Early 1989 should see Ing C Olivetti SpA stepping up its software efforts for the new LSX line of supermicros with the launch of products with a greater Olivetti-developed content such as shells for integrating off-the-shelf packages with Olivetti software, to differentiate and add value to the new line. British Olivetti, which reckons there are already some 100 third party products for the LSX range – based on the Motorola 68000 family plus the Edge Computer processor at the top end, is also in the process of setting up a separate indirect sales arm for the systems which is likely to focus on collaborations with software and systems houses selling into a limited number of vertical markets; it has already worked with software houses specialising in the manufacturing market to produce enhanced versions of packages for the LSX line. To date, Olivetti has sold the LSX line direct only and not surprisingly has not pushed it through the resellers that are currently offering AT&T’s effectively competing 3B Unix line; eventually, however, some resellers are likely to end up selling both product ranges. Latest third party software agreement is the inevitable addition of Uniplex Ltd’s de facto standard business software; office software is an example of an area where Olivetti plans to surround third party products with an Olivetti-developed framework.
