Presentation Manager Delivered: IBM Ships OS/2 Standard Edition 1.1

Rye Brook, N.Y. -- October 31, 1988 -- PRNewswire -- IBM Corporation (NYSE: IBM) today began shipping Operating System/2 (OS/2)(TM) Standard Edition Version 1.1, which features an easy-to-use graphical interface called Presentation Manager(TM).

"OS/2 with Presentation Manager brings an impressive boost of power and ease of use to personal computing customers," said William C. Lowe, IBM vice president and president, Entry Systems Division. "The combined efforts of IBM and Microsoft have produced an advanced graphical interface and a full function platform for new applications."

OS/2 can support many programs running simultaneously (multitasking) while taking advantage of up to 16 megabytes (MB) of memory. OS/2 is a key component in IBM's Systems Application Architecture (SAA). Applications written to IBM's SAA specifications will have a consistent screen design across the range of IBM SAA environments, including the IBM Personal System/2 (PS/2)(R), Application System/400(TM), and 3090. This is intended to make it easier for customers to learn and use new applications.

Presentation Manager allows customers to view several applications running concurrently by selecting from menus and icons using a mouse or a keyboard. In addition, the user can control the size and position of the on-screen windows to make better use of screen space. To conserve screen space, a user can choose to convert a window to an icon. When the user wants to access the application again, the icon is selected and the window reappears.

The graphical techniques of the Presentation Manager help create a simpler, more interactive interface. As a result, users can take advantage of a consistent look and feel across a variety of applications. This can reduce training costs and improve productivity for customers.

In addition to Presentation Manager, OS/2 Standard Edition 1.1 features support for fixed disks greater than 32MB in a single file. This allows a single file to be as large as the fixed disk itself, making it easier for customers to store and access large databases. OS/2 runs on the PS/2 models 50, 50Z, 60, 70 386 and 80 386, which feature Micro Channel(TM) Architecture, as well as the PS/2 Model 30 286, Personal Computer AT(R) and Personal Computer XT(TM) Model 286.

In November, IBM will begin shipping OS/2 Extended Edition 1.1. This release will offer all the functions of Standard Edition 1.1 along with an advanced relational Database Manager, and a Communications Manager, which provides intersystems communications, terminal emulation and local-area-network requestor support. Both database and communications applications can be written to use the Presentation Manager facilities.

The one-time license charge for OS/2 Standard Edition 1.1 is $340. Customers who have licensed Standard Edition 1.0 may upgrade to Standard Edition 1.1 at no cost. Licensees of IBM DOS Version 3.X (3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3) may upgrade to Standard Edition 1.1 for $283.

IBM OS/2 Standard Edition 1.1 comes with a three-month warranty from the date of license and one year of service beginning today. IBM OS/2 products are available directly from IBM and from the following IBM Business Partners: Authorized Dealers - Advanced Products; and IBM Authorized Industry Remarketers - Advanced Products.

Dealer prices may vary.

Note: Personal System/2, PS/2 and Personal Computer AT are registered trademarks of IBM Corporation.

Operating System/2, OS/2, Presentation Manager, Application System/400 and Personal Computer XT are trademarks of IBM Corporation.

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