Insignia Solutions ships SoftWindows 2.0 for UNIX, delivering complete PC compatibility to UNIX users; UNIX workstations can now run all Windows and DOS applications; runs all Windows and DOS applications including 486 enhanced mode applications; optimized for corporate computing environments; includes complete PC networking support; most cost-effective, flexible, scaleable cross-platform compatibility solutMOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 30, 1995--Insignia Solutions is now shipping SoftWindows 2.0 for UNIX UNIX Operating system for digital computers, developed by Ken Thompson of Bell Laboratories in 1969. It was initially designed for a single user (the name was a pun on the earlier operating system Multics). , the latest version of its innovative software-based PC compatibility solution. SoftWindows 2.0 offers comprehensive PC compatibility, enhanced functionality and greater PC network connectivity. It supports all Windows and DOS applications, including enhanced mode Windows applications. SoftWindows 2.0 allows RISC-based UNIX users to run PC applications not otherwise available for their platform, and delivers an easy way to standardize PC applications across an enterprise. The full PC networking functionality in SoftWindows 2.0 delivers a seamless method for data exchange between PC and UNIX environments, providing even better integration in corporate environments. "SoftWindows 2.0 offers UNIX customers a cost-effective and flexible cross-platform compatibility solution in a single machine," said Robert P. Lee, Insignia Solutions' president and chief executive officer. "A UNIX workstation running SoftWindows essentially gives users two computers in one. The ability to utilize both UNIX and PC applications from a single footprint on the desktop simplifies the work environment for individual users and corporate IS departments alike." Complete Compatibility Like previous versions, SoftWindows 2.0 enables RISC-based UNIX workstations to run Windows and DOS applications with the exact look and feel of working on a PC. Version 2.0 gives users access to personal productivity applications such as Lotus SmartSuite A suite of applications for Windows from IBM Lotus that includes the 1-2-3 spreadsheet, Word Pro word processor, Freelance Graphics, Approach database and Organizer PIM. Also included is a common toolbar for launching the applications and selecting predefined macros that provide tighter , Microsoft Office Microsoft's primary desktop applications for Windows and Mac. Depending on the package, it includes some combination of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Outlook along with various Internet and other utilities. and Novell PerfectOffice, which are not available for UNIX. This means corporations can standardize enterprise-wide on Windows and DOS applications, including Lotus Notes Messaging and groupware software from IBM Lotus that was introduced in 1989 for OS/2 and later expanded to Windows, Mac, Unix, NetWare, AS/400 and S/390. Notes provides e-mail, document sharing, workflow, group discussions and calendaring and scheduling. and cc:Mail. SoftWindows delivers an easy way for corporate customers to access critical company information stored on PCs and PC servers, and includes Microsoft Windows See Windows. (operating system) Microsoft Windows - Microsoft's proprietary window system and user interface software released in 1985 to run on top of MS-DOS. Widely criticised for being too slow (hence "Windoze", "Microsloth Windows") on the machines available then. 3.11 and MS-DOS MS-DOS in full Microsoft Disk Operating System Operating system for personal computers. MS-DOS was based on DOS, developed in 1980 by Seattle Computer Products. Microsoft Corp. bought the rights to DOS in 1981, and released MS-DOS with IBM's PC that year. 6.22 pre-installed. SoftWindows enables customers to access custom corporate and legacy applications not otherwise available on their UNIX workstations. It is compatible with Windows for Workgroups A version of Windows 3.1 introduced in 1992 that added peer-to-peer networking. See Windows. (operating system) Windows for Workgroups - (WFW, WFWG) A version of Windows 3.1 which works with a network. Although stand-alone 3. and supports key advanced technologies found in Windows 95, including OLE 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 . "With SoftWindows 2.0, Insignia has delivered an ideal solution for tens of thousands of UNIX customers who need to run PC applications, including increasingly popular enhanced mode Windows applications," said Tom Copeland, director of workstation research at International Data Corp. "Insignia's software approach gives users the feel of working on a PC without the burden of installing and maintaining additional hardware. More importantly, as Insignia Solutions has licensed the source code for Windows 95, the company is poised to continue to deliver a compelling cross-platform solution for the market." Optimized for Corporate Computing Environments SoftWindows 2.0 supports all major UNIX workstation platforms, including DEC, HP, 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) , Silicon Graphics and Sun, providing the only PC