PowerBuilder is a powerful tool for creating high-performance business applications using a combination of graphical design tools and highly tuned database drivers. The result is very fast compiled object modules that access data from a variety of data sources.

In many large installations, the PowerBuilder applications and forms are loaded on central file servers and SQL databases used to access the actual data. While SQL reduces network bandwidth required to access the data, the applications and forms are not handled as efficiently and can put a significant load on the network and file server.

The large number and total size of the PowerBuilder forms can slow application load time and put a significant strain on the network. Until now, the only solution to this problem was to copy the PowerBuilder applications and forms to the local hard disk. Although this addresses the performance problem, it also increases administration and support costs to keep all of the copied forms in sync with the data.

Shared LAN Cache from Measurement Techniques, Inc. is an ideal solution that solves performance problems without increasing administration costs.

To improve the performance of PowerBuilder applications, SLC automatically caches files used by the application in a local, non-volatile cache. SLC automatically caches the PowerBuilder forms and applications the first time they are accessed. The next time the user accesses these same files from the server, they are read from the SLC local cache on the user's PC hard disk instead of the file server. ( If the files are not in sync, SLC automatically updates the cache.) This dramatically improves performance and reduces the load on the network and file server.

SLC incorporates a non-volatile cache that eliminates redundant read requests over the network. While most caches in use today are volatile, losing their contents when power is shut down, data in SLC's non-volatile cache is retained and the cached forms are still immediately available when power is restored.

SLC is NOS independent and works with all of the major file servers including NetWare, NT, Vines, PathWorks, LAN Manager and NFS. SLC is available for DOS, Windows, Windows 95 and NT. SLC is easy to install, transparent to the user and requires no administration.

SLC is easy to configure and setup. During installation, SLC automatically detects the environment in which it is being installed and loads the appropriate software and drivers (DLL in Win 3.1, 32-bit VxD for Win 95 and NT.)

SLC can be deployed on the individual PC or centrally on the file server. Network administrators can custom configure the software for each workstation or deploy it with a common template across the entire network.

PowerBuilder users are ideal candidates for employing SLC caching technology. Using SLC to centrally deploy applications while still taking advantage of the performance normally associated with local installations makes a powerful tool like PowerBuilder even better.

PowerBuilder users that have already taken advantage of the performance enhancement available by using Shared LAN Cache represent a wide range of industries including: publishing, municipal government, banking and insurance.

In addition to the SLC Client software, MTI also offers an optional SLC Server to address WAN performance problems. The SLC server provides a shared cache of files to a group of SLC Clients connected to the same LAN segment. Files are read only once over the WAN by one of the SLC Clients and automatically saved in the shared cache of the SLC Server. Requests for the same file from any of the SLC clients are returned from the shared cache improving performance and saving bandwidth on the WAN.

SLC server software is packaged as a service on a user-supplied Windows NT server.

MTI began shipping SLC Client for DOS in October 1995. Since then, MTI has added native support for Windows 3.1, Windows 95 and Windows NT. SLC is currently installed on thousands of PCs at over 100 companies across the United States and Canada.

The software costs $99 for a single user license and $5,000 for a 100 user license. Volume pricing for large organizations is also available.

The optional SLC server provides a shared cache for a group of SLC Clients to improve WAN performance. SLC server prices start at $1,750 for 25 users.

Measurement Techniques, Inc., headquartered in Stoughton, Massachusetts, is a leading supplier of high performance LAN caching solutions. Its SLC products dramatically improve network performance while lowering support costs and increasing user productivity.

More information about MTI and Shared LAN Cache is available on the World Wide Web, including downloadable evaluation software at http://www.lancache.com or by contacting Measurement Techniques by E-mail at info@lancache.com.

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