4680 Operating System Version 4 adds 3270 Emulation, Programming Interface

4680 Operating System Version 4 provides several systems with the same multitasking support and multiuser environment as 4680 Operating System Version 3. This support enables users to run applications, manage system services, and define the system configuration, as provided in Version 3. The systems include some PS/2 models, the 5170 Personal Computer AT/Store Controller, the 4683 Point-of-Sale Terminal Models 001, A01, P11, P21, and P41, and the 4684 Point of Sale Terminal. The 4684 can be used as a single controller terminal, as a controller terminal with the 4683 Model 002 or A02 attached, or as a controller terminal with one or more 4683-XX1s attached. The 3270 Emulation and 3270 Application Programming Interface is now available on Version 4. With new terms and conditions, the Version 4 licence is based upon the number of point-of-sale terminals supported in a store system. Version 1 and Version 2 users can upgrade to Version 4 for an upgrade charge; Version 3 users can upgrade to Version 4, at no charge. Available September 27, a base operating system is either $2,200, $3,050 and $4,150, while additional licences are $2,000, $2,750 or $3,750. The multiple controller feature is $975 and additional licences are $880. The remote operator feature is $550 and the messages guide costs $660. Upgrade prices start at $1,700 and rise to $2,500, and additional upgrade licences cost from $1,500 to $2,100.

Retail Industry Programming Support Services Version 4

Retail Industry Programming Support Services Version 4 provides software support for small store retail systems. It is based on 4684 or PS/2 hardware, and IBM says that Version 4 extends communications facilities to include full-duplex logical unit support to the AS/400 and System/370, and LU0 support to the RS/6000. Also, it can connect to an in-store processor, running under OS/2 Extended and Retail Industry Programming Support Services/2, which can be used as a gateway machine to a host. It provides auto-dial and auto-answer asynchronous communications and a base for Electronic Funds Transfer. More of the system can be relocated in Expanded Memory Specification in order to release base memory for use by application programs. Available September 27, a base program package costs $216, a host communication package is $251, and a host management package is $320. Additional licences, in the same order, are $131, $174 and $240.

4684 Point-of-Sale Models 200, 300

The new Models 200 and 300 of the 4684 Point-of-Sale Terminal are user-programmable terminals for the 4680 Store System. Both process point-of-sale transactions, data collection, credit authorisation, price look-up, and other inquiry and data-entry functions. They support the 4680 Store Loop, 6157 Tape Drive Adaptor, Realtime Interface Co-Processor/2, Token-Ring Network Adaptor, the 300/1200/2400 PS/2 Internal Modem/A, and the 8504 Monochrome Display. Also, both models support 40Mb, 80Mb, and 160Mb fixed-disk drives. They can expand memory with interposer cards and feature-card options up to a maximum of 15Mb. Model 200 is available July 26, and Model 300 ships on September 27, and they cost 43,400 and $3,850. A 40Mb disk is $600, 80Mb is $1,100, a 160Mb disk is $2,000.

4684 Remote Operator/DOS

The 4684 Remote Operator/DOS enables a personal computer, located in a central site, to connect via different communication protocols, to a remote store equipped with one or more MS-DOS-based 4684 Store Systems. The operator can monitor and control the 4684 Store Systems and any attached system devices. Available September 27, the Program Package costs $500, and additional licences go for $455.

Financial Branch System Services Version 3, Services 2 Version 1.1

IBM says that Financial Branch System Services Version 3 provides the PS/2 and personal computers under MS-DOS with client-server, resource sharing, and distributed processing capabilities in a local area network environment. It enables mixed networks running FBSS/2 Version 1.1 to be

implemented, and IBM says that Version 3 provides additional machine support, functional and performance enhancements for communications, the system manager, electronic journal, and shared file servers. Available from September 27, in a complete package it costs $515, additional licences are $343, and an upgrade package costs $129.

Programmable Network Access Package, Toolkit and Documentation Version 1.11

The Programmable Network Access Program Package, Toolkit and Documentation Version 1.11 will be available from June 28, 1991. The new version brings X25 packet-switching communications and X3/X28/X29 functions to those already available with Version 1.10. Also, there is support of the Portmaster/A Adaptor Card and additional PS/2 support of link speed up to 64Kbps and an increase of the maximum frame size on SDLC links; some 4700-Series controllers not including Threshold Analysis and Remote Access related functions are supported, as is a subset of Link Problem Determination Aid-2 on SDLC downstream links, and dual target selection with the 3270 Emulation function. Available on June 28, a Network Access package is $2,285, additional licences are $2,170, a tool kit is $1,715.

Financial Branch System Services/2 Version 1.1

Financial Branch System Services/2 Version 1.1 is enhanced to provide a MS-DOS box tool which enables an Financial Branch System MS-DOS-application to run in the OS/2 Extended MS-DOS compatibility box. FBSS/2 also provides a new shared file server, and supports multiple FBSS/2 applications running in a single OS/2 workstation that is connected in a mixed environment. Version 1.1 is available September 27 this year, a program package costs $500, while additional licences cost $330.