Macromedia Offers New Developer Resources For Breeze Software

The San Francisco-based vendor is slated to unveil sample code and documentation for its Macromedia Breeze software that will enable developers to integrate Web communications functionality directly into a company's existing directory services, intranet applications and portal pages.

The first two "solution accelerators," as Macromedia calls them, will allow developers to provide single sign-on for Breeze conferences through existing applications in a company's IT system, as well as let them schedule Breeze Web conferences in existing applications, said Kevin Lynch, vice president of e-earning and collaboration at Macromedia.

The solution accelerators are available immediately as free downloads for existing Breeze customers. Macromedia Breeze trial subscriptions also can be requested at the company's Web site.

Macromedia also plans to release accelerators that show developers how to cull other functions from Breeze for use in other applications, Lynch said. Developers already can integrate functions from Breeze by using XML-based Web services, but the solution accelerators act as guidelines, he said.

"Breeze itself is accessible entirely through XML," Lynch said. "That's pretty broad and expansive, so we're helping developers segue into some popular directions."

Macromedia launched Breeze last year as a competitor to Web conferencing products from WebEx, Raindance, Genysys Conferencing and Microsoft. The Breeze suite includes modules for building online presentations, creating and managing Web-delivered courseware, and adding live discussions among participants.