Accessing dll files from java

Hi,
There's a certain dll file being provided by a third party that would be interesting to us if we'd be able to access it through java.
After 2 days of searching I got 2 options:
- Using the M$ jactivex to generate some kind of wrapper classes, which are then accessible through use of M$ com libraries. However, appearantly, it ties you to the MS VM. Our application is running on Sun's VM, so a big problem there.
- Using JNI, I'd have to create the header files and then alias every method I wish to use in a external program/library. What language or compiler I'd have to use is somewhat of a mistery to me, besides the fact that I'd have to learn how to use the intended dll file from within that language.
There is "J-Integral", but this seems to be focused on EJB creations, which is too much of a good thing.
Does anybody have an idea of getting around the MS limitations or an *easy* way to generate some kind of wrapping around the dll file, so I can use it more easily. I mean, having to generate a java class for each class in the dll file, I can understand, but why do you have to create this extra duplicate layer in between, written in a different language?
Other libraries, usefull tutorials (that cover the "extra" language bit more thouroughly), example code (besides the usual .h creation stuff)would be greatly appreciated...
Thanks!

can't vouch for it, but this url was posted on the JavaDigest site last week:
http://www.jniwrapper.com/index.jsp
Their home page reads in part: "With JNIWrapper you do not have to create native code libraries to call a function of the operating system API or a function from any DLL. You write your code using Java only, and our product does the rest."

You can also check out these links:
http://www.infozoom.de/ie/jacozoom.html
or
http://danadler.com/jacob/
/Johan