Introduction

Mosaic is a software system which provides a framework for developing and deploying collaborative applications in a robust, distributed environment. It was developed with a particular emphasis on achieving high availability, flexibility and supporting rapid development. It will scale effectively from a simple, low-volume implementation to high-volume, business-critical environments.

A Mosaic system consists of one or more servers sharing a common runtime infrastructure called the Mosaic Kernel. The Kernel provides an environment for Mosaic Applications by exposing a range of services including: message parsing and translation, intelligent message routing and communication transports, and rich eventing and logging facilities. The kernel transforms multiple collaborating applications distributed over many servers into a single, fault-tolerant and highly scalable system.

One of the services provided by the kernel, the Application Framework service, imposes a common structure on Mosaic Applications which is designed to promote fast and accurate implementation of new business applications through a strategy of reuse. Mosaic realizes this capability with a building block architecture that encourages the production and use of highly reusable components. The benefits are clear already with the first application. With each new development the application component library becomes more capable and complete.

We know that when you are asembling new applications from off-the-shelf components, it is what you put on the shelf that makes it a success.