Hewlett-Packard Co will next week introduce Information Access Cullinet Link, a program that enables personal computer users attached to an HP3000 business computer to retrieve data from an IBM mainframe running Cullinet Inc’s Information Center Management System – and claims that the product will make it the first major computer vendor to offer a consistent user interface for information retrieval from personalike, minicomputer and mainframe databases. The system enables managers to retain control over the data available to personal computer users, and to maintain high-level security. The menu-driven program, an extension to HP Information Access, provides access to databases supported by Cullinet’s Information Center Management System and to IBM VSAM files. Data retrieved from a mainframe, HP3000 or micro can be downloaded into applications such as Lotus 1-2-3, dBase II, R:Base 5000 or the built-in report writer. HP Information access is also enhanced with upload capabilities, batch processing and X25 communications. Personal users can upload their data to an HP3000 or IBM mainframe for workgroup- or corporate-database consolidation with automatic conversion to the appropriate format. Information Access Cullinet Link ranges from $9,500 for the HP Micro 3000 and Micro 3000XE up to $29,500 for the HP3000 Series 68 or 70. First ships are set for late summer 1987. The HP Information Access software with a 10-user licence ranges from $5,900 for the babies up to $18,400 on the 3000 68 or 70. The enhanced version is out on June 1.
