Philips NV has brought out a personal computer-based version of its Megadoc optical storage and retrieval system. The Megadoc 10 can be networked but will be offered mainly as a stand-alone system. Unlike the Megadoc 100, the Megadoc 10 runs under MS-DOS, and conforms to Unix System V.4 and Posix, enabling users to integrate existing software and add other applications more easily. Networking capabilites have also been improved. The original Megadoc is made up of customised workstations, or personal computers, directly connected to a central server or mainframe, whereas the Megadoc 10s can be connected to file servers via a network. A stand-alone Megadoc 10 starts at $25,000. Philips says it has got 200 Megadocs away so far.
