OS/2 Shareware BBS: 14 Text/14-Text.zip/tcofin5.txt

Text File | 1995-10-19 | 24KB | 508 lines

          OS/2 Warp Connect - It Makes Sense and Dollars
          ==============================================

Whether you've decided to migrate to a more advanced operating
system from Windows 3.1 or you're still determining if the move
is worthwhile, you need to explore all the options. With all the
Windows 95 hype and fanfare, make sure you don't overlook OS/2
Warp Connect. Before you make a final decision,  evaluate this
offering from IBM. Migrating to OS/2 Warp Connect is definitely
worth considering. This paper explains why its definitely worth
doing.

Migrating from Windows 3.x to OS/2 Warp Connect can and will save
businesses money.  These savings result from OS/2 Warp Connect's
lower migration costs and its proven benefits, such as stability,
true multitasking, and memory protection. Effective use of
technology lowers the total cost of computing as well.

Companies that migrate to OS/2 Warp Connect today can recover
their migration costs by the time a second, more stable release
of Windows 95 is available and supported by native 32-bit
applications.  OS/2 Warp Connect is the logical choice for
customers who want to take advantage of the productivity and
business benefits of a 32-bit operating system and are ready to
do it now.

This paper uses GartnerGroup reports as a guide for discussing
the savings achievable from migrating from Windows 3.x to OS/2
Warp Connect.  The conclusion is clear -- migrating to OS/2 Warp
Connect provides greater benefits and correspondingly greater
savings today.

Reasons to Upgrade
++++++++++++++++++

Analysts from GartnerGroup state several compelling reasons to
migrate from Windows 3.X to a 32-bit operating system. These are:
  * multithreading
  * multitasking
  * 32-bit memory addressing.1

Multithreading allows a program to execute faster by doing
several functions in parallel.  Multitasking allows a user to
perform several tasks at once, such as faxing an order, printing
a report, and updating a spreadsheet.  The 32-bit memory
addressing can increase the amount of information that a computer
can manage.  According to GartnerGroup, these mechanisms will
"provide a robust platform that facilitates significant
functional changes in PC usage." 1

Both Windows 95 and OS/2 Warp Connect offer these three
functions. On the surface, Windows 95 and OS/2 Warp Connect seem
to have comparable features; however, there are several major
differences to consider when comparing their functions and their
costs of ownership.

New Features Require New Applications with Windows 95
One difference is in the ability of applications to take
advantage of the operating systems' multithreading, multitasking,
and memory protection features.  While native Windows 95
applications (this is, applications written specifically for
Windows 95) can use this functionality,  existing Windows
applications running on Windows 95 cannot.2  GartnerGroup states
that "users will not realize the full benefits of Windows 95
unless native Windows 95 applications are adopted." 3

For example, although the user's current Windows 3.x applications
will be protected as a group from system crashes, the memory
protection does not occur between these legacy applications
themselves.3  In addition to the lack of protection for Windows
3.x applications, their presence inhibits Windows 95 from
providing preemptive multitasking.  This means that the presence
of just one Windows 3.x or DOS application inhibits the
performance even for the new Windows 95  applications.

OS/2 Warp Connect Offers Immediate Advantages
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dataquest predicts that "the first real wave of native Windows 95
applications will start arriving approximately six months after
Windows 95 ships." 4   Migrating to new applications to get the
full benefits of a 32-bit operating system adds to the initial
dollar outlay for migration.  Furthermore, waiting for the
availability of Windows 95 native applications delays the
associated savings from migrating to a 32-bit operating system.

With OS/2 Warp Connect, users can get the productivity benefits
of a 32-bit operating system immediately without needing to
upgrade applications.  Existing Windows 3.x applications as well
as native OS/2 applications can take advantage of OS/2 Warp
Connect's multithreading, multitasking, and memory protection
features.  Thus applications do not have to be upgraded to
native, 32-bit versions in order to utilize these benefits of
OS/2 Warp Connect.  This lowers the initial dollar outlay of OS/2
Warp Connect by as much as $845 per user.1  Connect users can
elect to upgrade applications based on the merits of the new
version, not to make the operating system effective.  Since users
are not waiting for new applications to migrate, they can realize
the savings associated with migrating to a 32-bit operating
system without delay.

Other differences to consider are the stability and maturity of
the two operating systems.  GartnerGroup cautions that "while
Windows 95 is designed to be a robust operating system, it is
still the first release of a new system." 2  As a result,
GartnerGroup recommends that "most users moving to Windows 95
from Windows 3.x or DOS should wait for a stable second release
(1H96; 0.8 probability) before migrating." 5

In contrast, OS/2 Warp Connect is proven and reliable at running
mission-critical applications.  Many companies currently rely on
OS/2 Warp Connect to run their essential business applications.
OS/2 Warp customer, Walter Leonard, CIO of Wachovia Bank, says,
"OS/2 Warp is the most reliable and industrial-strength operating
system. When you put 500 LANs out there with no technicians close
by, stability is very important."  Already in its third release,
OS/2 Warp Connect has years of testing, debugging, and fine
tuning behind it. With OS/2 Warp Connect, there's no need to wait
for a more stable release.

