<< Previous Message << >> Next Message >>
| Date: | Fri, 11 Sep 1998 16:07:46 EST |
| From: | sbtaus@ibm.net |
| Reply-To: | |
| To: | 32bits@sbt.net.au |
| Subject: | StopPress: Soyring's SIG speech, and more |
Hi ladies and gentlemen, I have finally managed to retrieve Rod's mail, this
was meant to go in last news.
============================================================================On 17 Feb at the OS/2 SIG meeting in Sydney (Australia) we were visited by
John Soyring who was in town for the IBM Software World Rally, Asia Pacific
Region.
I took notes but my journalistic training never went as far as shorthand so
this is not a transcript but you may value a few points in his address.
Sorry I can't bullet these items and dress this up but here goes:-
OS/2 is on 41% of the desktop PCs and 57% of the PC servers in the top 10K
corps.
A bank in USA spent $500M on their (OS/2) in-house software. To justify this
they needed 10 years on the platform and so insisted on, and received from
LG, an assurance of OS/2 being around and supported for this duration. They
have 22,000 PC workstations.
IBM commits to OS/2 at both the client and server sides.
There are 15+ million users of 32-bit OS/2. 16-bit count was low and has
stopped.
One customer has 300k licences.
PSP is moving to implement new press relations so that the unfortunate
misunderstanding about Warp 4 code freeze will not recur.
(The above refers to the perception that v4 was to be the last OS/2. This
happened because a sales type misunderstood the move to incremental updates
and told a press type that the kernel was frozen leading to another round of
"OS/2 DEAD!" stories.)
Large customers had complained that as it took them 6-9 months to test their
apps on a new platform (version change) and then maybe 6 mo. to roll-out,
that IBM updates to the OS were happening faster than they could iterate
their test/r-o cycles.
So IBM is moving to ASD. Alternate Software Delivery which can target all or
just one company or even just one user with an internet delivered update or
solution.
There is an OS/2 based Firewall in the offing.
For a "dead" product OS/2 is getting a lot of attention and investment by
IBM.
In Q1-Q3/96 (i.e. 9 MONTHS) there were more lines of code written for OS/2
at IBM than in the previous 9 YEARS using LESS coders. The productivity
relates in no small way to the relocation of the CA and FL teams to TX.
IBM (using IDC figures and internal cross checks) sees that the perception
of NT winning all to be false. The figures show IBM getting 31% of the
desktops and 51% of the servers, meaning that they are maintaining market
share.
NT sales share is rising and NW is falling.
JAVA.
IBM commits to having the fastest JVM on the Intel platform and its Java
focus can be verified by the fact that it has invested $100M (originally
joined by 75 other corps, now over 250) in a venture capital fund to seed
Java startups.
The IBM Java team is helping customers get up to speed on Java and today
CERABANK of Belgium will announce the completion (in 90 days) of their
Mortgage package totally written in Java.
This kind of productivity is due to the move from a C++ type of headerfile
driven object to the better encapsulation of Java meaning that recompiles
are faster and that bug fixes tend to have no (or at least less) side
effects.
COST OF OWNERSHIP
The COO for a Win-PC in a large corp ranges $8k- $20k pa. OS/2 ranges
$5k-15k and the NC is expected to be much less.
Will the NC replace the PC? No - but it is a much lower cost item for the
seats where the user is just running a limited range of apps and has no
interest in or need for the extra facilities of a PC.
{I summarize some of his comments in this area to mean:- IBM expects that
corps will have a mix of NC and PC clients. Horses for courses approach and
that many/most apps will be Java. So if IBM wants to make $$ on each level
they must have products at each level. OS/2 provides the ideal OS for the PC
to connect to the net or the Net and run Java.}
PSP agrees that a W4 install is not exactly great and has already moved on
it to the point that they can do a "one button" install on new Thinkpads.
