Zend have released a new version of Zend Core for IBM. The new PHP development and production environment product that includes tight integration with DB2, the IBM Cloudscape database server, and native support for XML and Web Services, while also supporting increased adoption of Service Oriented Architectures (SOA).
Zend Core for IBM delivers a rapid development and deployment foundation for database driven applications and offers an upgrade path from the easy-to-use, lightweight Cloudscape database to the mission critical DB2, by providing a consistent API between the two.
The Challenges of PHP’s Transition into the Enterprise Space
With the tremendous benefits of open source software and PHP there are already many enterprises and SMBs (Small to Medium-sized Businesses) that have implemented PHP Web applications. However, with the advantages and benefits also come challenges. The major obstacles faced by companies and organizations while using open source software in general and PHP in particular lie in four areas: expertise, software maintenance, support and longterm assurance that the software will be maintained.
Zend Core for IBM aims to provide a solution for the next generation of IT web applications, and the efforts maked in that way. Zend Core provides a solution for the growing demand for a stable and supported PHP distribution, based on the expertise ready PHP5, the expertise of Zend founders which are the co-founders of PHP, with an Easy Installation and Configuration, GUI configuration, documentation and database support.
Zend Core provides PHP in binary mode, ensuring a standardized PHP environment. This environment saves the time it would take to build PHP from the source. A standardized PHP distribution, with a defined set of built-in extensions.
Software maintenance is made easy with Zend Core, Every quarter an updated version is released for every major OS (Operating System). Customers can update their systems with the latest bug and security fixes through the Internet with no hassle. HotFix packages support the needs of secure environments that do not permit direct Internet access.
Zend Core undergoes strict testing. Every version or bug fix undergoes a rigorous set of standardized tests. This ensures that the functionality of each major release of Zend Core is kept stable during the whole support lifespan. This gives the software a great stability for business environnement, In addition to the expert support, Long-Term Maintenance, IBM Endorsement, And the flexible Licensing.
