As anticipated, IBM Corp has launched its new entry level AS/400, the 9402-D02. But perhaps more interesting than the new model is the Plug ‘N’ Go offering. Call it shrinkwrapping or turnkey, but IBM will provide a customised package offering that includes hardware, preloaded software, a ready-to-use application and single order number. It’s initially for the D02 only, but IBM says that it wants to extend Plug ‘N’ Go to the 9404 and 9406. To date, there are 100 business partners worldwide while the US has 12 with 17 applications. The US is targeting a number of vertical markets, including health, public sector, finance, construction, media and retail. Plug ‘N’ Go will be supported by either IBM or its business partners. There is 90-day satisfaction guarantee as well as a a discounted package price that will range between 5% and 20% in the US. IBM UK will not be announcing Plug ‘N’ Go applications until January. The D02 is a fully functional system but described as an AS/400 on a card, a base configuration includes 8Mb of memory, 800Mb of disk storage, a 120Mb quarter inch tape with 14 twinax ports and one of six ASCII workstations. A fully featured system has 16Mb memory, 1.2Gb of disk storage, 14 twinax and one of 12 ASCII workstations, three communication lines and a 525Mb quarter inch tape. Also included is a 16/4Mbps Token Ring or Ethernet local area network adaptor with an optional workstation adaptor and optional battery back-up. IBM says that it offers a performance improvement of 18% over the 9402-C04 for 26% less cost. A total system costs UKP10,246, and that includes the 6143 workstation attachment, OS/400, the 8503-002 monochrome display, 4207-002 Proprinter X24E and 5612 cable. The same system is $12,000 in the US. IBM claims that it is an attractive upgrade for System 36-Y10 users, offering a minimum 36% better performance, up to 80% in native mode, but costing $1,000 less. Also announced and available September 20 is OS/400 2.1 enhancements. These include a new command for load and execute of programs, support for DDS windows and all 2.1 updates. Knowledge/400, a knowledge and rule-based system, is now a licensed program offering, and Version 2.1 will be available November 8, with R 1.1 shipping from March 27, 1992. Windowtool/400, also a licensed program, gives a PS/2 look to applications and develops front-end application window interfaces. These include action bar, pull-down windows, pop-up menu windows, dialogue windows, a help window, command line and error-handling window. Release 1 is available December 6, and Release 1.1 ships on March 27. No availability dates, but the company issued statements of direction promising eventual compliance with Posix, and CICS/400 – some day.