Savings from Migrating
++++++++++++++++++++++

Total cost of ownership consists of three major elements.
  * Technical support system costs
  * Administrative costs
  * End-user operating costs

Achievable savings are found in these same three areas when
migrating from Windows 3.x to OS/2 Warp Connect.

Technical Support System Savings
--------------------------------

The key to leveraging technical support costs is including
technology as a major piece of the technical support system.
Effective technical support strategies include:
  * Automated software and data distribution
  * Automated configuration management
  * On-line documentation and help
  * Help-desk automation
  * Protocol independence.

OS/2 Warp Connect incorporates technology advancements that help
reduce technical support costs. Networking technology has made
automated software and data distribution as well as automated
configuration management possible. These functions lower
technical support costs by reducing the time it takes to install
new software and controlling the configuration to avoid future
problems. OS/2 Warp Connect's configuration management makes it
possible to place a preconfigured machine on each user's desk.
Therefore, a technical support person can better perform problem
determination for a particular machine as well as manipulate
files on the hard disk and fix problems remotely. Remote system
control not only saves travel time for the support department but
is also reduces waiting time for the end-users.

OS/2 Warp Connect comes with excellent online documentation and
help including a self-guided tutorial.  The tutorial provides
many features that lessen the educational burden on the technical
support staff.  The tutorial makes it easier for Windows 3.x
users to make the migration. When a user is uncertain about a
particular feature, just a click of a button shows the user an
explanation of the comparable feature in Windows 3.x.  To get
users  more comfortable with a new function, the tutorial has a
practice option.  This Try It option takes the user out of the
tutorial Window and back onto his desktop. Once on the desktop,
the user gets step-by-step directions to lead him through
performing the task.  As a user's skill level grows,  the
tutorial can be set to expert level to teach advanced functions
that build on the skills the user already has.  These are only
some of the reasons that OS/2 received the highest scores for
both Online Help and Tutorials in a recent PC Magazine readers
survey. 6

Help desk automation is enhanced by the expert system technology
incorporated in OS/2 Warp Connect.   AskPSP, an expert system,
serves as an online personal help desk.  With its natural
conversational interface, AskPSP quickly clarifies a problem by
providing the next logical set of  questions based on previous
responses.  Therefore, discovering possible solutions is faster
and easier than more traditional problem determination methods.
Furthermore, AskPSP provides a success probability with each
suggested solution, thus identifying which solutions to try
first.

End user utilization of this feature can reduce the number of
calls to the manned help desk.  Help desk employees taking
advantage of AskPSP can reduce the time it takes to solve
problems and can reduce the number of calls for vendor support.
This exclusive feature can lead to savings in technical support
and, as a by-product, enhance the work experience for the
end-user.

Protocol independence represents support for the commonly used
networking protocols based on open industry standards.  Protocol
independence lowers technical support costs by simplifying system
configurations and limiting the number of interfaces that people
have to learn and use.   OS/2 Warp Connect allows users to
connect to servers with different protocols from the same network
card.  This simplifies connectivity to heterogeneous networks
within and outside your company.  Furthermore,  OS/2 Warp Connect
provides a choice of server connections including:  NetWare,
Windows NT, OS/2 LAN Server, AS/400, AIX,  UNIX, MVS and VM. This
choice is unmatched in the industry.

OS/2 Warp is a robust and reliable system with an easy-to-use,
intuitive interface that minimizes the need for advanced
technical intervention.  And, there are several aspects of
Windows 95 that may actually increase user requirements for
intervention.

Some examples are:

  * Incompatibility problems with existing applications. Jim
    Seymour of PC Week wrote, "Serious incompatibilities with DOS
    and Win 3.1 apps may prove crippling." 7

  * Inconsistent use of drag-and-drop. For example, adding an
    application to the Start Menu differs depending on which
    level of the Start Menu you want to modify.

  * Unproven reliability.  Nicholas Petreley of Infoworld said,
    "I fear that unless Microsoft goes back to the drawing board
    on this operating system, only light users will get anything
    out of it."  Although, Microsoft did fix the bug that caused
    resource problems with multithreaded applications "to a
    degree", the fix causes Windows 95 to be less stable. 8

As demonstrated above, leveraging technology can augment
technical support; and therefore, can significantly cut resource
requirements and dollars spent in this area.

Administrative Savings
----------------------

Tasks viewed as administrative tasks include:
  * asset management
  * security
  * policy and procedure enforcement
  * audits
  * purchasing
  * installation
  * moves and changes.

