IBM encourages users to cannibalise their CICS/Cobol applications for Unix with VIS/TP
Despite the fact that the company is reliably understood to be wasting shareholders’ and customers’ money by industriously reinventing the wheel by developing a version of CICS for its AIX Unix (someone has to pay for it), the company is really pushing Dallas, Texas-based VISystems Inc’s VIS/TP, which is none other than a CICS-compliant transaction processing system for Unix – and has announced the thing again. The VIS/TP Transaction Processing System is a family of interrelated products which provide a commercial transaction processing system for Unix and Aix and is now available for IBM’s RS/6000. It is designed to provide an environment for executing and controlling on-line and batch applications; developing, testing and maintaining applications in C or Cobol; migration of existing CICS/Cobol applications and VSAM data to Unix – yes IBM really is countenancing the possibility that users might really want to run all those expensive mainframe-based MVS Cobol applications on much cheaper Unix machines – and to provide remote access to data distributed on other Unix and AIX machines or data on the mainframe defined to CICS. It creates the environment to support CICS/Cobol/VSAM applications on Unix kit, including look alike operator screens to avoid costly retraining and provides the capability to network AIX, Systems Application Architecture and other Unix systems to meet the needs of distributed transaction processing. The company also offers the PS/2 and RT AIX versions of the product.
Open Systems Interconnection Messaging and Filing for the RS/6000 Unix machine
IBM has announced Advanced Interactive Executive OSI Messaging and Filing/6000 – AIX OSIMF/6000 for its implementation of Unix. This brings Open Systems Interconnection messaging and file transfer capabilities to the RS/6000, and enables it to conform to government OSI profiles – well IBM wouldn’t get any business with the public sector in many countries if it didn’t have it. AIX OSIMF/6000 also enables customers to transfer files and send messages between OSI and TCP/IP networks, giving users access to the new OSI functions and existing TCP/IP networks. Prices for the AIX OSI Messaging and Filing/6000 Program range from $2,500 to $12,000, depending on the size of the RS/6000. It will be available from December 14, 1990 – too late for tenders in the interim that specify currently-available products.
RS/6000 Resource Licence Manager 1.1 keeps track of usage of IBM’s CAD lines
IBM is organising site licences for computer aided design and manufacturing software for RS/6000s by releasing Resource Licence Manager. It provides a way to access selected AIX CAD/CAM/CAE programs installed in the RS/6000 Powerstation and Powerserver networks. Without Resource Licence Manager, these programs must process on a specific workstation. With Version 1, users are permitted to run programs in on any suitable workstation in the network. AIX RS/6000 programs that will operate with the Resource License Manager include Caeds, Catia, CBDS, IGES Processor, and Professional Cadam. It will be available from September 28, 1990.
Batelle’s Toolchest to be available for the RS/6000 as well as PS/2
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ToolChest, the computer integrated manufacturing system developed by the Battelle Memorial Institute and available under AIX on PS/2 models 70 and 80 (CI No 1,431), is now available on IBM’s new RS/6000 Unix machines. It is is said to meet manufacturing needs such as designing and machining contoured parts, molds, patterns and tooling, and provides Coordinate Measuring Machine inspection path programming. The family consists of Machining Tool, Draft Tool, Data Tool, Picture Tool, Link Tool, Inspection Tool, Starter Package, Advanced Package, and Total Package. There is one associative database for the computer aided design and manufacturing functions, and it includes surfacing tools and math flexi-bility to model surfaces. Toolchest accepts part data from other computer aided design systems, and suppo
rts ball, flat-end and bull-nose tools for up to 5-axis milling and swarf cutting. It also provides software for cutter location calculations.
Architecture & Engineering 1.1 graphics and rendering for AIX/PS/2
The Architecture & Engineering Series, developed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, is an integrated three-dimensional computer-ided design, engineering, and drafting system for building design. It consists of eight applications, and Graphics Application is a prerequisite. IBM says that the applications are being offered on PS/2 as an alternative to its discontinued Unix machine, the RT. They are designed for the single user, and data file formats are compatible between RT and PS/2 versions. IBM says that file management offers a straightforward approach to building design, whether by one or several architects, and cells within drawings can contain spreadsheet-like formula that allow automatic calculation and update of model geometry. An optional interfaced Ingres relational database connects graphics to text information, and the user interface includes pop-up menus, icons, multiple windows for graphics and text data, and a command language. Similar design elements can be duplicated and modified either within the same layer or in different layers, and designs can be viewed in plan, section, elevation or perspective. X Window product functions are part of the Architecture & Engineering Series; pop-up windows provide multiple concurrent building views and context-sensitive help text. The Developer’s Toolkit enables a user to generate help files and integrate them into command procedures. The PS/2 must be capable of running under AIX with 8Mb of memory, 120Mb of disk space, a mouse and maths co-processor, an 8514 graphics display, and an 8514A adaptor. The adaptor supports 16 or 256 colours if the memory expansion kit of the 8514 is installed. The Graphics Application will be available from July 27, and the Rendering Application from August 10.
