[3630] in comp.os.os2.announce archive
PR: IBM Ships WorkSpace On-Demand Software
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Timothy Sipples)
Sat Dec 6 12:17:18 1997
To: os2ann.DISCUSS@bloom-picayune.MIT.EDU
Date: 05 Dec 1997 23:01:00 -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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Allows Enterprise Customers to Implement Network Computing Technologies While
Maintaining Existing Applications and Reducing Administration Costs
AUSTIN, Texas, November 24, 1997...IBM* today announced the general
availability of WorkSpace On-Demand,* its Intel-based network operating
system designed for network computing and managed PC's. WorkSpace On-Demand
is 100% Pure Java** compliant and is the newest member of IBM's eNetwork*
Software family that will help customers move from a traditional
client/server environment to network computing.
"WorkSpace On Demand allows enterprise customers to take advantage of
cutting-edge network computing technologies, such as Java, without having to
sacrifice their previous software and hardware investments," said Donn
Atkins, general manager, OS/2 business unit, IBM. "With the delivery of
WorkSpace On Demand, we are offering our customers another e-business
solution from IBM that builds upon their current investment while helping
streamline the management of their enterprise -- today."
WorkSpace On Demand consists of two components: a client operating
environment and a set of server-side utilities to manage that environment.
Both components reside on top of OS/2 Warp Server* and allow client systems
to boot -- or start up -- off of the server and access applications and user
data anywhere on the network. WorkSpace On Demand is the only product on the
market which offers a server managed client environment that supports OS/2*,
DOS and Windows 3.x applications on 486 or better hardware. It allows
customers to immediately begin using the emerging network computing
technologies of tomorrow while at the same time providing the capability to
leverage their existing investments in applications and hardware. This helps
protect the CIO's buying decision and makes WorkSpace On Demand a safe
investment on the road to network computing.
WorkSpace On Demand permits the consolidation of applications and data on the
server, which reduces complexity and overall costs by allowing IS managers
and system administrators to more easily manage user applications and data,
fulfilling one of the promises of network computing. WorkSpace On Demand
provides the ability to add applications or make changes to client systems at
the server rather than at multiple client machines. When a change is made at
the server, the system administrator simply makes the update available to the
designated client systems. The end user at the client machine then refreshes
his or her screen to receive the update. If the update is a new application,
an icon may appear on the user's desktop as soon as the screen is refreshed.
Additionally, WorkSpace On Demand utilizes existing system management tools
in OS/2 Warp Server to back-up and restore user data at the server.
The product provides a customizable front-end interface that can be tailored
to meet the needs of specific types of users. Depending on the user's job
and responsibilities, the interface for a WorkSpace On Demand client may be
any of a number of things, such as a simple graphical shell, a single
task-specific application, the Lotus eSuite* desktop, or the Netscape
Navigator browser interface with a customized applications menu.
WorkSpace On Demand includes the Java Virtual Machine built directly into the
operating system, which allows users to run the increasing number of 100%
Pure Java applets and applications designed for business-specific uses. In
addition, WorkSpace On Demand supports native OS/2 applications, as well as
Windows 3.x and DOS applications, and provides access to 3270 and 5250 host
mainframe systems. Users can also access 32-bit Microsoft Windows 95** and
Windows NT** applications via the Citrix WinFrame server.
Early Customer Testing
Fiducia, an IT operations manager and software developer in Germany,
currently maintains 6,000 OS/2 servers and 30,000 OS/2 clients for its 450
banking customers. During a preliminary test of WorkSpace On Demand, Fiducia
favored its security and client support benefits. If implemented, WorkSpace
will provide Fiducia with an efficient IT infrastructure, and low customer
support costs.
Silicon Space, a consulting firm in southern California, expects WorkSpace On
Demand to comprise a significant part of its business. The low cost of
ownership and manageability are appealing to the Fortune 500 companies they
serve, many of which are looking to start moving to network computing.
Silicon Space is currently working with a customer that is evaluating
rolling-out WorkSpace On Demand to nearly 2,000 clients in 50 locations.
Silicon Space is a Lotus Business Partner and an IBM BESTeam member.
Volt Information Sciences, an IBM business partner and BESTeam member, is a
$1.1 billion corporation that specializes in human resources contingent
staffing, telecommunication & information solutions, and pre-press publishing
systems & services. IBM's WorkSpace On-Demand is an important product for
Volt's customers due to its "ability to enable more application and system
resources access to the desktop, cut down on the cost-of-ownership and
improve the technical support to users," according to Dale McCallon, vice
president, Advanced Technologies, R&D at Volt.
WorkSpace On Demand Availability and Pricing
Customers can obtain WorkSpace On Demand through IBM Business Partners and
the IBM Direct sales force. Special upgrade pricing is available from IBM
for customers using previous versions of IBM's OS/2 operating system.
Upgrade Protection Options are also available from IBM. The WorkSpace On
Demand product includes the server administration and management utilities,
the WorkSpace On Demand client code, and one client access feature for a
recommended dealer price of $729 per shrink-wrap copy. Additional server
licenses have a recommended dealer price of $699 and additional client access
features for $249.
IBM eNetwork Software and On-Demand Networking
WorkSpace On Demand is part of IBM's eNetwork Software family of networking
communications products that provide enterprise-class universal connectivity
and information access for cost-effective network computing. The On Demand
initiative is focused on offering customers a communications platform that
provides services for server-based components that are dynamically downloaded
when needed by clients. These services include centralized administration,
delivery and network optimization across multiple platforms. The result is
low cost software management and support and effective application
performance across the network. WorkSpace On Demand and IBM Host On-Demand*,
a Java-based emulator for Web access to host applications, are the first
steps in this direction.
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 www.software.ibm.com .
*IBM, WorkSpace On Demand, eNetwork, OS/2 and Host On Demand are trademarks
or registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corp.
Lotus eSuite is a trademark of Lotus Development Corporation.
**Java and 100% Pure Java are trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. All other
product and service names may be trademarks and/or service marks of their
respective owners.
IBM press releases issued in the United States can be found at
www.ibm.com/news/uspress.html .
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