Altova Releases Version 2008 of Its Award-Winning Software Product Line

"It's major product and feature enhancements like thesethat keep Altovacustomers ahead of the technology curve and give them realproductivityadvantages," said Tim Hale, Director of Worldwide Marketingfor Altova."Our record of delivering superior products with unparalleledfunctionalityhas earned us over three million registered users and keepsorganizationsturning to Altova products for their software developmentand datamanagement needs."

New in XMLSpy 2008

Altova XMLSpy is the world's best-selling XML editor andthe industrystandard XML development environment for modeling, editing,transforming,and debugging XML-related technologies. New features inXMLSpy 2008include:

-- Extended support for OfficeOpen XML(OOXML) -- With support for OOXML in XMLSpy 2008, userscan extract, edit,query, and transform XML data from within Microsoft Word,Excel, and nowPowerPoint 2007 files, enabling them to repurpose and re-usethe vastamount of data being created in the new Microsoft Office2007 default fileformats.

-- Data editing in Database Query window -- Through thenew SQL editingcapabilities in XMLSpy's Database Query window users cannow edit data,review the changed fields, and commit the changes back tothe database.This new functionality makes working with database contentin XMLSpy 2008more seamless than ever.

-- Evaluating XPath expressions across multiple files --The unique XPathAnalyzer window in XMLSpy 2008 lets users execute and viewthe results ofXPath expressions across multiple files simultaneously andenables them tocompose, test, and troubleshoot XPath expressions with ease.Separate tabsfor storing and evaluating expressions allow developersto make changes andre-evaluate expressions without retyping them.

-- Support for XInclude and XPointer -- XMLSpy 2008 providessupport forthe W3C standards, XInclude (XML Inclusions) and XPointer(the XML PointerLanguage). Through helpful dialogs XMLSpy users are nowable to selectentire documents or document fragments using XPointer, andinclude them ina file using XInclude.

Learn more about all the features in XMLSpy 2008 at:

The new OOXML, XInclude, and XPointer capabilities are alsosupported inAltovaXML, a FREE XML processor that includes Altova's XSLT1.0 andschema-aware XSLT 2.0 engine, XQuery engine, and XML validatingparser.Learn more about AltovaXML 2008 at:

New in MapForce 2008

Altova MapForce is the premier data mapping, conversionand integrationtool. It maps any combination of XML, database, flat file,EDI, and/or Webservice, then converts data instantly or generates royalty-freedataintegration applications for recurrent conversions. Newenhancements inMapForce 2008 include:

-- Aggregate data processing functions -- The MapForce functionlibrary nowincludes aggregate functions that allow users to performcomputations on arange of data within a source field and return a unifiedvalue to thetarget. New functions calculate the sum, minimum, maximum,and average of agroup of data, or join values from multiple fields together,bringing evenmore functionality to the graphical MapForce data mappinginterface.

-- ValueMap function for transforming field values -- WithMapForce 2008users can now build data processing functions that transformthe values ofan input field into a different set of result data. Forexample, if monthsare represented by numbers in the mapping source, the numberscan bechanged to correspond to the month names in the target.This new capabilityadds more versatility for mapping XML, databases, flat file,EDI, and WebServices data.

-- Enhanced options for XML output -- New options for customizingthe XMLoutput generated when mapping data to an XML file are availablein MapForce2008. Users can now enable pretty-printing of generatedXML output or theycan omit XML Schemas/DTD references when a schema isn'tavailable to theend user of the output. The encoding of the output (e.g.,ASCII, UTF-8) canalso now be changed for each XML target in a mapping.

Learn more about all the features in MapForce 2008 at:

New in StyleVision 2008

Altova StyleVision is the ultimate visual stylesheet designer for transforming XML and databasecontent intoHTML pages, PDF reports, Word/RTF documents, and creatingAltova Authenticelectronic forms. New capabilities in StyleVision 2008 include:

-- Support for Modular StyleVision designs -- StyleVision2008 makes itpossible to re-use portions of existing design files whencreating newdesigns. Users can simply add an existing StyleVision stylesheetas amodule in the Design Tree, and its constructs can then beused in the newdesign. This makes it possible to collaborate and re-useportions ofexisting stylesheets to quickly create new designs.

