Bull Lowers Cost of Entry to Enterprise Computing; Introduces Entry-Level 333MHz Version of Escala PL 220T/R Server.

Business/Technology Editors

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 14, 2002

Today, Bull announced today that it was lowering still further the cost of access to the enterprise computing capabilities of its Escala PL family of servers running AIX(R). A new 333MHz version is being added to the existing Escala PL 220 models, available in Tower and Rack configurations, and represents a reduction in price of up to 25%.

The Escala PL 220T/R are intended for small to medium-sized companies or organisations, work groups or remote sites in large organisations. For new and existing enterprise customers, the new models make it easier to expand existing infrastructures using widely deployable low-cost application and database servers. For small and medium sized business these servers offer the proven capability of running business and mission critical applications with improved reliability and scalability.

The new server features one or two 64-bit Power3-II processors running at 333 MHz, and can be upgraded in the field to the more powerful Escala PL 220 models with processors rated at 375 or 450 MHz.

The Escala PL 220 servers have been well received by Bull's indirect channel partners, such as Ingram Micro, Thor, Isys, Open Computing and SDP, owing to their competitive pricing and ease of installation. They provide ISVs and integrators a way of offering their solutions on a lower cost, full function server.

Available with AIX4.3 or AIX 5L, the new Escala PL 220 is proposed in Tower or Rack format with a minimum configuration consisting of:

-- One Power3-II processor running at 333 MHz with 4 MB of L2 cache memory

-- 512 MB of RAM, expandable up to 8 GB

-- An internal disk capacity of 1 Ultra3 SCSI 18.2 GB, expandable up to 72.8 GB


-- 6 optional internal hot-swappable disk modules, accessible from the front

-- 3 media modules

-- 5 PCI slots

As a new option, the all the Escala PL 220 models may now access the internal hot-swappable disks using RAID 5 to provide addition levels of availability.

The new model is available immediately, for 9240 euros (Tower configuration with 1 CPU board at 333 MHz, 512 MB of RAM, 18.2 GB disk and AIX).

About Bull

Bull is an international IT group with customers in almost 100 countries. In 2000, the company had a revenue of 3.2 billion dollars. Bull is focused on servers, secure infrastructures and services, from consulting to systems integration and outsourcing. Bull is dedicated to helping customers transform their processes and infrastructures in order to take full advantage of information technology to drive their market growth. Bull has gained strong recognition in the major economic sectors, such as the public sector, finance, industry and telecommunications. More information: http://www.bull.com

Escala is a registered trademark of Bull SA. AIX is a registered trademark of IBM Corporation. UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open Group. All other products, company or service names may be trademarks of their respective owners.