Expressor Software, a provider of data integration software, has announced the general availability of Expressor 3.3, the third enhancement release of the Expressor Data Integration Platform since the launch of Expressor 3.0 in December 2010.
Expressor 3.3 features a new extensibility framework that enables third-party developers, ISVs, and end user organizations to build connectors to web-service-based SaaS and cloud applications and to integrate Expressor with in-house systems and applications.
The Expressor 3.3 extensibility framework includes product enhancements that further improve developer productivity and reuse:
- New read and write custom operators enable Expressor Datascript developers to build adapters for reading and writing data from/to custom data sources and Web services. The Expressor 3.3 release includes a sample project that demonstrates use of the read custom operator to read personal contact records, using the Google Contacts Data API, which are then bulk loaded into Saleforce.com. The new extensibility framework delivers the platform foundation for creating packaged operators (connectors) to a wide range of new data sources and targets via function calls to Java and other language programs, web services, and FTP.
- A Datascript module design artifact makes it easy for users to keep track of their user-written functions and incorporate them into dataflows. Previously, users had to exercise greater care in storing, calling, and deploying the custom functions they created for their data integration applications. Calling functions is now simplified since Datascript modules can include references to other Datascript modules to any depth with Studio automatically managing the module dependency tree across multiple shared libraries.
- A new operator template facility expands on Expressor's already rich design reuse capabilities by enabling users to take "snapshots" of dataflow operators and add them to their dataflow tool palette for use in future dataflows. Combined with the new Datascript module artifact and read and write custom operators, the operator template facility completes the set of features demanded by more experienced Expressor users to be able to extend the platform so that more casual users can take advantage of their customizations.
In conjunction with Expressor 3.3, Expressor Software has also launched an enhanced community center forum to better support its fast growing user base.
A live demonstration of the new Expressor 3.3 capabilities is scheduled for July 13, 2011, 2 pm ET. Expressor 3.3 is available immediately and can be downloaded for free at www.expressorStudio.com.