Struggling Arix Corp, which last week reported losses of $4m on sales that crashed 75% (CI No 1,604), has something to cheer about at last – and something that should help to keep it out of bankruptcy court, somewhat wry since the customer is the US Courts – Circuit, District and Bankruptcy. Prime contractor is IBM’s Federal Sector Division in Manassas, and the contract is worth an initial $25m over five years but could grow to $233m over nine years if all options are taken up. The requirement is for a US-wide data network with easy-to-use menu-driven user interface for exchange of files and electronic mail. The network may grow to some 2,000 small and 150 large local nets, and 14 electronic mail nodes interconnected via the FTS2000 government net. IBM will supply PS/2s running AIX; the other partner on the contract is Computer Sciences Corp’s Network Systems Division.