-----------------------------
I am attending another session tomorrow night
and if more info/rumour/?? comes my way of interest here I will post it.
regards..
Rod Whitworth AUSTRALIA
============================================================================
thank Rod - and I am glad you sent it all in a metric format... (;>
============================================================================
Solution Technology, Inc. 1101 South Rogers Circle Suite 14 Boca Raton,
FL 33487
Voice: 561-241-3210 Fax: 561-997-6518 E-mail: solution@gate.net Web Site:
http://www.gate.net/~stidev
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: February 21, 1997 Contact: Leon D. Zetekoff,
N.C.E. (solution@gate.net) 561-241-3210, Fax: 561-997-6518
Solution Technology to Extend TDF's Award Winning Image Edition for OS/2
Boca Raton, Florida Solution Technology (STi) has entered into a
cooperative cross development and marketing agreement with TDF Corporation
to enhance and market all OS/2 versions of TDF's Award Winning Image
Edition .
In close cooperation, Solution Technology is releasing full 1997 OS/2
upgrades of Personal Image Edition, Image Edition for Networks, and the new
Image Edition for Workgroups. Image Edition for OS/2 is being upgraded with
STi's automated fax server recapture facility, Barcode Anywhere for
auto-indexing with barcodes and patch codes, and integration with ImagePlus
and VisualInfo. In addition, STi's Genie forms processing system will be
able to automatically extract data from forms and file those images
directly into Image Edition.
"We now have an exciting combination of talented product developers. Our
cross development agreement insures that all versions of Image Edition will
maintain a close parity." said Kent Swan, President of Solution Technology.
"We believe that this is a good match with STi's knowledge of corporate
requirements, imaging, and image processing. In addition, we expect that
our interchanges of technology will help keep Image Edition in the
forefront of the marketplace."
All versions of Image Edition couple high performance scanning to a filing
cabinet, folder metaphor. Image Edition efficiently captures paper-based
documents, photographs, and digital video images and saves them many
different types of mass storage devices. The stored images and documents
can then be searched, retrieved, viewed, edited, annotated, printed or
faxed directly from the computer. Image Edition's primary benefit is that
all stored images and documents are completely cross indexed by user
defined text and key words. Image Edition's robust, easy to use, search
engine will quickly find and retrieve the documents you are looking for.
Image Edition for Networks lets you have both personal file cabinets and
access to secure, concurrently shared, LAN based file cabinets. Image
Edition for Networks CDROM replicator allows whole sections of any filing
cabinet data base to be easily copied onto a CDROM along with the indexes.
This allows for easy access for both archival and mobile use.
Image Edition for Networks is perfect for lawyers. A law firm needs to
purchase licenses for the number of people they want to have access to the
central files at the same time. In addition, lawyers can take their indexed
case files into court on a CDROM with their laptop instead of in boxes.
STi is a major manufacturer of production level OS/2 based image, barcode,
and forms processing products. In addition, it is a principal supplier of
accessory imaging support subsystems for IBM's ImagePlus and VisualInfo
product line.
Image Edition for OS/2 will run on any OS/2 version from 2.x and up and is
compatible with any TWAIN for OS/2 device drivers. Image Edition is also
compatible with a number of mass storage devices including large hard
disks, writable CDROM, optical disk, and WORM drives.
Image Edition is available through integrators and distributors such as IBM
Direct, J3 Computer Technologies, Indelible Blue, Simply Intelligent, House
of Technology, SBT Information Systems Pty Ltd, Blueware, Mensys, and other
fine OS/2 resellers.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: February 21, 1997 Contact: Leon D. Zetekoff, N.C.E.
(solution@gate.net) 561-241-3210, Fax: 561-997-6518
Solution Technology Releases A True TWAIN 1.6 for OS/2 System
Boca Raton, Florida Solution Technology, a developer of image recognition
and forms processing systems, has released its newest update of its TWAIN
for OS/2 32 bit image acquisition driver subsystem. The system components
include a Software Developers Kit (SDK), a multi-user TWAIN source manager,
a Device Driver Kit (DDK) and drivers for many different imaging devices,
cameras, and scanners.
