Data General Europe used the Amsterdam Eurocom 89 exhibition last week for the European launch of its Communications Server suite of communications soft-ware, initially running on its Eclipse MV hardware, with an AViiON Unix version set for early 1991. Launched in the US last month (CI No 1,311), the Cambridge, UK-developed Communications Server operates on either a single or multiple Local or Wide Area Network-based host system, and is claimed to offer transparent interoperability that is, completely seamless interchange – between any combination of X400-based, Comprehensive Electric Office, IBM SNA Distribution Services, telex and facsimile services, although the latter is at present limited to out-bound messages. X500-sourced directory information includes a number of word processing programs such as CEOwrite, Wordperfect and Displaywrite. A client application services interface connects Ethernet and Token Ring-based network-based personal computer users to allow local messaging, filing, inbox-outbox processing and access to the Communications Server’s archival filing services. The software package is conceptually part of Data General’s Distributed Applications Architecture strategy, the other half of which includes the long-delayed integrated PABX-CPU system worked on jointly with Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp (CI No 1,119) using Eclipse MV processors. Expected last July, it has since been restricted to Japan, apparently because of the nature of Data General’s relationship with the Japanese phone giant: it has recently been demonstrated at shows in Tokyo and is presently on sale there. The Communications Server, which is intended be complementary to that system, is however available 20 days after receipt of order, and is licensed at UKP112,000 for the the basic 500-message-per-hour version, rising to UKP731,000 for the large site version which is distributed on five separate Eclipse MV series minicomputers – as usual, these represent a considerable mark-up on the US prices, which range from $99,000 to $641,000.
