UK user interface specialist Visionware Ltd of Leeds is preparing to launch Version 6 of its PC-Connect product, which uses Microsoft Windows running on a personal computer as the user interface for the host Unix system. Visionware is well pleased with the increased viability that Microsoft Windows 3.0 has given to its product line – the new memory management unit supporting up to 16Mb memory both improves performance and enables applications to be kept open and accessible. The new version includes increased communications options for non-Unix hosts, simpler configuration, more terminal emulation options and a new communications mechanism. Unix Executive and Notepad applications will also be bundled in with the new release. Using the SoftBridge control language and Dynamic Data Exchange facilities, users will be able to access both Windows and non-Windows applications such as Lotus and WordPerfect. Visionware has already signed up ICL, Apricot and Research Machines to bundle the product, and in June sold a licence to the source code of PC-Connect and PC XVision to NCR Corp. Also in September, Visionware is unbundling the MS-DOS end of the PC-Connect product from the host software, selling it as a low-cost PC Connect Junior product, which acts as a terminal emulator for personal computers rather than a full-blown graphical representation.