-- New Database Connection wizard -- The same user-friendlydatabaseconnection wizard featured in XMLSpy, MapForce, and DatabaseSpyis nowavailable in StyleVision 2008, simplifying its use in stylingrelationaldatabase content into HTML, PDF, Word/RTF, and Authenticforms.

-- Database Query window -- StyleVision 2008 includes anew Database Querywindow, enabling users to query a database using SQL orSQL/XML statements.A Database Browser pane displays the connection informationand databasetables, a SQL Editor pane makes writing accurate querieseasy, and theResults pane clearly displays the returned data. The StyleVisionDatabaseQuery window provides users with a quick user-friendly wayto view databasedata while creating stylesheet designs to publish eye-catchingoutput fromthe database content.

Learn more about all the features in StyleVision 2008 at:

New in UModel 2008

Altova UModel is the simple cost-effective way to draw onUML. It letsusers visually design application models and generate codeor reverseengineer programs into UML diagrams. The new features inUModel 2008include:

-- Tight integration with Visual Studio and Eclipse -- Thenew UModelEnterprise Edition integrates with and operates inside theVisualStudio and Eclipse IDEs. New functionality includes automatic,real-time synchronization that allows developers to instantlysee theimpact of application revisions, whether implemented inthe model ordirectly in code in a source code editor.

-- Support for Visual Basic .NET code engineering -- Inaddition to Javaand C#, UModel 2008 now supports code engineering for VisualBasic .NET(VB.NET) versions 7.1 (2003) and 8.0 (2005). VB.NET userswillrecognize the opportunity to increase development efficiencyby takingadvantage of UModel's intuitive and straightforward softwaremodelingand code generation functionality. Additionally, they willbe able toreuse existing modules by applying UModel reverse engineeringto the application code.

Learn more about all the features in UModel 2008 at:

New in DatabaseSpy 2008

Altova DatabaseSpy is the unique multi-database query anddesign tool thatconnects to all major databases and eases SQL editing anddatabase design.New enhancements in DatabaseSpy 2008 include:

-- Creating and editing database views -- Expanding on itssupport forquerying database views, DatabaseSpy 2008 users can nowcreate and editdatabase views. A view is a stored query that returns acustomized subsetof data from one or more database tables for convenientaccess, and theability to add and modify views greatly enhances DatabaseSpy'susefulness.

-- Creating and editing stored procedures -- Adding to itsrobust featureset, DatabaseSpy 2008 enables users to create, edit, andexecute storedprocedures. Stored procedures allow faster execution ofsets of multipleSQL statements and are used to optimize repetitive databasequeries andregular operations, making this an important new capabilityfor databaseadministrators and developers.

-- Database content editing -- With DatabaseSpy 2008 usersare able toretrieve and edit content in existing database tables, addrows to insertnew data, or delete entire rows. Edits to the content aremade locally inthe data preview window, but aren't applied to the databaseuntil the userclicks a special Commit button. This permits users to reviewchanges beforeapplying them to the database, minimizing the occurrenceof errors.

Learn more about all the features in DatabaseSpy 2008 at:

New in DiffDog 2008

Altova DiffDog is a unique synchronization tool that quicklycompares text,source code, and XML files and diverse directories thenhighlightsdifferences and merges content via its straightforward visualinterface.New capabilities in DiffDog 2008 include:

-- Enhanced directory merge functionality -- New foldersync options inDiffDog 2008 enable users to update/merge entire folders,includingsubfolders in a single step. Users can now also skip thesteps of reviewingand merging differences individually.

-- Binary file comparison -- DiffDog 2008 now examines andcompares thecontent, as well as file size and modification dates, ofbinary filesduring directories comparisons. Image files, compiled applicationexecutables, or binary-based documents created by any applicationare allaccurately processed, increasing the efficiency of directorydifferencing.

