IBM Corp has formed a working relationship with the Santa Cruz Operation Inc to promote Network Computers to the retail industry. The deal extends the agreement signed back in June, when SCO agreed to support IBM Corp’s Network Station Manager and client boot software as part of its OpenServer and UnixWare operating systems (CI No 3,437). IBM says retailers have the most to gain from the Network Computer model, who need relatively basic services at the client end, and need a faster and easier way of deploying applications across vast networks than is possible with PC-based software. SCO has an existing strong base of retail customers. Supporters of the initiative include Jacksonville, Florida-based point of sale equipment supplier ACR Systems Inc, Austin, Texas-based consultants Cornerstone Integrated Services, and UK point of sale systems house Datafit.Ltd.
