Eicon Technology Launches Universal Access: Total PC-To-SNA Connectivity In A Single Suite.MONTREAL, Canada--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 9, 1994--Eicon Technology's Universal Access suite allows systems administrators to standardize on a single PC-to-SNA connectivity solution for all their multi-operating, multi-host, and multiple LAN (Local Area Network) A communications network that serves users within a confined geographical area. The "clients" are the user's workstations typically running Windows, although Mac and Linux clients are also used. and WAN connection environments. Eicon's Universal Access includes 3270 and 5250 clients for DOS, Windows, Windows NT (Windows New Technology) A 32-bit operating system from Microsoft for Intel x86 CPUs. NT is the core technology in Windows 2000 and Windows XP (see Windows). Available in separate client and server versions, it includes built-in networking and preemptive multitasking. and OS/2 operating systems Operating systems can be categorized by technology, ownership, licensing, working state, usage, and by many other characteristics. In practice, many of these groupings may overlap. in a single package. Most importantly Adv. 1. most importantly - above and beyond all other consideration; "above all, you must be independent" above all, most especially , Eicon's Universal Access facilitates MIS licensing issues and sets a migration path for new ope rating systems, eliminating the problems of host types and operating systems. "In the past, organizations typically consisted of DOS and Windows clients. With the arrival of more powerful PCs and higher-end desktop operating systems, the variety of PC operating systems is increasing." says Michel Lefbvres, Product Line Manager for desktop connectivity at Eicon. "Only Universal Access addresses this need with complete support for DOS machines, Windows desktops, and 32- bit environments like Windows NT and OS/2, in one package." Standardize On A Complete Solution "Large, multi-platform environments, would acquire considerable benefits from a product that provides support for many hosts, operating systems, LANs, and WANs." says Elisabeth Rainge, PC Connectivity analyst at IDC Corporation. Because Eicon's Universal Access is tightly integrated with complete support for desktop operating systems, SNA (Systems Network Architecture) IBM's mainframe network standards introduced in 1974. Originally a centralized architecture with a host computer controlling many terminals, enhancements, such as APPN and APPC (LU 6. host types, connection types, and languages, MIS can roll it out across the organization with confidence. For example, some users may want to connect via tn3270, while o thers may need to use existing SNA networks. There are many benefits to standardizing on Eicon's Universal Access -- unlike its competitors who only offer Windows suites, Eicon's Universal Access has multiple desktop operating system support which enables easy migration from older operating systems to newer ones without purchasing more client software or upgrading licenses -- MIS doesn't have to keep track of upgrades from multiple vendors. A single upgrade ensures that everyone is using the most recent version of the software -- the common user interface of the GUI-based products reduces training costs -- MIS only has to learn and support one product line -- administrators have a single contact point for technical support Universal Access To Multiple Operating Systems 3270 and 5250 client software for DOS, Windows, Windows NT and OS/2 makes up the core of Universal Access. In addition, Universal Access also ships with APPC (Advanced Program-to-Program Communications) A high-level protocol from IBM that allows one program to interact with another across the network. It supports client/server and distributed computing by providing a common programming interface on all IBM platforms. subsystems for DOS and Windows to provide access to mainframe, midrange, and peer-to-peer resources from many desktops. End Licensing Headaches In a large organization, knowing which users are running which operating systems and clients can be confusing at best. While the number of SNA clients is easy to verify, the number of users of various products is not so manageable. With Universal Access, administrators buy the number of user licenses they need, and can then migrate users at no extra cost from one operating system operating system (OS) Software that controls the operation of a computer, directs the input and output of data, keeps track of files, and controls the processing of computer programs. to another. Universal Access To SNA-Based Information Each component of Universal Access is a full-featured product, tailored to its operating system and host environment. Access for Windows, for example, supports Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) such as EHLLAPI See HLLAPI. and DDE (Dynamic Data Exchange) A message protocol in Windows that allows application programs to request and exchange data between them automatically. DDE - Dynamic Data Exchange . It also supports Host Graphics (APA (All Points Addressable) Refers to an array (bitmapped screen, matrix, etc.) in which all bits or cells can be individually manipulated. APA - Application Portability Architecture ) at no extra cost, and allows up to 32 concurrent sessions to multiple hosts. And individual products combine intelligently with one another -- for example, if users install Access for Windows NT 3270 and 5250 on a workstation, they will have a single application for connecting to both host types concurrently. Broad support for direct and gateway-based connections is also included. "By offering support not only for Eicon Technology's gateway products, but also for other gateways such as Novell's NetWare for SAA (Systems Application Architecture) A set of interfaces designed to cross all IBM platforms from PC to mainframe. Introduced by IBM in 1987, SAA includes the Common User Access (CUA), the Common Programming Interface for Communications (CPI-C) and Common Communications and Microsoft's SNA Server for Windows NT, we allow customers to take full advantage of their existing infrastructure. Adding tn3270 and tn5250 and direct connections to this further expands the universality of the suite," says Anand Nuggihalli, Product Manager for Windows desktop products at Eicon Technology. Universal Access To Other Great Features Eicon Technology's Access Tools product, a set of Visual Basic custom controls for developing front-end and client-server applications, is included as well. APA graphics are included in the Windows and Windows NT versions. And because each product includes its own set-up applications, users can install as much or as little as they need. Another First for Eicon Technology Universal Access is the first complete product for rolling out connectivity to today's heterogeneous IT environment. Eicon Technology pioneered PC-based host connectivity with the release of their Access for DOS product, which is still the only combined 3270, 5250 and VT220 client software for the DOS environment The DOS environment is a reserved area in DOS for holding values used by DOS and other applications. The values stored in this area are called "environment variables" and are created with the Set command (see DOS Set). . Eicon then released the first GUI-based SNA emulation for the Windows 3.0 environment. Eicon has the leading market share of the International Windows emulation software market for 1993 shipment s1. Eicon's Access for Windows NT represents the first complete stand-alone SNA solution for the Windows NT environment. And lastly, Eicon Technology is the first vendor to have available a native Windows NT SNA solution for both Mainframe and Midrange systems. Availability, Pricing and Support Eicon's Universal Access (Release 1.00) will be available December 1994, in 100-user packages and site licenses. 100 User-Pack $21,875 U.S. Site licenses available upon quotation Eicon Technology products are offered worldwide through a network of distributors, resellers and OEMs. Corporate Profile Founded in 1984, Eicon Technology is a worldwide provider of advanced internetworking solutions for branch office connectivity. The company develops, markets and supports server-based products that allow personal computers to access IBM (International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, www.ibm.com) The world's largest computer company. IBM's product lines include the S/390 mainframes (zSeries), AS/400 midrange business systems (iSeries), RS/6000 workstations and servers (pSeries), Intel-based servers (xSeries) SNA networks and corporate internetworks for client/server applications. Eicon Technology's products are distributed in over 70 countries around the world. Eicon Technology is traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE) Canada's largest stock exchange, trading approximately 1,200 company stocks and 33 options. and Montreal Exchange Montreal Exchange A Canadian derivatives exchange that facilitates the trading of stock options, interest rate futures and options, as well as index options and futures. Located in Montreal, Quebec, it is the country's main financial derivative market, while the Winnipeg under the symbol EIC EIC Editor-In-Chief EIC Euro Info Centre (DIN) EIC Earned Income Credit EIC Excellence in Cities (UK) EIC Enterprise Interaction Center (Interactive Intelligence) . For more information, customers should call 1-800-80-EICON, or contact the company at Internet address There are two kinds of addresses that are widely used on the Internet. One is a person's e-mail address, and the other is the address of a Web site, which is known as a URL. Following is an explanation of Internet e-mail addresses only. For more on URLs, see URL and Internet domain name. : sales@eicon.com. -0- Note: (1) International Data Corporation (IDC), #9179, Review and Forecastof the Worldwide IBM Mainframe and Midrange Desktop Environment, 1993-1998, November 1994 CONTACT: Eicon Technology
Robin Boyer, 514/631-2592 (Editorial)
Internet: robinb@eicon.com
Eicon Technology
Sales, 1-800-80-EICON
Internet: sales@eicon.com
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