Device drivers based on the new TWAIN for OS/2 DDK are faster and consume
less processor resources than any other driver system. The DDK allows you
to implement continuous, one shot and sheet feed image acquisition in black
and white, gray scale, and 8 bit palette to 24 bit true color.
The new driver DDK implements the TWAIN Release 1.6 Specification and is
designed to relieve the developer from worrying about specification
compliance. The developer needs only be concerned with the actual mechanics
of getting the images into memory. TWAIN for OS/2 DDK handles nearly
everything else.
"We used our experience with both high speed production scanners and color
scanners to create a driver system which generates drivers that work and
meet the TWAIN specifications. Our new DDK can handle any thing; hand
scanners, digital cameras, color separation drums, film scanners, or high
speed production scanners like the Kodak 500. We can scan any size image in
black and white, gray scale or full 24 bit color at full speed." said Mr.
Lawrence Packer, Vice President of Engineering for Solution Technology.
What about TWAIN for OS/2 applications? Solution Technology has developed
APPLAUSE , Genie Forms Processing, ReView , and a scanning plug-in to
ColorWorks a high-end 24 bit color imaging package. Solution Technology's
newest stable mate is the OS/2 version of Image Edition an Imaging Magazine
Product of the Year for 1996. Other TWAIN for OS/2 enabled applications
include PMView with more coming like Photo>Graphics, Star Office, and
Copyshop/2. The TWAIN for OS/2 SDK is available from STi, (which includes
full support, a driver pack, etc.) or you get the SDK (with basic support
only) off of any IBM Developers Connection CDROM starting with DEVCON
Volume 12 released at the end of 1996.
STi is currently updating their TWAIN for OS/2 drivers which include:
Hewlett-Packard, Epson, Microtek, Fujitsu, Mustek, Kodak, IBM, and Bell &
Howell SCSI scanners as well as the Logitech ScanMan 256 hand scanner. A
number of developers are using the new DDK to build additional device
drivers for devices like the Connectix Quickcam, Kodak DC40, Polaroid
SprintScan, Kodak RFS2035 Film Scanner, and Epson PhotoPC.
STi has cooperative development and distribution agreements with True
Spectra of North York, Ontario, Canada and other developers. All drivers
developed will be available from STi in the form of driver packs. TWAIN for
OS/2 Driver Packs are divided along the lines of Consumer Drivers, Medium
Speed Drivers, and High Speed Drivers and may contain one or more
installable drivers of that type.
TWAIN for OS/2 driver packs as well as TWAIN enabled products are available
from Solution Technology through distributors like J3 Computer
Technologies, Indelible Blue, Simply Intelligent, House of Technology, SBT
Information Systems Pty Ltd, Blueware, Mensys, and other fine OS/2
resellers.
==================================================================
"We create solutions..."
Leon D. Zetekoff, N.C.E. Voice: 561-241-3210 Product Manager FAX:
561-997-6518 Solution Technology E-mail: solution@gate.net, stiscan@ibm.net
1101 South Rogers Circle CompuServe: 70403,2773 Suite 14 Web Site:
http://www.gate.net/~stidev Boca Raton, FL 33487
==================================================================
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kirklin, Indiana, USA
AVAILABILITY OF C2 COMPLIANT TOOL FOR OS/2 ANNOUNCED
Pinnacle Technology, Inc., the world's leader in providing centralized
management and control of OS/2 desktops, today announced immediate
availability of Version 5 of The Desktop Observatory.
The latest version of this popular product, sometimes referred to as the
original "follow me" desktop, reflects a tremendous improvement in ease and
function over other previous offerings.
