IBM’s Network Stations to Support More Than 30 Languages, Continuing IBM’s Leadership in Thin Client Marketplace
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SOMERS, NY (June 22, 1998) – IBM today announced enhancements to its Network Station family of network computers, making IBM the first thin client maker to support more than 30 languages and enabling users around the world to use language-specific keyboards and to read on-screen system messages and instruction manuals in their native languages.
This new feature will enable users of IBM Network Stations to communicate in multiple languages. For example, in Asian countries, where typing characters requires more than single keystrokes of Western alphabets, IBM Network Station users will be able to work with keyboards that contain both Western and Asian characters and unique software that permits their display. In other countries, such as Latin America and Scandinavia, they will be able to use language-specific keyboards and display capabilities.
IBM Network Stations will also expand their support of multi-user Windows applications to include Microsoft’s Terminal Server Edition software. Access to Terminal Server Edition software will be supported by native support for Citrix Systems Inc.’s Independent Computing Architecture (ICA) technology, in addition to the existing X.11 support. Both ICA and X.11 protocols will provide access for multi-user Windows support from Terminal Server Edition or Citrix’ WinFrame using Citrix’ MetaFrame software.
“Most of the major developments in information technology over the past 18 months have been in reaction to our customers’ desire to speed the deployment of applications and to simplify administration of their desktops,” said Bob Dies, IBM’s general manager of Network and Personal Computers. “IBM is helping resolve these issues with our thin client, the family of Network Stations. IBM’s vision of network computing involves better management of applications and a lower total cost of ownership for the desktop.”
OTHER ANNOUNCEMENT HIGHLIGHTS
Also today, IBM announced:
New versions of IBM’s unique Network Station Manager software, available for NT, RS/6000, AS/400 and S/390 servers, which provide centralized management and configuration of Network Stations. Besides national language support and Citrix ICA support, Network Station Manager 3.0 also incorporates Java Virtual Machine (JVM) 1.1.4, enabling Network Station customers to take advantage of the latest advances in Java technology. This latest version of Network Station Manager also includes significant enhancements in the areas of system/network management, emulation, printing functions and browser options.
SCO will develop, test and distribute IBM’s Network Station Manager software on SCO’s UnixWare and OpenServer operating systems, beginning in the second half of 1998. Network Station Manager will be integrated as part of SCO operating systems and will provide support for IBM’s family of thin clients.
Support for AS/400 twinax cabling. Businesses can now attach a new model of the Network Station Series 300 directly to AS/400 servers by using their existing twinaxial cabling, allowing customers to preserve their investment in existing wiring.
Network Stations are distributed by IBM’s Business Partners, with IBM Credit Corporation offering attractive financing options for IBM Business Partners’ solutions packages. Last month, IBM announced a “Quick Start” Web-based guide for resellers to use when installing Network Stations. Quick Start uses a low- end PC, such as an IBM PC 300GL, to act as a boot server for up to 80 to 120 Network Stations. This allows
customers to install Network Stations quickly and easily. In addition, IBM Global Services provides skills and expertise in thin client consulting and implementation, with services in networking, servers, Windows NT and systems management.
PRICING and AVAILABILITY
In Europe and the Middle East, languages that will be supported by the IBM Network Station include: French, Belgian French, Swiss French, German, Swiss German, Italian, Swiss Italian, Spanish, Czech, Dutch, Belgian Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian , Swedish, Greek, Hebrew , Arabic, Hungarian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Turkish, Catalan, Croatian, Serbian-Cyrillic, Slovakian, and Slovenian.
Among the languages supported by IBM’s new Network Stations in Asia-Pacific are: Japanese, Traditional and Simplified Chinese, Thai and Korean.
In the Americas, Canadian French, Brazilian Portuguese, English and Spanish will be available.
The latest Network Station Manager software is offered at no additional charge to Network Station customers, and will be available this summer. In the U.S., the Network Station’s twinax model will available this summer at the existing Series 300 estimated reseller price of $629. The first sub-$500 NC in the industry, the Series 100, carries an estimated reseller price of $499; while IBM’s high-end, Java-enabled client, the
Series 1000, has an estimated reseller price of $999.
In continued support of the needs of thin client European customers, IBM announced that the IBM Network Station will support EuroCurrency, and further information will be made available before Jan. 1, 1999.
Source: IBM