Tail-f Systems has announced the availability of ConfD on-device management software for MontaVista Linux. ConfD includes all necessary management agents, such as NETCONF/XML, CLI, Web Interface and SNMP, all with shared AAA functionality and embedded configuration storage to manage carrier-grade network equipment.

Apache Software Foundation's Xindice is an open source native XML database. Apache provides great software to developers such as the Apache Web Server, Tomcat Application Server, Cocoon Web Development Framework, Struts Framework, Ant, and many more under an open source license. Apache Web Server is an industrial-strength product that is used by many high-traffic Web sites. Apache Tomcat is a servlet container that implements both Java Servlets and Java Server Pages. The fact that Xindice is a member of the Apache Software Foundation gives it substantial credibility, because Apache produces well-known, well-respected software. We will explore the Xindice native XML database beginning with its installation and advancing step by step. As the Xindice home page suggests, you are encouraged to pronounce it as 'zeen-dee-chay' with your best faux Italian accent. Xindice supports XPath query language, XML:DB, and XUpdate standards in Java, in addition to XML-RPC API for non-Java programmers.

Altova, creator of XMLSpy and other leading XML, data management, UML, and Web services tools, has announced a new approach to accelerating the creation of reliable Web services. By leveraging the visual design capabilities of Altova XMLSpy and MapForce, customers can rapidly develop applications based on WSDL, SOAP, and other Web-based industry standards so that data can be easily shared across disparate business systems.

DocSoft says its new enterprise search technology, called 'Element' unleashes the power of structured data within a company's repository. With Element as a plug-n-play addition to a company's network, users will be able to search for stored data across the network 'smarter,' thus more efficiently, the company says. Element indexes XML-originated documents according to each tag or 'element,' which provides what the company calls 'context searching.' Element can even search metadata embedded into virtually any file format using Adobe's eXtensible Metadata Platform (XMP).

Xenos Group, Inc. announced that Lee Garrison, Vice President Marketing has left the company effective February 1, 2006. Garrison, who joined Xenos in February 2005, has quit to pursue other interests.

DataDirect, whose own branded XQuery product is an XQuery implementation for applications that need to process both XML and relational data sources, has announced the availability of a new interview with XQuery guru and co-inventor, Jonathan Robie.

Azul Systems, Inc. announced that Tricia Tomlinson has joined the company as vice president of human resources. Tomlinson has 25 years of experience in the industry and has previously worked with Handspring, Xerox Corporation, Synopsys and Apple.

Altova XMLSpy has been named Most Innovative XML Application in the 2005 SOA Web Services Journal Readers' Choice Awards presented by SYS-CON Media. It was also a finalist in six other categories - Best XML Parser, Best XML Utility, Best GUI for SOA/Web Services, Best SOA/Web Services Testing Tool, Best SOA/Web Services Legacy Adapter or Utility and Best SOA/Web Services Automation Tool.