Kirkland, Washington-headquartered Wall Data Inc has announced Version 2.0 of Rumba Office, its software communications package first launched two years ago (CI No 2,289). This version features enhancements spanning four broad categories: product-wide features, new TCP/IP capabilities, additions to the mainframe communications component, and improved functionality in its AS/400 communications component, says the company. New product-wide features include a common EHLLAPI interface to all hosts, including Rumba for Unix and Rumba for Hewlett-Packard Windows95-style User Interface enhancements, including a configurable tool bar, user-alterable menus and a Microsoft Viewer-like system help manager; mail integration, including the capability to move multi-screen host data into a Microsoft Mail or Lotus cc:Mail message through a simple menu selection; and new context-sensitive help, giving users immediate access to help text for any part of the program through pop-up help windows. The new TCP/IP capabilities are said to include a 32-bit Windows Sockets-compliant TCP/IP stack which provides a 32-bit architecture for compatibility with Windows, Windows for Workgroups, and Windows95, Wall Data asserts.

Quick Assist

There is also a suite of TCP/IP applications, such as Rumba File Manager and a dialler for remote access using the Serial Line Internet Protocol and Point-to-Point Protocol. For mainframe communications, the new version is said to support Novell Inc NetWare for SAA Version 2.0; File Transfer Compression FTX to increase mainframe-to-desktop file transfer speed; and Quick Assist, claimed to eliminate repetitive keystrokes by anticipating and entering information in user entry screens based on previous input. Finally, the AS/400 communications enhancements include integrated Rumba for Database Access, which is said to provide users with direct access to IBM AS/400 data without the need for database gateways, host code or special programming; and AS/400 report writing, which apparently allows users to generate AS/400 database reports, using Crystal Reports for Rumba in conjunction with Rumba for Database Access. Finally, the new version is also said to enable users to designate AS/400 drives as network drives in Windows File Manager, says the company, enabling them to copy, store and access information on an AS/400 as if on a network drive. Rumba Office Version 2.0 is due to ship any day and the licence for it will cost $500.