IBM Corp, whose network computer efforts so far have been a sprawling mess, has finally settled on a strategy by signing up Network Computing Devices Inc (NCD) to co-develop the machines. The non-exclusive deal, announced last Thursday night, allows IBM to walk away from it at any stage. IBM will resell the systems subject to successful completion of the development effort, including the satisfaction of certain design and manufacturing requirements and continues that IBM may purchase a substantial amount of the products in 1997 and 1998 although it will be under no obligation to. Meanwhile Mountain View, California-based NCD says it will look for other manufacturers to resell the machines at the same time. Development will be based on work by the AS/400 division, although IBM is keen to drop the name AS/400 from the device as it will conform to the broad Network Computer Reference Profile standards (CI No 2,921) and support all server platforms – including non-IBM platforms – and run Windows applications. IBM’s PC Company was dabbling in network computer design as well, but IBM is now uniting behind this single design. IBM is funding less than 50% of the development and both claim to be taking the lead in the development. NCD says the terminal will be based on its $1,000 Explora machine that serves as an NT application server for Unix environments that supports protocols for X and the Internet and runs on a PowerPC 403 with 4Mb of RAM, according to our sister publication Client Server News. But IBM has an incredible wish list of features to add on top of Explora, according to Rudy Morin, NCD’s executive VP for operations and finance. The companies coined yet another network computer-ey phrase to describe the computer, calling it a network application terminal. NCD was forced to reveal the deal last week due to Federal Trade Commission rules because its revenues will be substantially affected by the agreement.
