Spectrum Concepts Inc of New York will start delivery in May of what it claims is the first off-the-shelf application to make use of IBM’s LU6.2 peer-to-peer communications protocol. XCOM6.2 performs the same basic file-transfer functions as IBM’s Remote Job Entry and Network Job Entry, can interface with an IBM 3270 cluster controller and, unlike IBM’s LU6.2 products, which only link to CICS, and also with the Network Control Program that runs on 37XX communications processors and is based on the VTAM Virtual Telecommunications Access Method. XCOM 6.2 applications can be invoked via a menu-based user interface or by other batch or interactive programs. Because of LU6.2’s device independence, the range of communications protocols it supports, and its consistent programming interfaces, the XCOM6.2 product family will run on machines and software other than IBM’s. Initially, XCOM6.2 will be offered for DEC VAX/VMS as well as IBM mainframes running under MVS, IBM System 38s and Personal Computers but by early 1988, it will also run on IBM mainframes under native VM and DOS/VSE, on System 36s, and on Wang Laboratories, Data General, Stratus Computer, and Tandem Computers machines. The PC-DOS version includes background processing software that takes care of communications functions while applications are running in the foreground. First-copy prices for XCOM6.2 are $9,500 for the IBM System/38 and DEC VAX 8000 family, $8,000 for the VAX-11/7XX series, $3,000 for the MicroVAX II and 2000, and $475 for the IBM Personal Computer version. Commercial release is scheduled for June, with the exception of XCOM6.2 MVS – at $26,000 – which will be released a month earlier, in May.
