Hoping to get its new 5086 Graphics System off to a good start, and to clear out all its remaining 4381s ahead of the 4391 launch, IBM is making a special offer to CAD/CAM users in the US that many people may find it very hard to refuse despite the attenuated active life expected for the 4381; it’s also likely to hurt the likes of Prime Computer Inc. The offer covers a 4381 bought with four to 64 5080 Graphics Systems and a one-time licence to one or more of IBM’s premier computer-aided design programs – its own CAEDS, Dassault Systemes’ Catia, Northern Telecom Inc’s CBDS, and Graphics Program Generator, GPG. The discount is on the complete hardware-software system, and applies to the prices ruling at the time of installation. Users will have to order by September 30 1989 for installation by December 31 – and those who have received such a system that is not already installed will also get the discount. All the remaining current 4381s – 21, 22, 90E, 91E and 92E – are included, and the discount on the 5080s is limited to the number supported by the version of the CAD/CAM program taken. The discounts are 30% on the processor, 30% on one or two consoles, 10% on 3990 controllers, 15% on all 3380 disks up to a combined total of four drives and controllers, 15% on all 3480 and 3430 tape drives models, with the discount on a maximum of two drives, and 30% off up to eight 4224, up to two 3262 and up to two 6262 printers. At least one 5080 Graphics System consisting of one 5088 channel controller, four 5086 Graphics Processors, four 5081 colour displays and four 5083 tablets, must be ordered, and up to four 5088s and 64 of the other items will carry the 30% discount, which also applies on up to six 6186 colour plotters and six 5087 Multicolour screen printers. Also discounted 30% are VM/IS, VM/SP ISPF, ISPF/PDF, Graphic Access Method, VS Fortran 2 and Fortran Library 2, VM Batch Facility, IPF 2, RSCS 2, VM/Passthru, VS/Pascal and ISPC. The CAD/CAM applications bear a 15% discount.
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