Motorola’s Microcomputer Division in Tempe, Arizona has previewed a new line of Unix microcomputers aimed at the OEM market for technical systems. The VME Delta Series is based on the MC68020 microprocessor and VMEbus, and the machines are designed to complement Motorola’s existing board-level systems for the technical market, and their launch reflects forecasts that the industrial automation and real time market is growing at a compound 25%. The company plans models targeted at three specific niches – work group computers for fewer than 10 users and selling at $7,000 to $11,000 in OEM quantities; small departmental systems for up to 34 users, at from $14,000 to $25,000 in volume; large departmental systems for up to 96 users at from $18,000 to $55,000 in volume. The systems run Unix System V/68 release 3 with Remote File Sharing and support for the Manufacturing Automation and Technical Office Protocols and SNA. The VME Deltas will be upgradable to the 68030 when it arrives.