compatibility solution for companies who use multiple types of workstations. New functionality for system administrators allows them to leverage their existing UNIX infrastructure to introduce a PC solution. Advanced tools enable both Windows and DOS applications to be placed under concurrent-use license, so system administrators can ensure that PC software being used is licensed. This is a particularly powerful way to deploy custom software and ensure consistent versions across the enterprise. Administrators can also disable user-configuration options and implement SoftWindows as a system for running specific PC applications. "SoftWindows 2.0 for UNIX fits in well with our computing environment and provides us with the functionality that we require," said David Hines, IS programmer at Lexmark International Inc., an international printer supplier. "Now that SoftWindows supports enhanced mode applications, we have been able to upgrade the company's license of Lotus SmartSuite. "The new version also works with our internal applications and gives us even more functionality with the ability to connect Token Ring A local area network (LAN) access method developed by IBM. Conforming to the IEEE 802.5 standard, Token Ring uses a token ring access method and connects up to 255 nodes in a star topology at 4, 16 or 100 Mbps. . SoftWindows is a tremendous time saver, and the performance is good for the price. What I like most about SoftWindows is that it doesn't require the space or expense of two machines." Complete PC Network Support SoftWindows 2.0 enables UNIX workstations to integrate into existing PC networks, and works as though the user were running on PC hardware. SoftWindows provides complete access to PC networks from UNIX platforms, supporting Novell NetWare (operating system, networking) Novell NetWare - Novell, Inc.'s proprietary networking operating system for the IBM PC. NetWare uses the IPX/SPX, NetBEUI or TCP/IP network protocols. It supports MS-DOS, Microsoft Windows, OS/2, Macintosh and Unix clients. , Microsoft 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. Manager/Windows NT Server, Banyan VINES Banyan VINES (for Virtual Integrated NEtwork Service) was a computer network operating system and the set of computer network protocols it used to talk to client machines on the network. and UNIX file servers. It also includes WinSock support, enabling SoftWindows and UNIX to use the same IP address, and supports both Ethernet and Token Ring network A LAN access method that uses the token passing technology in a physical ring. Each station in the network passes the token on to the station next to it. Token Ring and FDDI LANs use the token ring access method. See Token Ring, FDDI and token passing. architectures. Performance The performance of SoftWindows is scaleable, and depends on the power and configuration of the customer's workstation. Performance can be increased with additional RAM and the use of more cache and faster CPUs. Pricing, Availability and Support SoftWindows 2.0 for UNIX is available immediately, directly from Insignia Solutions and through major distributors and resellers at a suggested retail price of $549. SoftWindows is available in multiple languages. For information on upgrade pricing and SoftWindows 2.0 for UNIX, customers should contact Insignia Solutions at 508/682-7600. Insignia Solutions Insignia Solutions is the world's leading developer of high-quality PC compatibility solutions for UNIX workstations, X Windows-capable desktops and Macintosh computers. The privately-held company develops, markets and sells products designed to run Microsoft Windows and MS-DOS applications on DEC, HP, IBM, Motorola, NeXT, Silicon Graphics and Sun/SPARC workstations, X Windows-capable desktops and Macintosh computers. Headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., the company has strategic relationships with Microsoft, Apple, IBM, NeXT, Silicon Graphics and the industry's leading computer manufacturers, chip suppliers and 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. vendors. The company's sales and marketing departments are located in Mountain View; Andover, Mass.; and High Wycombe High Wycombe (wĭk`əm), city (1991 pop. 69,575), Buckinghamshire, S England. The city is well known for its furniture industry and also has paper mills, sawmills, and engineering works. , England. Research and development are conducted in High Wycombe. Additional information about Insignia Solutions and its products can be obtained by calling Insignia Solutions at 800/848-7677. -0- Note to Editors: Insignia Solutions and Insignia are registered trademarks of Insignia Solutions Inc. SoftWindows is a trademark used under license. MS-DOS, Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks, and 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. is a trademark of Microsoft Corp. Apple and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer Inc. UNIX is a registered trademark licensed exclusively through X/Open Co. Ltd. All other brand names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. CONTACT: Insignia Solutions, Mountain View Joanne Sperans Hartzell, 415/335-7197 |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion