ICL Plc and Microsoft Corp yesterday announced that they will work together long-term on systems integration. ICL will adopt Microsoft’s Windows Open Sevices Architecture and Application Programming Interface for its TeamWare portfolio of 500 software products. The TeamWare products were acquired with Nokia Data in 1991. They have an open client-server architecture and manage heterogeneous workstations, servers and host computers linked via a local area network. Microsoft’s MS Mail will be integrated with TeamOffice, ICL’s office information system for personal computer-based local area networks. ICL said it would use the as yet unannounced Windows NT and Windows for Workgroups, which will be available soon. ICL said that Microsoft products would strengthen its network offering in the office automation market while Microsoft is keen to share ICL’s system integration expertise and its customers in banking, retailing and government. The two companies said they will also work on a long-term systems management project.
