Java et les architectures web « Network centric » ont permis dès 1996 de réunir le meilleur des 3 mondes : le monde Internet, avec l’accès universel aux applications grâce à un simple navigateur, le monde client-serveur, utilisant pleinement l’intelligence des postes de travail, … et la facilité d’exploitation des applications centralisées du monde mainframe.

Dans le modèle Java, les applications sont en effet exécutées sur un serveur, et le code objet, réutilisable, télédistribué à l’exécution, est exécutable à partir d’un simple navigateur (et de sa machine virtuelle Java). L’exploitation, la maintenance et la gestion de configuration des applications installées sont donc simplifiées, car le code est installé uniquement sur le serveur.

Grâce à cette technologie « révolutionnaire », de nouveaux modèles d’application 3 tiers se sont rapidement imposés, reposant sur des serveurs web, des serveurs d’applications J2EE et des serveurs de données.

La plupart des grands progiciels d’aujourd’hui (ERP, CRM, PLM, outils de portails, ..) migrent vers ce type d’architecture, qui leur permet de s’appuyer sur des couches middleware standardisées, de communiquer grâce à des EAI, de réutiliser des composants standard « web services », et de se spécialiser sur la dimension fonctionnelle.

Last but not least, par son indépendance vis-à-vis du poste client, Java permet de donner corps aux applications nomades, et de faciliter la mobilité, d’où le volet important qui lui est consacré dans cette journée.

Since 1996, Java and “Network centric” Web architectures have brought together the best of three worlds: the world of the Internet, with universal access to applications via browser technology, the world of the client-server, fully utilising work station capacity, and the ability to exploit applications centralised in the world of the mainframe.

With Java, applications reside on a server, and the reusable object code is downloaded and executed on a simple web browser (via a Java Virtual Machine). The use, maintenance and the management of the configuration of the installed applications is therefore simplified as the code is installed only on the server.

Thanks to this revolutionary technology, the new 3-tier model has been rapidly introduced and can now be found on Web, J2EE applications and data servers.

Most current major software packages (ERP, CRM, PLM, gateway utilities, etc) are moving towards this type of architecture, which allows them exploit the strengths of existing standardised middleware, to communicate via EAI, to reutilise standard “Web Services” components, and to specialise on functional excellence.

Last but not least, with respect to its independence vis-à-vis the client platform, Java facilitates and strengthens mobile applications - one of the most important and promising areas currently under development.

Who is / are the KGSt? Who are we at the KGSt? What does the KGSt do?

The KGSt is the largest association of local governments in Germany. Currently, approximately 1500 municipalities, districts (Kreise) and cities are members, including the four city states in Germany and Austria. Eligible for membership are municipalities with more than 10000 inhabitants. We are above party politics. Our activities include advising our members on all questions regarding leadership / management, steering and organisation; in short questions on the management of local administration. We initiate and promote the process of reformation now ongoing in many municipalities. The KGSt is an association based on solidarity. In constant discourse with our members, we work out recommendations for them.

The future of communities and the KGSt

The environment for local administration has fundamentally changed and is still doing so. This process will clearly be reinforced in the next years. Key issues are the citizens increasing demand of public services on the one hand and decreasing public finances on the other. Communities, which are members of the KGSt can choose from our rich supply of services to actively shape thefr future:

What is the KGSt?

The KGSt is the largest local government association in Germany, comprising approximately 1500 municipalities, districts (Kreise) and cities including the four city-states of Berlin, Bremen, Hamburg and Vienna, in Germany and Austria. All municipalities with more than 10000 inhabitants are eligible for membership.

Politically independent, our many activities include advising our members on all aspects of the leadership, management, organisation and steering of local government administration. We initiate and promote the process of reform now ongoing in many municipalities.

The KGSt is an association based on solidarity, in constant communication with its members and in tune with their needs.

The administration of local government is still undergoing a period of fundamental change, with increasing demands on public services on the one hand and decreasing public finances on the other. Communities who are members of the KGSt are able, in the face of these challenges, to choose from our wide range of services in order to respond to those increasing demands and to actively shape the future of this challenging area of public administration.