Visual BASIC-like development tool gets distribution in UK, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark.

REAL Software of Austin, Texas, and Nova Group International, a pan-European distributor, announced the availability of the REALbasic Macintosh product line in Northern Europe. Nova Group will assume all marketing, sales and support of the well-received product line in United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark. Proactive International, the channel agency that created the alliance, had this to say:

REAL Software provides support from 'REAL people' and prides itself on the productivity of REALbasic as a product and the REAL Software end user experience. We want to ensure that our United Kingdom customers can buy the product locally and get support without having to suffer from international shipping and contact problems - Geoff Perlman, CEO of REAL Software.

REALbasic 2 is available in a Standard Edition, which builds on the ease of use of the innovative tool REAL Software introduced last year. The Standard Edition adds several new controls, including controls for working with and automating Internet protocols, as well as advanced support of rich media, including the latest version of Apple Computer's QuickTime technology. REALbasic 2 Professional includes advanced database connectivity; a single user, SQL-based database engine; and compile options that allow single click creation of Microsoft Windows 95/98/NT applications from the same source code that produces native Macintosh applications. Database connectivity includes Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, any ODBC database, and PostgreSQL. Advanced users can also directly access the Macintosh Toolbox and native Windows APIs.

Proactive International, LLC, an international channel agency, architected the alliance. Nova Group International will also provide a version of the REALbasic tutorial in Swedish, allowing Swedish speakers to get started right away with developing REALbasic applications.

There is a strong base of Swedish speaking Macintosh users who appreciate powerful and elegant programming tools like REALbasic. Our relationship with REAL Software will ensure they get the best programming tools for Apple Computer's new iMac and G3 Power Macintosh systems- Guy Jones, General Manager of Nova Group International.

REALbasic is also available in Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese and US English versions.

REALbasic 2 is available in the United States in two flavors from REAL Software. The Standard Edition retails for US$99.95, with the Professional Edition costs US$299.95.