Soft Switch Inc, Wayne, Pennsylvania has unveiled a 400-Link family of four systems to connect IBM-based electronic mail systems with X400 networks. The four are 400-Link/Profs, 400-Link/DisOSS, 400-Link/SYSM, and 400-Link/Memo, each available in two models and able to support a multiple-host network. Features include the ability to connect to multiple public mail carriers simultaneously, a four-level access control system, automatic registration of new users into the 400 Link directory, and system logging and analysis tools. The entry level Model-10 is based on an Intel 80386SX processor with 4Mb memory, two Motorola 68000-based input-output processors, and a 40 Mb disk. One input-output procesor connects to an IBM host via SNA LU6.2, and the other to an X400 network via X25, but the thing needs 400-Link software on the SNA-connected host as well as on the communications processor. The Model-20 replaces the main CPU with a 25MHz 80386 and has a 332Mb disk plus the same two input-output processors. The Model-10 is $35,000 including all software, the Model-20, $65,000. Profs and DisOSS are of course IBM’s main mainframe office automation packages, Memo comes from Verimation Corp, SYSM from H&W Systems. In the US, Soft Switch is offering a six-month pilot programme for the Model-20 under which it will install one at a customer’s site, provide trai ning and six months of use for $4,600 a month, part of which acc rues as purchase credits unless the customer decides to send the thing back to Soft Switch. The 400-Links are to be launched in the UK today.
