Aras announced the availability of Version 9 of the Aras Innovator suite of model-based service-oriented architecture (SOA) solutions for enterprise Product Lifecycle Management (PLM). Version 9 delivers model-based SOA for PLM and includes single-instance multi-language capabilities and support for the latest Microsoft platform products; Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Microsoft Windows Server 2008, and Microsoft Visual Studio 2008.

“Service-oriented architectures (SOA) represent a significant advancement in enterprise PLM because of the reduced complexity and improved flexibility,” said Marc Halpern, Research Director at Gartner. “Using an SOA, enterprises are able to complement and extend existing systems through Web services to incrementally automate complicated business processes much more quickly and easily than previously possible.”

“By delivering an advanced model-based SOA exclusively on the Microsoft platform in an enterprise open source format, Aras is unleashing the extensive power of SQL Server 2008 to provide global enterprises with a trusted, productive, and intelligent data platform,” said Kim Saunders, senior director for SQL Server Marketing at Microsoft Corp. “The innovation advantage that the Microsoft platform provides for partners is compelling, and we are committed to enabling Microsoft partners such as Aras as they create ever greater value for customers.”

Model-Based SOA – Advanced Solutions
The model-based environment in Aras Innovator Version 9 represents a significant innovation in enterprise SOA software for PLM. Highlights include:

• Real-time Solution Customization
• No Impact Upgrades

“Aras makes extremely powerful enterprise software solutions easy to implement and use,” said Peter Schroer, President of Aras Corporation. “The Microsoft open approach provides practical solution innovations that deliver results because they come directly from our corporate community members worldwide.”

Multilanguage Internationalization – Global Collaboration
Aras Innovator Version 9 includes single-system multi-language internationalization capabilities for greater global collaboration. Internationalization and localization are integral to the Version 9 model-based SOA and are stored as data in Microsoft SQL Server.

This simplifies the development and sharing of language packs by eliminating external resource files and getting rid of the need to compile code before using translated solutions. Highlights include:

• One Installation, Many Languages
• Global Corporate Clock
• Microsoft Platform
• Microsoft SQL Server 2008
• Microsoft Windows Server 2008
• Microsoft Visual Studio 2008
• Open Options

Aras Innovator Version 9’s enterprise open source format on the Microsoft platform makes the production-ready solutions freely available with complete access for unlimited users. Companies can use as little or as much of the extensive functionality as needed for no charge.

Aras Innovator Version 9 provides comprehensive solution functionality for enterprise-wide PLM deployments, and open XML / SOAP Web services easily connect to existing ERP or PDM systems to leverage previous investments.

Aras customers include Motorola, Lockheed Martin, Delphi, Ingersoll Rand, Rolls-Royce, ACCO Brands, Freudenberg, Fox Electronics, Mega Brands, Structural Concepts, and the US Army.