NEC Corp is developing a 64-bit version of its Parallel Acos mainframe and claims it will perform three times faster than current 47-bit models when it ships at the end of next year. Conceptually equivalent to IBM’s S/390 Parallel Sysplex configuration, the new systems will go up against the 64-bit S/390s IBM also plans to make available by the end of next year.
Previous versions of NEC’s high-end mainframes including Acos-6 used a CMOS chip architecture co-developed with Group Bull SA derived from Bull’s DPS/GCOS mainframes but running NEC’s own Acos operating system. Low-end and mid-range Acos systems use NEC’s own chip design.
NEC is reported to be spending around $135m on developing new software for the system. NEC’s mainframe unit contributes around $1.35bn revenue or 10% of NEC’s computer systems business. Japanese rivals Hitachi Ltd and Fujitsu Ltd are expected to lag NEC in 64-bit mainframes as they build IBM-compatible systems.