Learn more about all the features in DiffDog 2008 at:

New in SchemaAgent 2008

Altova SchemaAgent is the visionary tool for analyzing andmanaging XMLSchema, XML instance, XSLT, and WSDL file relationshipsacross a project oran enterprise. New functionality in SchemaAgent 2008 includes:

-- Visualizing and managing XSLT and WSDL file relationships-- SchemaAgent2008 provides important new functionality for visualizing,managing, andmodeling XSLT and WSDL files. Users can drag XSLT or WSDLfiles from theSchemaAgent explorer into the design pane. Files are thendisplayed asgraphical components with details on imported or includedXSLT or WSDLfiles, associated XML Schemas, inline schemas, and definednamespaces. Withits intelligent drag-and-drop functionality users can evenchange or createconnections. This new functionality makes SchemaAgent 2008a comprehensivetool for understanding and managing file dependencies acrossprojects,development teams, and enterprises.

Learn more about all the features in SchemaAgent 2008 at:

New in SemanticWorks 2008

Altova SemanticWorks is a groundbreaking visual RDF/OWLeditor for theSemantic Web. It lets users visually design Semantic Webinstance docs,vocabularies, and ontologies then output them in RDF/XMLor N-triples code.New features in SemanticWorks 2008 include:

-- Editing instances of classes -- Now, in addition to viewingand creatinginstances of RDFS or OWL classes using a graph, SemanticWorks2008 userscan take advantage of the new Details entry helper in SemanticWorks2008.This makes it easy to select the properties for each instanceof a classusing context-sensitive drop down menus.

Learn more about all the features in SemanticWorks 2008at:

More information on all the new features supported in Version2008 of theAltova product line is available at:

Availability and Pricing

Version 2008 of Altova XMLSpy, MapForce, StyleVision, UModel,DatabaseSpy,DiffDog, SchemaAgent, and SemanticWorks is currently availablewith pricingstarting at (USD) $499, $249, $249, $129, $129, $129, $129,and $129respectively. These products may be purchased directly fromthe AltovaOnline Shop at:

30-day free trials of all Altova products may be downloadedfrom:

The Altova MissionKit 2008 bundles up to eight Altova productsfor lessthan the price of two.* All MissionKits include XMLSpy,MapForce, andStyleVision at substantial savings, plus options are availablethat add upto five of the other application development, data management,and modelingtools listed above effectively free of charge. The AltovaMissionKit iscurrently available with pricing starting at $740. Learnmore about theAltova MissionKit at:

Altova recommends the purchase of its Support and MaintenancePackage (SMP)with all software purchases. Altova SMP provides free softwareversionupgrades, maintenance releases, and priority technical supportfor theduration of the support period. Learn more at:

About Altova

Altova accelerates application development and data managementprojectswith software and solutions that enhance productivity andmaximize results.As an innovative, customer-focused company and the creatorof XMLSpy andother leading XML, data management, UML, and Web servicestools, Altova isthe choice of over 3 million clients worldwide, including91 percent of theFortune 500. Enabling customers ranging from vast developmentteams in theworld's largest organizations to progressive one-personshops, Altova'sline of software tools fulfills a broad spectrum of businessneeds. Altovais an active member of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)and ObjectManagement Group (OMG) and is committed to delivering standards-basedplatform-independent solutions that are powerful, affordable,and easy touse. Altova was founded in 1992 and has headquarters inBeverly,Massachusetts and Vienna, Austria. Visit Altova on the Webat:

Note to Editors:

*Pricing comparison is edition-specific and based on AltovaMissionKit vs.any two individual licenses of the following included products:XMLSpy,MapForce, and StyleVision.

Altova, MissionKit, XMLSpy, MapForce, StyleVision, UModel,DatabaseSpy,DiffDog, SchemaAgent, SemanticWorks, Authentic, and AltovaXMLaretrademarks and/or registered trademarks of Altova GmbH inthe United Statesand/or other countries. The names of and reference to othercompanies andproducts mentioned herein may be the trademarks of theirrespective owners.