NetObjects adds scripting

Acadia is mostly known for its so-called scripting products that allow programmers a quick, easy way to add animation and other features to a Web site.

NetObjects, which makes the Fusion and TeamFusion products and is majority-owned by IBM Corp. (IBM), had previously bundled Acadia's Infuse in Fusion 2.0. Fusion was recently upgraded with the release of version 3.0.

NetObjects' move to add scripting capabilities to its authoring tools could position the small privately held company to take on Microsoft Corp. in the development space, analysts said.

"Developing a comprehensive Web site means using lots of different kinds of tools to build different functions and to support a variety of back-end systems," said Michael Goulde, an analyst with Patricia Seybold Computing Group in Boston. "NetObjects really needed scripting support, and Acadia has one of the best tools out there."

"They are assembling a full suite of tools so they can be a major player," said Bruce Smith, a Merrill Lynch analyst. "If you want to compete with Microsoft, you have to have a full suite of development tools. It's a great deal for them."

By acquiring Acadia's product set, the company has given its developers another tool that will allow them to write to a variety of platforms, another key element in providing an alternative to Microsoft's development tools, Goulde said.

"They're agnostic, so they have a broad base to build on," he said, adding that most of the company's competitors don't have very large installed bases, another thing working in its favor.

Scripting is becoming increasingly popular with Web developers, with 3.5 million Web pages using some form of scripting last year, NetObjects officials said, as compared to 500,000 Web pages in 1996. NetObjects may pursue other acquisitions to round out the company's product offerings, something the 150-person firm could not do without IBM's backing, according to officials.

"One of the results of the funding from IBM is that we have the ability to build a business and we don't have to raise cash," said NetObjects Chairman Samir Arora.

Redwood City, Calif.-based NetObjects did not release financial details of Tuesday's deal, but said that Acadia, of Boxborough, Mass., will retain ownership of its consulting and services division.

"Scripting seems to be that common glue ... that almost every site builder is going to need or be doing to build these more dynamic Web sites," said Morris Taradalsky, NetObjects' executive vice president of the new application development tool division.

Also Tuesday, NetObjects released an enhanced version of Acadia's Infuse 2.0, which had not yet been released, under the moniker NetObjects ScriptBuilder 2.0. A preview version of ScriptBuilder 2.0 is available on the NetObjects site and the $99 final version will be available within 60 days. NetObjects customers who received the Infuse bundle will be able to upgrade to ScriptBuilder 2.0 for $49 while users who bought Infuse directly from Acadia can obtain a free upgrade. NetObjects Inc., a maker of Internet software, has agreed to buy the software business of Acadia Software Inc. in a move to broaden its product offerings for Web-site developers.

Acadia is mostly known for its so-called scripting products that allow programmers a quick, easy way to add animation and other features to a Web site.

NetObjects, which makes the Fusion and TeamFusion products and is majority-owned by IBM Corp. (IBM), had previously bundled Acadia's Infuse in Fusion 2.0. Fusion was recently upgraded with the release of version 3.0.

NetObjects' move to add scripting capabilities to its authoring tools could position the small privately held company to take on Microsoft Corp. in the development space, analysts said.

"Developing a comprehensive Web site means using lots of different kinds of tools to build different functions and to support a variety of back-end systems," said Michael Goulde, an analyst with Patricia Seybold Computing Group in Boston. "NetObjects really needed scripting support, and Acadia has one of the best tools out there."

"They are assembling a full suite of tools so they can be a major player," said Bruce Smith, a Merrill Lynch analyst. "If you want to compete with Microsoft, you have to have a full suite of development tools. It's a great deal for them."

By acquiring Acadia's product set, the company has given its developers another tool that will allow them to write to a variety of platforms, another key element in providing an alternative to Microsoft's development tools, Goulde said.

"They're agnostic, so they have a broad base to build on," he said, adding that most of the company's competitors don't have very large installed bases, another thing working in its favor.

Scripting is becoming increasingly popular with Web developers, with 3.5 million Web pages using some form of scripting last year, NetObjects officials said, as compared to 500,000 Web pages in 1996. NetObjects may pursue other acquisitions to round out the company's product offerings, something the 150-person firm could not do without IBM's backing, according to officials.

"One of the results of the funding from IBM is that we have the ability to build a business and we don't have to raise cash," said NetObjects Chairman Samir Arora.

Redwood City, Calif.-based NetObjects did not release financial details of Tuesday's deal, but said that Acadia, of Boxborough, Mass., will retain ownership of its consulting and services division.

"Scripting seems to be that common glue ... that almost every site builder is going to need or be doing to build these more dynamic Web sites," said Morris Taradalsky, NetObjects' executive vice president of the new application development tool division.

Also Tuesday, NetObjects released an enhanced version of Acadia's Infuse 2.0, which had not yet been released, under the moniker NetObjects ScriptBuilder 2.0. A preview version of ScriptBuilder 2.0 is available on the NetObjects site and the $99 final version will be available within 60 days. NetObjects customers who received the Infuse bundle will be able to upgrade to ScriptBuilder 2.0 for $49 while users who bought Infuse directly from Acadia can obtain a free upgrade.