
with four agents for personalized search, HTML
formatting, email, and advertising. The source code is
bundled in conjunction with an agent SDK to assist
customers in creating their own agents.
How will the product be packaged and priced?
The base product is packaged with the Front-end
server and Transaction server (without options) with a
starting price of $55,000. Optional features include
content management, premium reporting, multi-hosting and
billing and payment services. PublishingXpert follows a
per CPU pricing model.
Can a site be built that does not require
online payment?
Yes, billing and payment services are an optional part of
the product. If a customer requires additional billing
and credit card services a complete SDK and external
payment method is provided so customers can integrate
with own their back office systems.
What 3rd party products are integrated and
supported by PublishingXpert?
PublishingXpert’s extensive functionality is
enhanced through technology partnerships with Cybercash,
NetObjects, PLS, Verity and Actuate. Cybercash’s
technology enables secure payment transactions on the
Internet, NetObjects Fusion enhances
PublishingXpert’s web site-building capabilities,
Customers have the ability to select from either of two
robust commercial search engines, PLS or Verity.
Actuate’s Developer’s Workbench and the Report
Viewer are bundled with the transaction server. The full
Actuate reporting server is offered as an upgrade to
PublishingXpert . For payment services, we have an open
set of APIs allowing payment vendors to develop
compatible solutions.
What content development tools can be used?
Any content creation tool can be used as long as it can
produce HTML files. For example, Netscape Communicator
can be used. However, Actra chose to partner with
NetObjects as its product, Fusion has a graphical drag
and drop approach and a market leading position. Unlike
page-oriented, word processing-based tools, NetObjects
Fusion is a visual, site-oriented Web authoring product.
When is PublishingXpert shipping?
Publishing System version 1.6, the third release
of this family of products shipped in March 1996.
PublishingXpert, the next generation Publishing System
will be available at the end of September 1997.
What platforms does it run on?
PublishingXpert 2.0 will initially be released on Sun
Solaris with SGI IRIX and Microsoft NT releases being
available in Q497 and Q198 respectively. Other platforms
are under evaluation.
General Questions
What is the reason for changing
the name from Publishing System to PublishingXpert?
The PublishingXpert name reflects the underlying
architectural foundation shared across all the Actra
CommerceXpert products. PublishingXpert 2.0 is a
completely re-architected product rather than a product
upgrade. It is built upon a completely new component
architecture, has significant new product features and is
targeted at a much broader market place than Publishing
System 1.6. Actra’s strategy is to have the products
that make up its portfolio of Internet commerce
applications share a set of reusable objects.
PublishingXpert is an example of this strategy.
How does it fit in with
CommerceXpert family of products?
CommerceXpert by Actra is an integrated family of
Internet commerce applications for Fortune 1000
companies. PublishingXpert is an integral product within
this family that shares several common components such as
common membership, common payment, reporting and common
system monitoring tools. This is very important to
simplify administration for the customer. For example, if
a customer bought PublishingXpert and then decided to buy
SellerXpert, the customer would have common membership
between applications therefore sharing customer
information and limiting the need to learn new tools and
technologies.
What is the nature of the
Netscape and Actra relationship with respect to
PublishingXpert?
Actra assumed development responsibility for Netscape
Publishing System(tm) after the company was founded as a
50/50 joint venture between Netscape and GE Information
Services (GEIS). Netscape and its partners continue to
act as the distribution channel for PublishingXpert.
Who will sell PublishingXpert?
The distribution model for PublishingXpert is the same as
for Publishing System. The Netscape direct sales force
and key Netscape partners who are part of the Netscape
Solution Expert Program will sell both product and
services for PublishingXpert. Netscape’s Global
Systems Integrator partner like GEIS can also sell
PublishingXpert.
What are the value-add features
in PublishingXpert beyond Enterprise and Web Publisher?
PublishingXpert is a complete solution built on top of
Netscape Enterprise Server. It extends Enterprise Server
base features and includes all the additional components
that a customer requires to build a content-based
commerce application. One example of how PublishingXpert
extends Enterprise is in the advanced text search
capabilities. PublishingXpert has a complete CORBA based
search server that includes an unlimited number of
collections, choice of search engines, summarization and
query by example capabilities.
What about the
Internationalization of PublishingXpert?
The product is fully internationalized. Future releases
of PublishingXpert will include localization enhancements
in the areas of translation, payment services, taxation
and multiple currencies.
What is the future direction of
PublishingXpert?
PublishingXpert 2.0 has established the trend for the
next releases of PublishingXpert. Over the next few
releases customers can expect to see the creation of
vertical applications built on top of the PublishingXpert
architecture such as bill presentment. Deeper integration
with Netscape technologies such as Netscape Directory
Server and NetCaster will also be an ongoing
characteristic of future PublishingXpert releases. The
next release will focus on additional localization
enhancements to address unique commerce requirements of
AP, EMEA and Japan. There is also a planned NT release
which will ship within the next six months. Long term,
customers can expect to see integration with additional
CommerceXpert components such as order management server
(OMS) business rules, and integration with additional
payment providers.
Product Requirements
What software is required and
supported on the client side?
End users who access PublishingXpert’s services can
use any browser because PublishingXpert’s user
interface is based on HTML and Server Side Java Script.
Administration services on the server require a browser
that supports 100% pure Java such as Netscape
Communicator.
What software is required and
supported on the server side?
PublishingXpert requires Netscape Enterprise Server
(bundled with PublishingXpert) and Oracle Enterprise
Server. PublishingXpert can be purchased with or without
Oracle Enterprise Server.
What database platform is
supported?
PublishingXpert supports Oracle 7.3.3 database.
What payment types does it
support?
PublishingXpert supports the following payment types: 1.
Credit Card 2. External Payment method 3. SDK with
API’s for integration with other payment partners.
Upgrade Questions
What is the migration strategy
from Publishing System 1.6?
PublishingXpert 2.0 will come bundled with a product
migration guide and a set of migration services that will
include: · Migration Guide · Schema migration scripts
· Configuration file migration scripts · Data migration
scripts · Sample customization migration using
JavaScript · Site examples from beta program
Consulting and Training
What training and consulting
services will be provided?
Two classes are offered. The first is technical, five day
class directed at developers and consultants who will be
designing and implementing PublishingXpert. The second
class is a three day, administrative class designed for
those who will manage the customer web site. Pilot
classes are underway now. See Actra’s web site at
www.actracorp.com or Netscape’s web site at
www.netscape.com for class schedules and enrollment.
How much consulting work
typically needs to be done on a standard implementation?
The amount of consulting work that needs to be done
varies depending on the degree of customization needed at
any one site. However our experience indicates that a 1:1
ratio is typical and depending on the solution being
delivered this will vary low as 1:2 and as high as 2:1.
Can I purchase professional
consulting services?
Consulting Services are available through Netscape
Worldwide Professional Services (WWPS) or key Netscape
partners who are part of the Solution Expert Program
(formerly NCAPP). Services include pre-sales audit,
workflow analysis, and implementing PublishingXpert.
How will PublishingXpert be
supported?
Netscape Technical Support will offer the primary support
services for PublishingXpert. If the customer has
purchased via a Solution Expert Program partner, then
they will act as the primary channel of support.
Where can I get more information?
For more information you can access the Actra web site at
www.actracorp.com or
the Netscape web site at www.netscape.com or
call Netscape on 1-800-638-7483.
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