A Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey-based company called Qiiq Ltd, was one of the few exhibitors at the OS/2 Show (see opposite) to admit that system may well have some shortcomings. Managing director Alan King is especially critical of the lack of multi-user facilities and high cost of memory and disk capacities required to run OS/2. Consequently, the company has developed a new software package guaranteed to inflame the Unix-versus-OS/2 debate. Called Terminal Manager, it enables users to connect up to 16 terminals to a personal computer or PS/2 system. OS/2 text-based application programs may use other components of OS/2 such as Database Manager, LAN Server, Communications Manager, or Microsoft’s LAN Manager and SQL Server. Terminal Manager also supports COM1 to COM8 ports, and MS-DOS, KBD, and VIO application program calls. Qiiq plans to release a 32-terminal version within the next six months, and to integrate a fourth generation language tool designed to generate OS/2 terminal-based applications by the end of 1990. The three-man company was founded in November 1987 when development kits for OS/2 were made available, and King admits to some worrying moments at the prospect of IBM or Microsoft plugging the gap which Qiiq is attempting to bridge. However, he also believes that neither is willing to create competition for the AS/400, RT or Xenix. Qiiq is currently looking to establish a dealer network for Terminal Manager, and King would be interested in talking with companies that might want to badge the product and offer it as part of a complete package. Qiiq was originally established as a spin-off from Fanpour Computer Services which specialises in personal computer to Pick linking products, and it has a worldwide distribution agreement with McDonnell Douglas for its PickNet system, now badged and marketed as Real-Link. Apart from establishing a dealer network, King plans to build a sales and marketing arm, and is talking with a venture capital company about funds to facilitate expansion.
