Seiko Epson Corp, its Epson Hanbai marketing and Digital Equipment Japan have now decided the details of the relationship that has been under discussion since February. The three companies have been discussing a co-operative effort in the personal computer integration and personal computer-local networking field, which will combine the DEC mini and networked computing experience, with Seiko Epsons’ personal computer and peripherals research and development expertise and Epson Hanbai’s sales channels. A new office is to be set up, based initially in Epson Hanbai’s premises, from which a range of networking products will be launched this month. Initially this will involve sales of the DECpc400 server series from DEC, under the names of both companies. Later products developed in the joint venture will also be released. One of the first will be a Japanese-language version of Unix System V.4 for personal computers, which will hit the market before the end of this year. Novell Inc’s NetWare will also be offered. A diverse range of client machines will also be released – including products based on the NEC Corp PC-9800 architecture such as the Epson personal computer series – Epson offers the only NEC-compatible machine in Japan, of which over 1m have been sold – as well as the DECpc325sxLP personal computer from DEC Japan, which will run DOS/V. Peripherals and local area network-related products will come from both sides. A sales and support office is being set up to cater for all types of customer enquiries on personal computer integration. The project is to employ 50 people to start with and has a first year target of some $35m or so in sales.
