The Integrated Reasoning Shell for System/370 2.0 for better knowledge applications

The Integrated Reasoning Shell family for System/370 and AD/Cycle – the Integrated Reasoning Shell Builder/370 and AD/Cycle and Integrated Reasoning Shell Runtime/370 – are said to provide for the deployment of knowledge-based applications under System/370 VM or MVS. The knowledge-based applications are initially developed with family members under OS/2 or AIX for the RS/6000 before being transferred for execution to System 370-supported VM and MVS host environments, including IMS, CICS, TSO, and batch. The Integrated Reasoning Shell Release 2 has a new run-time subsystem architecture for MVS users which is designed to facilitate the management of performance, growth, application design, and application development. The new run-time subsystem architecture is designed to make the performance of Integrated Reasoning Shell run-time applications available for CICS and IMS environments. Also in Release 2, the product can be placed in a subsystem in a separate address space and can communicate with an IMS, CICS, TSO, or batch application program through cross-memory protocols, and may persist across multiple IMS program schedulings until terminated. When Integrated Reasoning Shell applications are put into address spaces that are separate from IMS and CICS, the IMS and CICS address spaces require less resource per transaction. This reduction in CICS and IMS subsystem resource load per transaction is valuable in periods of high transaction rate activity. The new run-time application programming interface is designed to enable a CICS, IMS, TSO or batch application to call a Reasoning Shell application directly, rather than first requiring a call to a PL/I program as in Release 1. This applications programming interface supports C/370, Cobol II, and Assembler languages. Release 2 offers MVS customers a new reporting capability which can be turned on via an operator command. The Integrated Reasoning Shell for System/370 Release 2 minimum system configuration consists of an ES/9000, or ES/3090, or 4300; 6Mb of virtual memory for VM; 4Mb of virtual memory for MVS; and 15Mb of disk space. The charges for pro-essor groups 10 to 80 go from $11,350 to $209,150, and distributed options are between $8,515 and $156,862. Monthly licences are from $270 to $4,355, and distributed licences are $202 to $3,266. Available on July 26.

Release 2 for AS/400 users

For AS/400 users, AS/400 server support provides the ability for the Integrated Reasoning Shell OS/2 applications to run cooperatively with the AS/400, said to offer a means to enhance AS/400 applications with workstation-based expert systems function. OS/2 2 offers several enhancements including debug and trace improvements, editing improvements, improvements in the edit-test-edit cycle, context-sensitive help, tutorials, and session management capabilities. The Shell is $7,800, additional licences are $7,500, Shell run-time is $780 and $750.

RS/6000 Release 1

The Integrated Reasoning Shell family members for AIX Version 3 for the RS/600 – AIX The Integrated Reasoning Shell Development/6000 and AIX The Integrated Reasoning Shell Runtime/6000 – are said to provide for the development and delivery of knowledge-based applications in a workstation environment under AIX Version 3 for RS/6000. Also, applications developed under AIX Version 3 can be delivered to OS/2 and System/370 VM and MVS environments, including CICS and IMS. TIRS provides a graphical development environment using a mouse-assisted, graphic interface in OS/2 and AIX for RS/6000 environments. The developer uses declarative processes to specify knowledge base objects such as rules, frames, and sources and an interactive debugging environment is provided to automate the process of relating errors to their sources. The required hardware for AIX Reasoning Shell includes an RS/6000 Model 320, a minimum of 16Mb system memory, 13Mb of fixed disk and appropriate graphics displays. Available June 28, the Reasoning Shell Development/6000 is $10,500

and the distributed systems licence option is $9,450. Runtime/6000 is $1,050, $945 under distributed option.

3090 Migration: ES/9000 860 Option

IBM is offering the ES/9000 Model 860 at a discounted migration price to users returning installed 3090 500J, 600S, or 600J systems. The offering is available to users with a 3090 installed by April 2, and to customers upgrading to a 500J or 600J processor by ordering an upgrade on or before August 30, and install on or after April 2, but no later than October 21. The 860 must be ordered on or before December 1, and installed by December 31.

AIX Viaduct for AS/400

IBM has announced the costs of AIX Viaduct for the new AS/400s, as well as support for OS/400 Version 2 and new 8mm tape media. The programming requirements for AS/400 Viaduct are OS/400 Version 1.2 or OS/400 Version 2.1, or modification levels. SQL/400 Version 1 Release 2 or SQL/400 Version 2 Release 1, releases or modification levels is also required. For the RS/6000, AIX Version 3 and AIX System Network Architecture Services/6000 are prerequisites. The RT needs AIX Version 2.2.1 with SNA Services. Available May 24, for processor group K6 the Viaduct costs $21,450 with a distributed systems licence option costs $18,880, and for L6, charges are $31,460 and $27,680 respectively.

973X Integrated Digital Network Exchange Delay

Several Integrated Digital Network Exchange enhancement features for the 9736, 9737, 9738, and 9739 machines were not after all available on March 29, 1991. They were originally announced by IBM in October last year. The QAVP Module Non-Redundant, 48V DC Power Supply, Non-Redundant 48V DC Power Supply, Redundant and 48V DC Power Supply, Redundant Upgrade will not now be out until December 27.

ISDN Basic Rate Interface Support for OS/2 Extended Edition Promise

IBM intends to provide ISDN basic rate communications support for OS/2 Extended Edition on IBM workstations with the ISDN Interface Coprocessor/2 Model 2 installed. Availability will depend on the company’s business and technical judgement.

AS/400 SystemXtra Withdrawal

IBM has withdrawn the AS/400 Discount Try and Buy Promotion, announced only on February 12.