True to its oft-spoken promises of bringing the functionality that its MPE-based software users enjoy to HP-UX customers – and to make the Unixalike look more attractive to potential users Hewlett-Packard Co has introduced HP OpenMFG, a Unix version of its Manufacturing Resource Planning II application for HP 9000 Series 800 systems. It offers manufacturing, financial and sales order management facilities for medium to large manufacturers, and based on SQL, it allows data to be accessed from other centres in the company. It is being offered in standard and source level formats. The standard version enables high-level changes to be made in the windowing and menus systems, the source level option means that most aspects of the program can be customised from the application source code. Prices go from UKP50,000 to UKP300,000 depending on CPU size, shipments start in the spring and French and German language versions are set to follow. At the same time, Hewlett has introduced HP Financial Management, a new financial module, together with other enhancements for HP Manufacturing Management II, an MRP II solution, on its proprietary MPE-based Series 3000 systems. HP Financial Management combines transaction processing with on-line management review facilities, profit and loss analysis and financial forecast modelling with a whole range of accounting features. Available now, HP FM starts at UKP40,000 going to UKP100,000 depending on system size – other language versions are to follow. The enhancements to HP MM II include new advanced materials and maintenance management facilities.
