BackWeb Technologies has started shipping version 5.1 of its patent-pending Offline Access Server (OAS). The version delivers new capabilities that enable richer offline application experiences for mobile laptop users. Among the new features OAS 5.1 offers are a new powerful offline search module, support for AJAX and XML-based web applications, and Solaris 10 server platform support.

OAS 5.1 Innovations include, according to the company:

-- New Offline Search Module - fast and comprehensive search of all offline web application content, including the application's web user interface and associated documents and data files. Includes ability to search in most major document formats.

-- AJAX Support - support for applications using AJAX with efficient handling of separated XML and presentation logic.

-- Solaris 10 Support - Solaris 10 server platform certification.

-- Performance Improvements - efficiency improvements to content acquisition process and support for more modular approach to content acquisition when preparing synchronizations.

-- Enhanced Administrator Controls - enhanced control and optimization of the Offline Access Server processes via more granular logging controls, new synchronization queue controls, and more modular install/uninstall of system components.

"Our release of OAS version 5.1 shows we continue to provide and leverage the latest technologies to help companies achieve maximum mobile use of their key enterprise web applications. Enterprises have invested millions in these applications, and we help them leverage that investment by making their applications available for use by any employee anywhere in the world at any time," said Bill Heye, CEO of BackWeb(R). "Companies can realize significant productivity gains, cost reductions and improved employee satisfaction by equipping their mobile people with their applications whenever and wherever they are needed."

The company says that the OAS accomplishes offline application use and synchronization without requiring changes to the existing enterprise web applications or installation of complex software on users' laptops. Users only have to install a single browser plug-in, which can support all of their offline web applications. Mobile workers work offline in the browser, interacting with the same look and feel of the online applications and as a result do not require re-training. Their offline work and any online updates to the applications are automatically and incrementally synchronized in the background when users regain a network connection. Thus, users get the same flexible usability with any of their web applications that they currently have with their email clients.

OAS 5.1 builds on these design principles and adds support for large deployments and more sophisticated web applications. The central control and flexibility of web applications are all leveraged with this approach, and changes in users' application rights are reflected automatically upon synchronization. With OAS 5.1, enterprises can also retain the cost effectiveness and control of web application architectures while realizing the benefits of unlimited mobile laptop application use.