Improvements include:
* file level security/SES support
* new drag and drop interface for administration
* ability to link desktops with user's rights on the network
* dramatically smaller files for optimization over ANY network
* WARP 4 support
"This represents a new standard in centrally managing desktops and security
. . . a great result to many man-years of development and testing," said
Eric Osmann, Vice President of Development for Pinnacle. As a former
member of IBM's Workplace Shell Team, he should know!
Full evaluation copies are available via Pinnacle's web page at:
www.pinnacletech.com
Licensed versions can be acquired through your favorite OS/2 reseller or
through Pinnacle. The suggested price is $ 197 for a single license with
aggressive site/enterprise licenses available.
An upgrade price is naturally available for those who have purchased
earlier versions. Corporate customers who participate in Pinnacle's support
offering, have rights to Version 5 at no additional charge. "The support
offering has been great for our customers with a long term vision," said
Eric Henning, Vice President of Marketing for Pinnacle. "All release and
version upgrades, including those slated for NT/Windows 95 in the fourth
quarter are available at a low annual price."
Pinnacle Technology was founded in 1992 to provide centralized security for
multi-tasking environments. Its products include a wide range of
centralized desktop management and single sign-on tools. Earlier versions
of Pinnacle's PDF technology is offered via OEM providers such as Mergent
International and Uti-Maco in their Safeguard Desktop and Safeguard
Professional products.
/\ Eric Henning / \/\ VP of Marketing and Sales / \
<http://www.pinnacletech.com> / PINNACLE OS/2 Desktop Management & Security
/ Technology
=============================================================
*********** NEWS **************** NEWS *************** NEWS ************
Natick, MA, February 17, 1997 - Computer Interface Corp., announces Contact
Connection V2.0, the new price performance leader in native OS/2 Contact
Managers is NOW SHIPPING.
A FREE demo is also available on its web site
http://www.computerinterface.com
Contact Connection V2.0 has a list price of ONLY A$79.00.
Contact Connection V2.0 replaces Contact Connection V1.x. It provides better
integration and simplified linking of individuals to businesses, makes it
simpler to copy addresses to other applications and is Omnifile compatible.
"Contact Connection V2.0 is the ideal product for users that want total
control over their contact information" says John M. Bernard, Vice
President, Sales and Marketing. "It's high performance and low price make it
the best value for a native OS/2 Contact Management Application on the
market today".
Contact Connection V2.0 is a fully graphical native OS/2 application that
gives users total control over their contact information. Users can code
their contacts in an infinite number of ways and product pre-formatted
labels, lists, and form letters in an instant. Contact Connection V2.0
stores unlimited phone numbers, address and notes for any contact. Calling
list can be previewed on screen, or printed on paper, and with an installed
modem, calling contacts becomes a fully automated point and click operation.
Contact Connection V2.0 tracks activities associated with a contact such as
phone calls or letters, and it generates lists of action items that need to
be completed. Users can associate files such as letters or spreadsheets with
a contact and launch those files from within Contact Connection V2.0.
Contact Connection V2.0 is a powerful native OS/2 tool for professionals,
businesses and home users. Contact Connection V2.0 is also an Omnifile
compatible module. This means that when users need to add Personal
Information, or Database applications or networked capabilities, they simply
upgrade to Omnifile and all their contacts are compatible and immediately
available.
More product information and free demos are available on the CIC web site,
www.computerinterface.com.
Computer Interface Corp., is a leading developer of native OS/2 database,
financial management and contact management applications for business &
personal use.
========================================================================
Anyone who uses PRM with the optional Spellguard: if you install the Atlanta
PRM 2.15 update, you need to update Spellguard as well, both are on
Innoval's WWW.
=========================================================================
Voytek Eymont
SBT Information Systems Pty Ltd - Distributor of OS/2 software
fax 61-2 9310-1118 ph 61-2 9310-1214
http://www.ozemail.com.au/~sbt
sbtaus@ibm.net
Return to [ 11 | September | 1998 ]