SAN FRANCISCO—Nexaweb Technologies, provider of tools for building and deploying enterprise Rich Internet Applications, has released jRex 1.0, a server-agnostic, declarative XML user interface engine that generates enterprise Web applications running in any browser.

Nexaweb announced the general availability of jRex 1.0 on May 16 at the JavaOne conference here.

The jRex 1.0 engine enables developers to create enterprise RIAs using any middle-tier technology, including Microsoft .Net, SOA (service-oriented architecture) solutions, Web services or native Java, company officials said.

jRex 1.0 features include: support for "codeless" or traditional programming; a data platform for binding middle-tier data to UI elements by defining the UI and data sources, binding data to the UI, and updating the UI and the data using client-side Xupdate; support for traditional programming models such as JavaScript, client-side Java, or server-side processes, including ASP, ASP.Net, JSP, Servlet, Struts, SOA or Web services; a flexible UI architecture that delivers usability, reliability and performance typically found in desktop applications; the ability to work seamlessly with any SOA infrastructure, including those from BEA, IBM, Oracle or SAP; and a single code base that runs on all desktops and on all browsers, including Firefox, as well as on any operating system, company officials said.

jRex 1.0 will be available to developers on May 19 as a fully functional edition, free of charge for non-commercial use.

"Following its AJAX [Asynchronous JavaScript and XML] client release last month, Nexaweb continues to demonstrate its commitment to supporting open standards-based RIA development with the release of jRex," said Ron Schmelzer, senior analyst of ZapThink, in a statement.

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In addition Nexaweb and TheServerSide.com also announced an open invitation for developers to participate in "Tech Rex," the Nexaweb/TheServerSide.com RIA Innovation Contest. The contest challenges developers to build innovative enterprise RIAs using Nexaweb's Java client, jRex. Submissions will be judged by an expert panel and on the basis of community popularity; winners will receive $10,000 in prize money. The contest runs May 19 through August 31, 2006.

Meanwhile, Nexaweb announced that EMC is licensed to use Nexaweb's RIA software in EMC's storage and information management products. Nexaweb's technology for building and deploying enterprise-class RIAs is now integrated into EMC ControlCenter 5.2 and the recently released Symmetrix Management Console, company officials said.

This article was originally published on eWEEK.com.