IBM Corp’s Rochester division launched a repackaged, cut-priced AS/400 aimed at the small business market yesterday, with a price tag of just under $8,000. The Advanced Entry Model 150 runs the latest Version 3 Release 7 update of the OS/400 operating system announced last month (CI No 2,991) with built-in Web capabilities, the DB2 database and bundled-in software for decision support, fax, wireless LAN and printing. The system comes with from 32Mb to 96Mb memory and 4-16Gb DASD storage and PCI technology, fixed in a smaller form factor. Originally, the boxes were to be packaged as servers only, presuming PC or Network Computer clients, but twinaxial options were added to support fixed function IBM 5250 terminals. IBM was prompted into launching the new systems by seeing the success in Europe of low-end non-RISC AS/400s at similar prices, which were being offered by European distributors as loss-leaders. Software developers such as Marcam and JBA, who are interested in shifting users over from the System 36 and older AS/400s. An Intel co-processor option will be available in the new year. Also announced at Rochester were two new PC packages aimed at the same market, the PC Server 320 Server and 340 desktop, with a set of bund led applications such as NetWare 4.1 and Lotus Notes for the Server, and Lotus SmartSuite and a Home Page Creator for the desktop: IBM claims the set-up time for its PC-based server, supporting up to 100 clients, has been cut from a typical six hours down to one. IBM was hosting a gathering of its AS/400 Business Partners at Rochester, and presented the 400,000th AS/400 server it has shipped to three-time Tour de France cycle race winner Greg LeMond, who now owns the Bruegger’s Bagels chain of bagel shop s in the US: lucky there was a celebrity around just when the 400,000th box rolled off the production line, wasn’t it?
