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Westbridge Technology Provides XML Security and Management for Microsoft Office 2003

Posted on: Monday, 13 October 2003, 06:00 CDT

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Westbridge Technology today announced the preview version of the XMS Plug-In for Microsoft Excel, providing Excel users with secure access to any XML Web Service. With the Westbridge XMS Plug-In for Microsoft Excel, users can browse services and dynamically bind to any standard Web Service interface with a few point-and- clicks, eliminating a major productivity problem and potential barrier to market adoption.

As a stand alone solution, Microsoft's Office 2003 provides only limited XML support. In an October 22, 2002 brief titled Microsoft Introduces the Live Document, Forrester Research states that Microsoft's tools for linking Office 2003 to data processes are primitive. The brief, written by Ted Schadler, principal analyst, adds that what is needed is a set of tools and servers that make it easier to build schema and templates, register and implement security policies and turn documents into a front end for applications.

"Microsoft and security are typically not complementary words," said Kerry Champion, president and founder of Westbridge Technology. "Microsoft Office 2003 is bringing Web Services to each and every desktop, and in the process, opening up new security and management issues. Corporations adopting the new release of Microsoft will potentially have thousands of Web Service Consumers. Westbridge has a solid offering that makes it easy to access back end Web Services while protecting the security and integrity of the communication throughout the entire Web Service network."

Communication between Excel and the Web Services is secured and monitored by the Westbridge XML Message Server (XMS). The Westbridge XMS has a full range of security and management offerings for Web Services, enabling Web Service administrators to secure the XML message stream, inspect the content, audit the activities and enable instant interoperability with back-end systems. With the Westbridge Service View capability, administrators can control which interfaces are presented to which users, including Microsoft Excel users and apply business rules and collect monitoring data as appropriate.

For example, Excel provides no native means of supporting authentication, encryption and signing for communication with back end services. In addition, Excel does not provide support for SAML, WS-Security, schema validation and other standards. Westbridge enables Excel to instantly connect with back end systems. Additionally, policy enforcement represents a serious challenge for most Office implementations. With the Westbridge XMS, administrators can instantly support the latest standards and enforce security and business policies from a central point.

The Westbridge XMS Plug-In for Microsoft Excel for Office XP and Office 2003 is currently available to qualified organizations. The XMS Plug-In is bundled with the XML Message Server (XMS).

About Westbridge Technology

Westbridge Technology provides Web Services Management (WSM) solutions that enable enterprises to secure and manage XML Web Services networks. The company's flagship product, the Westbridge XML Message Server (XMS) enables IT organizations to seamlessly connect, secure and manage XML Web Services networks. The Westbridge XMS is deployed by dozens of Global 1000 corporations and public sector institutions. For more information, please visit http://www.westbridgetech.com/ .

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