Java Prototypes

New system development is a costly undertaking that may or may not work out. The smart way to develop a new system is to create a system prototype based on a sub-set of the new system's specifications. Pick the features you think are the hardest to implement, then use them in the prototype as a proof of concept. If the prototype can implement these difficult specifications then the rest of the design should not be a problem. Establish the specifications, set a time limit, provide a budget, and pick your developer.

Tagg Associates developed a Java web application prototype for the Bureau of Labor Statistics (Washington D.C.). This prototype is the foundation for a generic survey processing system. It is a 3-tier Java Intranet Web application. The prototype has a client component that is down-loaded to the client PC as a Java Applet. The Applet behaves like a full-featured windows application with drag and drop capabilities, and the usual windows widgets, menus, and behavior. The Applet distributes the majority of processing to the client PC. It communicates with the middle tier using the HTTP protocol.
The middle tier resides on an NT4.0 server that is running a BEA WebLogic application server. This tier consists of a set of Java Servlets that provide database and messaging services to the client. The middle tier communicates with the database tier via JDBC. The client sends a database request to the database servlet which then creates a JDBC request to the database. The resulting data are then transferred back to the client via an HTTP response.
The third tier is a Sybase database, residing on a Unix server, that consists of ten tables that store the information required by the application. This prototype merges the capabilities of two Computer-Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI) systems that are in current use at BLS.
Tagg Associates developed a Java web application prototype named SecureIS as an alternative to the server side JSP based security system being developed by a client. The development of SecureIS was undertaken solely by Tagg Associates in the hopes of convincing the client that the java Swing user interface implemented by SecureIS makes user interaction much easier and faster than a JSP user interface (Drag and Drop and direct user communications). Also, since the application is designed as a data center internal tool rather than a public access tool the java Swing approach seemed more practical. The client decided to stay with their original JSP server side design.
SecureIS is a java web application (can be started as a web start application or as a locally installed application) designed to address the security concerns outlined by the Director of Central Intelligence Directive 6/3 (DCID 6/3). This system provides a company or agency the capability to manage and audit the security of information systems that process confidential information. The system provides for identifying the items in an information system that require security concern and assign DCID 6/3 security requirements to these items that are appropriate for the level of security concern. Provide a facility to associate security services with security requirements, and provide the reports and database facilities needed to be able to audit the security status of the information system. More information about this system can be found by following this link SecureIS Overview.

If you are interested in having Tagg Associates develop a prototype for your application please contact George White at:

ggwhite@taggassociates.com