All major manufacturers of proprietary computers feel the need these days to promote their machines as servers in the client-server model, and Tandem Computers Inc this week announced new products and partnerships to enhance the client-server capabilities of its NonStop systems. Tandem also stated its commitment to deliver a product, based on SQL Access Group specifications, for open access to NonStop SQL servers by SQL client applications. New products include two database gateways designed to enable familiar workstation-based tools to be used to create applications and manage data using NonStop SQL: the Tandem SQL Server Gateway program is compatible with SQL Server protocols supported by Sybase Inc and Microsoft Corp; and the SQL*Connect gateway from Oracle Corp, which is also making SQL*Net networking software and its tools available for NonStop SQL. The Cupertino company has also formed an Application Development Solution Partners programme. Initial partners and available tools include Borland International Inc with Paradox SQL Link 1.1 and Paradox 3.5; Microsoft Corp with Excel 3.0; SQ Software Inc with SQR-Structured Query Report Writer; Neuron Data with Nexpert Object, and JYACC with JAM. Tandem also announced Remote Server Call based on technology from Cornerstone Software Inc, which provides an application programming interface between MS/DOS or OS/2 workstations and Pathway or other Tandem servers, enabling generation of applications that use the transaction processing and parallel processing capabilities of NonStop systems. Cornerstone will enhance the Remote Server Call to support other clients, including Apple Computer Inc Macintoshes and Sun Micro systems Inc workstations. For graphical user interface building, Tandem has gone to Caseworks Inc for its eponymous system that enables a user interface to be designed on the screen and then generates application code in C. Tandem will modify the software to use Remote Server Call and its Pathmaker software that automatically generates Path way applications for client-server applications. Oracle products are available from Oracle Corp and run on all NonStop systems under Guardian 90XL C30 and NonStop SQL Release 2. The SQL Server Gateway is from $190 a month or from $4,940 for a paid-up licence. Tools that use the SQL Server Gateway are available from their respective vendors. Remote Server Call from Tandem is from $190 a month or from $6,815 paid up for the host end, and from $65 or a paid-up $2,315 for the desktop end, regardless of the number of stations (in other words, pricing is entirely tied to the host size).
