IBM Announces Early Shipment of Operating System/2

Las Vegas, Nev. -- November 3, 1987 -- PRN -- IBM today announced that the first release of its Operating System/2 (OS/2)TM will be available ahead of schedule, beginning in December.

OS/2 Standard Edition 1.0 lets users of the most powerful models of the IBM Personal System/2TM family run multiple concurrent applications and gives them access to very large programs and data.

At a breakfast meeting held here today with IBM Authorized Dealers, Ned C. Lautenbach, IBM vice president and president, National Distribution Division, also announced the shipment of the one-millionth IBM Personal System/2, only seven months after its introduction. He also thanked the dealers for their efforts, which are contributing to a record-setting year for IBM's personal computing business.

In addition, IBM introduced a new version of Operating System/2, Extended Edition 1.0, which provides customers a relational data base and communications support. IBM also enhanced its local area network (LAN) software support with two new connectivity products for the IBM Token-Ring Network and IBM PC Network.

Also announced were first customer shipment dates for previously introduced products: the IBM 3270 Workstation Program Version 1.1, which allows users of the PC Disk Operating System (DOS) to run multiple concurrent applications; two versions of Operating System/2; and the IBM Advanced Interactive Executive (AIX)TM PS/2, a UNIXTM-based operating system for the Personal System/2 Model 80, which will enable IBM to provide customers with a complete set of UNIX-based solutions.

"In addition to already running PC DOS applications, these products enable us to unlock the power built into IBM's Personal System/2 hardware," said William C. Lowe, IBM vice president and president, Entry Systems Division. "They will allow our customers a wide variety of choices among standalone, multitasking and networking solutions."

Lowe also announced that IBM and Microsoft (R) are launching a joint program to encourage third-party application development for OS/2. As part of the program, the companies plan to provide software developers with copies of OS/2 and development toolkits, and will conduct a series of symposiums, including one concurrent with COMDEX/Spring '88, next May in Atlanta.

More than 50 major software developers already have indicated they will provide programs for Operating System/2.

Operating System/2

OS/2 is the first offering to participate in IBM's Systems Application Architecture (SAA), a common framework for developing and using the same application programs across a broad range of IBM systems.

OS/2 runs on Personal System/2 Models 50, 60 and 80, which feature IBM-developed Micro Channel (TM) architecture. It also runs on the IBM Personal Computer ATR and IBM Personal Computer XTTM Model 286, and includes a DOS compatibility mode that allows customers to continue using existing DOS-based applications.

Standard Edition 1.0

OS/2 is the first IBM operating system to give users of IBM personal computing systems access to multiple concurrent applications, and the ability to develop and use programs and data that exceed 640 kilobytes (KB). OS/2 provides up to 16 megabytes (MB) of addressable memory, more than 25 times the memory provided by DOS. This eliminates the need to exit one large program in order to use another. The one-time license charge for OS/2 Standard Edition 1.0 is $325.

Extended Edition 1.0

In addition to the features found in Standard Edition 1.0, OS/2 Extended Edition 1.0 has an advanced relational Database Manager, and a Communications Manager which provides intersystems communications improved connectivity and terminal emulation, all developed by IBM. The one-time license charge for OS/2 Extended Edition is $795. First customer shipment is July 1988.

Standard Edition 1.1

OS/2 Standard Edition 1.1 will include all the features in Standard Edition 1.0 plus a graphics-based Presentation Manager (TM program. Presentation Manager lets the user divide the screen into windows to view multiple applications simultaneously. Customers who license Standard Edition 1.0 may obtain a replacement copy of Standard Edition 1.1 at no charge. First customer shipment is October 1988.

Extended Edition 1.1

OS/2 Extended Edition 1.1 will include all the features in Extended Edition 1.0 plus Presentation Manager and LAN support to provide customers with a total operating system solution. Customers who license Extended Edition 1.0 may obtain a replacement copy of Extended Edition 1.1 at no charge. First customer shipment is November 1988.

AIX PS/2

AIX PS/2 is a 32-bit UNIX-based operating system for the IBM Personal System/2 Model 80. It provides multi-user, multi-tasking and virtual memory support for up to 16 concurrent users and is consistent with AIX on the IBM RT Personal Computer(TM). The one-time license charge for AIX PS/2 is $595. First customer shipment is September 1988.

3270 Workstation Program

IBM 3270 Workstation Program (WSP) Version 1.1 allows DOS 3.3 users to get information from up to four concurrent host sessions, up to six concurrent DOS sessions, and up to two notepad sessions. The 3270 WSP 1.1 can be used on selected models of the IBM Personal Computer XT, Personal Computer AT, and most Personal System/2 models as well as IBM 3270 PC systems. The one-time license charge for the 3270 WSP Version 1.1 is $495. First customer shipment is December 1987, ahead of schedule.

LAN Programs

IBM OS/2 LAN Server Version .0 provides resource sharing services via the LAN requester function in IBM OS/2 Extended Edition Version 1.1 and PC LAN Program. This offers a LAN migration path from PC DOS to OS/2 Extended Edition. The PC LAN Program Version 1.3 is a new release for the PC DOS user, offering numerous new features for the administration and security of LAN server resources. The one-time license charges and first customer shipment dates are: OS/2 LAN Server - $995, November 1988; and PC LAN Program Version 1.3 - $225, July 1988.

New Service and Warranty for OS/2

IBM is providing a 90-day program warranty. Program service for Operating System/2 will be available for one year from first customer shipment and will be provided by the IBM National Service Division to customer-registered service coordinators and IBM Authorized Advanced Products Dealers.

Personal Computer AT is a registered trademark of IBM Corporation.

AIX, Operating System/2, OS/2, Personal System/2, Micro Channel, Personal Computer XT, Presentation Manager and RT Personal Computer are trademarks of IBM Corporation.

Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

UNIX is a trademark of AT&T Corporation.

CONTACT -- Scott R. Brooks of IBM, 201-930-5231