Hewlett-Packard Co today extends its commitment to the Open Systems Interconnection standard with announcement of six new networking products in the message handling and factory automation arenas. HP OfficeConnect to X400 supports exchange of electronic mail on HP3000s with alien computer systems implementing X400, including DEC All-In-1 and Computer Consoles ICL Officepower. It costs UKP30,000 from the fourth quarter. X400 for NetDelivery enables users of the NetDelivery Application Program Interface to write applications that can share information with systems based on proprietary protocols such as TCP/IP. Available next year, it will cost from UKP2,300 on HP3000s. In the factory arena, HP MMS Manufacturing Message Service software enables HP9000 Unix machines to talk to both Manufacturing Automation Protocol-compatible devices and with other computers on the factory floor. HP FTAM File Transfer Access Method enables HP9000s access and transfer files on alien computers on the plant floor; it starts at UKP1,500. HP OSI Express MAP 3.0 is a board to interface Hewlett computers to the network with both broadband – UKP6,000, and carrierband – UKP7,000 cabling; prices include MMS software. And HP MAP 3.0 Protocol Analyser monitors IEEE 802.4 local net traffic on-line: it is integrated with the OpenView network manager. All the factory products are out in the fourth quarter, or the first half 1989.
