The latest release in Altova’s line of desktop developer tools and server software products includes support for new industry standards, updated database support, and performance optimizations. With each new product version, we aim to provide customers with a mix of developer-requested features, support for emerging standards, and performance improvements. Version 2024r2 is no different, with tools introduced for working with YAML, FORTRAS EDI, and XBRL Report Packages as well as multiple performance and usability enhancements across the product line. Here’s a look at the highlights. YAML Va ..read more

The best ideas for new features and other improvements to existing software apps often come from enthusiastic users. Implementing new features creates opportunities for refactoring mobile apps. After several years using the MobileTogether Solar Data Tracking app to monitor the performance of a rooftop solar system, my friend Casey had a suggestion. The app displayed one page of charts and tables to report production by month over a year and another page to report daily production for the last 30 days. Navigation buttons on each page enabled easy switching between views. Casey’s suggestion was ..read more

Visual, no code tools like Altova RecordsManager have revolutionized the field of data-centric app creation, making it faster and more accessible. But now imagine expressing your database vision in a single sentence, and having it created automatically – including not just the database structure and tables, but forms and reports as well. That’s exactly what the new AI Assistant in RecordsManager does. With a single AI prompt, users of all skill levels can turn their ideas into functional database solutions without any coding or database design expertise required. RecordsManager lets you skip t ..read more

As IoT adoption continues, smart devices are driving efficient automation in our homes, in offices, and at scale in myriad industrial applications. Communication protocols play an increasingly pivotal role in ensuring seamless connectivity between devices used in these scenarios. One such protocol that has gained widespread adoption for its efficiency and lightweight nature is MQTT. MQTT’s flexibility allows app developers to implement it in various scenarios, from small-scale projects to enterprise-level applications. Whether it’s a simple office automation system or a complex industrial netw ..read more

Version 9.0 of MobileTogether, Altova’s low code app development framework, is now available with new features including comprehensive MQTT support, support for new gestures, drawing barcodes and QR codes, dark mode, and much more. Here’s a look at all the highlights. MQTT Support MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) is a lightweight messaging protocol used for communication by smart devices in both industrial automation and smart home / smart office scenarios. MQTT uses a subscribe / publish architecture that is intermediated by a broker. In this way, the protocol enables monitoring, c ..read more

A common requirement in data processing is batch data mapping, especially in the context of data transformation and integration. It involves converting data in batches rather than processing individual data points one at a time. Batch data mapping is often required in data integration scenarios where input from multiple sources needs to be aligned or transformed together. Two common scenarios are “batch to batch” and “batch to one.” In our latest series of MapForce demo videos, we explore these common data mapping challenges. BATCH TO BATCH DATA MAPPING Batch to batch data mapping is helpful i ..read more

A common requirement in data processing is batch data mapping, especially in the context of data transformation and integration. It involves converting data in batches rather than processing individual data points one at a time. Batch data mapping is often required in data integration scenarios where input from multiple sources needs to be aligned or transformed together. Two common scenarios are “batch to batch” and “batch to one.” In our latest series of MapForce demo videos, we explore these common data mapping challenges. Batch to Batch Data Mapping Batch to batch data mapping is helpful i ..read more

AI is a great productivity booster for IT projects, and working with databases is one area where AI is really making inroads for improving efficiency. By leveraging AI in database tools, DBAs and database developers of any skill level can save time and effort with AI-generated SQL scripts and sample data, for instance, as well as query optimization and troubleshooting. Altova offers an integrated AI Assistant in DatabaseSpy to help with SQL script creation, data modeling, SQL and error explanations, and even SQL pretty-printing. This makes the multi-database tool, which supports all major data ..read more

Developers working with XML often need to deal with multiple DTDs and XSDs that define industry-standard vocabularies. Whether it’s DITA for technical writing, HL7 for healthcare data, CbCR for financial reporting or any number of examples, it becomes a challenge to manage the various schemas—and numerous versions thereof—on a day-to-day basis. Altova recently introduced a new XML Schema Manager integrated in its XML-enabled products. This provides a centralized utility that makes it easy to download and manage industry schemas for use across the product line. Let’s see how it works. Manage I ..read more

The ESEF acronym has been top of mind for finance professionals across the EU and UK since mid 2019, when an upcoming reporting mandate from the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) was announced.   ESEF, which stands for European Single Electronic Format, is a digital financial reporting standard based on XBRL. As of early 2020, companies on EU regulated markets are mandated to prepare their annual reports in accordance with ESEF rules. What exactly is ESEF compliance, and what does it take to meet reporting requirements? Let’s take a look at the basics and some tools th ..read more