Invitation

Dear Software Developer: You may benefit knowing there is a powerful new software development environment for Delphi database applications. Your first question for using Ariel likely is, "Can I build applications to support any datasource or database format?" The good news is YES and frankly this is why we built this toolkit. To our knowledge, no other product compares. Using Ariel Development Environment (ADE) you are free to use virtually any database. The ADE supports Nortech's Data Access Objects SDK for Delphi. The Ariel DAO SDK is a comprehensive encapsulation of the Microsoft DAO. The SDK includes full support for the Microsoft DAO with numerous enhancements and new classes. You can support Microsoft Access; dBase III, IV, and V; all versions of Paradox; all versions of FoxPro; all versions of Excel and Lotus and Text. With ODBC support through the Microsoft Jet Database Engine (Jet is the database engine at the heart of Access) or Nortech's upcoming Ariel ODBCFast(tm) you are fully empowered to code advanced Delphi applications to access and manipulate data on server systems such as Oracle, SQL Server, Sybase and more. You enjoy high speed access to the core of database technology via a sophisticated OO call level interface or at a higher level through the Delphi VCL using data abstraction components and visual data aware controls. With these powers in your hands, we believe you and Ariel have the most powerful database development environment available today. The Ariel DAO SDK for Delphi: ADE allows multiple database engines and data access technologies to be supported and to co-exist in a Delphi application. Ariel completely liberates Delphi from its dependence on the BDE and Borland's IDAPI technology. Now Delphi developers can work with any database engine. However, there is no need or requirement to replace the BDE. Ariel allows you to build database applications with or without the BDE. Borland database developers that need to "hit" alternative engines and data sources to the BDE have had major problems. Alternate routes have had to be devised. Not only are these routes slow, they are also code heavy and a costly means of accessing alternative data and information servers. Further, Delphi developers are locked out of the lucrative Access database development market enjoyed by users of Microsoft's development products and programming languages. Access databases are now found on over 20 million desktops. An Access database will probably be on every Windows desktop in the next two years. Ariel solves all these problems and limitations for Delphi developers. Also, Ariel... * is an open object oriented architecture extendable by third parties (This means that you can sell your plug-in and visual components as an Ariel Partner, or build necessary custom support to suit your client's needs). * exposes all open call level or handle interfaces * fully supports the Delphi visual component architecture * ships with all necessary source code to allow a developer to expose or link a database engine, or any source of tabular or columnar data, as a plug-in to the ADE. * ships with source code to build Ariel data access components and data aware visual controls is also provided. (Templates for fast component building included.) * ships with a complete set of visual (VCL) components and source code (Q1-97) If you're ready to enjoy the power of the ADE, Nortech is now shipping: 1 - The Ariel DAO SDK (available now) 2 - Ariel Advanced Development Environment (in final beta, shipping February 1997) 3 - Ariel "EEPs" Early Experience and Early Adopters Program (a few openings are still available) 4 - OLEdb and Remote and Intranet-Based Database Development tools (shipping in the first quarter of 1997) Free technical support is still being offered now to registered Ariel developers. Free one day seminars in advanced database development are also included for all EEPs participants as well as all registered users who purchase prior to February 15, 1997. This seminar is at least an $800 value. Classes are being held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Nortech accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express and company checks. Sorry no Purchase Orders or C.O.D. orders. If you wish to purchase Ariel, please reply to this letter. If you need a some specific questions answered before receiving Ariel, please reply with your name, telephone number and the best time to call. A consulting senior engineer will then call you (North America only). Sincerely, Jeffrey R. Shapiro CEO P.S. If you or your company wish to use the ADE, you will find more details on the Web, including the Ariel White Paper, Ariel FAQs, Ariel Press Releases, documentation and additional contact information. http://www.wizzkids.com/ariel.html is a good place to start. Also the CompuServe Delphi forums and discussion groups are attended by Nortech's top engineers who will answer your detailed questions. Otherwise please reply to this message. Thank you.