[3613] in comp.os.os2.announce archive
PR: OS/2, Lotus Notes become OA standard of China's Ministry of Electronic Industry
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Timothy Sipples)
Sat Nov 29 18:58:09 1997
To: os2ann.DISCUSS@bloom-picayune.MIT.EDU
Date: 29 Nov 1997 18:02:00 -0400
From: tsipple@us.ibm.com (Timothy Sipples)
Reply-To: tsipple@us.ibm.com (Timothy Sipples)
Reply-to: tsipple@us.ibm.com (Timothy Sipples)
[Followups directed to comp.os.os2.misc]
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OS/2 Warp and Lotus Domino technologies continue to make strides in
China. Here's the latest news...
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Ministry of Electronic Industry, IBM and Great Wall Computer Software &
Systems Inc. Launch Office Automation System
BEIJING, China, 6th November, 1997 -- The Ministry of Electronic Industry
(MEI) and IBM have announced that, together with Great Wall Software &
Systems Inc., they have successfully developed and implemented an IBM OS/2
and Lotus Notes based office automation (OA) system for the Ministry. To
facilitate software developers and users in China to use IBM's advanced
technology, MEI has formed two committees to develop the national Chinese
Application Program Interface (API) standards for the Notes and OS/2 software
platforms.
The move is part of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) which MEI signed with
IBM in 1995 to co-operate in software. Using IBM and Lotus software products
to develop OA applications is one of the major items of the MOU. The OA
system is the result of the joint efforts of the MEI, IBM and the Great Wall
company.
The integrated system includes modules for public information, backgrounder,
personnel files, e-mail, document registry, document approval and meeting
management. It uses IBM's DB2 Universal Database for database management,
and IBM RS/6000 as the central server. More than 38 trade
information/statistics and discussion databases are available in the system
now, and more are being added. The OA system is connected to the Golden
Bridge network and its data is made available to the local industry through
this network.
The deployment of the system is expected to substantially improve workflow
and process in MEI's offices. Starting now and working through 1998, MEI
will roll out the system in more than 100 MEI organizations and affiliates
across the country.
This system will serve as the OA model for other government ministries. In
addition, Great Wall is joining hands with IBM and Lotus to market an OA
package developed out of the MEI OA system to other companies in China.
At the same time, MEI has set up a Lotus Notes Working Group and an OS/2
Working Group under its Chinese Platform Commission to standardize the
Chinese API for the two software platforms, so as to ensure efficient Chinese
language application development and compatibility. Members of the Working
Groups include those from MEI's Standardization Research Institute, Great
Wall Computer Group Corp, Stone Richsight Co Ltd, Software Institute of
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing Information Engineering Institute and
State Cereals and Oils Administration. Upon acceptance of the standards,
China's software developers will be able to develop their applications more
effectively allowing them to bring products to market faster.
Announcing the move at the China Information Technology Conference (CITC) the
director general of MEI's Computer Division, Zhang Qi, said: "In today's
world where information technology is developing rapidly and networks like
the Internet are widely used, it is imperative for the various levels of
government, enterprises and institutions in China to increase office
automation as soon as possible or they would risk falling further behind
global trends. Office automation is a key part of the country's
infrastructure development.
The successful launch of the OA system for the Ministry of Electronic
Industry will not only improve the way the ministry is managed, but also set
a model to demonstrate to other industry and government organizations how the
OA system can be used."
"IBM has been a long-term partner of China, committed to playing a major role
in contributing to China's modernization through bringing its advanced
technologies, solutions and experience to China," said Michael Colleary,
director of emerging markets, IBM Software Asia Pacific.
"The OA system is a basic platform on which an organization can construct its
complete, sophisticated and networked information infrastructure. The
launching of the OA system will have far-reaching impact on the automation of
the Chinese government. We are proud to be a part of the MEI OA project."
IBM's OS/2 operating system and Lotus Notes, developed to address the
requirements in the networked world, have become more and more popular among
customers worldwide. In China, according to Colleary, Lotus Notes has been
installed in banks, insurance companies, the Ministry of Posts and
Telecommunications, the Ministry of Petroleum, the Ministry of Labour, the
Ministry of Chemical Industry, provincial and city governments, the China
National Chemical Corp and the China National Cereals and Oils Corp.
"This is a milestone announcement not only for IBM, but also the Chinese
software industry. MEI should be applauded for its leadership and
initiatives to make the OA system a reality," added Colleary.
About IBM Software
IBM, the world's largest software provider, creates, develops and
manufactures some of the industry's most advanced information technologies,
including computer systems, software, networking systems, storage devices and
microelectronics. IBM offers information about the company, its products,
services and technology through the World Wide Web. The fastest and easiest
way to get information about IBM software is to go to the IBM Software home
page at http://www.software.ibm.com.
* IBM, OS/2, DB2, RS/6000 are trademarks or registered trademarks of
International Business Machines Corp.
** Lotus Notes is the trademark of IBM's subsidiary Lotus Development.
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