Administrative savings come from the OS/2 Network SignOn
Coordinator feature.  There are very few companies that have only
one server.  Often times a user needs to connect to a variety of
servers such as NetWare or OS/2 LAN Server for PC connectivity,
OS/400, AIX or VM servers for line-of-business applications.
With the NetWork SignON coordinator, the end-user can sign on to
any combination of servers in the enterprise with one logon.
During this logon any login scripts for Netware are still
executed.  Also, passwords for any combination of these servers
can be changed in a single step.

OS/2 Warp Connect can simplify policy and procedure management.
The integration of the REXX programming language lets you
customize users' desktops in such a way as to enforce certain
policies. For example, it may be desirable to remove
functionality from the desktop of some users to prevent such
users from altering settings,  creating shadows or deleting
items.

OS/2 Warp Connect contains built-in connectivity features that
gives the user more flexibility.  With the built-in networking,
the user can install  networking capabilities during installation
or later.  While the user has the flexibility to use many
different servers, OS/2 Warp Connect gives the user the same
graphical interface to access their choice of servers.

End-User Operation Savings
--------------------------

The most expensive cost category is end-user operations.  These
operations are all the tasks that end-users need to perform to
maintain and effectively use their PC.  These tasks are typically
not a part of their work assignment.  Tasks included in this
category of costs are data management and learning.

Data management costs include the cost of re-creating data not
backed up.   A1992 study by 3M, reported that 24  million work
days were lost in the United States alone by workers re-creating
lost data.9 The end-user costs associated with using an
unreliable PC client are high.  The OS/2 Warp Connect
architecture and memory management design provide the necessary
reliability, integrity and robustness to protect users from
losing data.  One Microsoft document, 10 intimated that the
Windows 95 design choices prioritized application compatibility
over reliability and robustness.

As discussed in the Technical Support Savings section OS/2 Warp
Connect has very  sophisticated features that facilitate
learning. These advanced features can lead to significant savings
in end-user training.

The Productivity Value of OS/2 Warp Connect
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Beyond being easy to use, OS/2 Warp Connect offers many exclusive
productivity features.  For example, a user can set up his system
so that commonly used applications start automatically at boot
time.

Doing Tasks and Managing Projects with Ease
-------------------------------------------

IBM's object technology enables the user to make the transition
from an application-centered to task-centered computing.  A user
can pick and choose specific functions from various applications
that are needed to accomplish a task. Therefore, with the
programs in the OS/2 Warp Bonus Pak,  an end user can fax a
document to someone listed in his address book directly from the
desktop, and in the background use a modem located on another
user's machine.  The user doesn't need to open multiple
applications; all this is done in a few short steps using
drag-and-drop. Below is an example that demonstrates the dramatic
savings in the number of steps for one task when using OS/2 Warp
Connect rather than Windows 3.X.

Scenario:  Fax a memo to a business associate and continue with
another task.

OS/2 Warp Connect              Windows or Windows for Workgroups 3.11
=================              ======================================

1.  Open Address Book            1.  Start Application
2.  Drag business cards          2.  Select File from pull-down menu
    onto document icon
3.  Drag memo to fax machine     3.  Select Open
4.  Click on OK for cover sheet  4.  Select Document
5.  Do other work                5.  Click on OK
                                 6.  Wait for the document to Open
                                 7.  Select File from pull down menu
                                 8.   Select Printer Setup
                                 9.   Select the Fax printer
                                10.  Click on OK
                                11.  Select File from pull down menu
                                12.  Select Print
                                13.  Click on OK
                                14.  Key in phone no. & cover sheet info.
                                15.  Click on OK
                                16.  Wait until faxing is over
                                17.  Close application
                                18.  Do other work


OS/2 Warp Connect provides similar savings for many other tasks
such as scheduling a meeting or accessing multiple Web pages at
the same time.

Folder Work Areas is another way that users can manage their
desktop for different projects.   A user can create a folder for
each different project currently under way. The folder could
contain an address book, documents or anything else associated
with that project. Whenever that folder is opened all the
documents and applications associated with that project are
reopened exactly the same way they were closed last time.  When
work on the project is completed,  the user simply closes the
folder, and all active tasks from the folder close automatically.
The same concept can also be applied where multiple users have to
share the same machine. In this case, each user could have a
folder with their name on it. The folder would include all their
applications and data.  Each user can assign a password to their
folder to ensure privacy.

The BonusPak for OS/2 Warp Connect delivers significant value.
IBM Works contains a word processor, spreadsheet, and database
all with the same look and feel.  The common interface and
integration can reduce end-user learning time and increase
productivity. Other applications found in the Bonus Pak include
HyperACCESS Lite, VideoIN for OS/2, Multimedia Viewer and
FaxWorks for OS/2 .

Being More Productive with Connectivity
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The connectivity solution in OS/2 Warp Connect is quite powerful.
It provides a wide range of options that gives users connectivity
anytime, anywhere.  A business may use some of the connectivity
options, all of the options, or even add more encompassing
enterprise features.

Peer-to-Peer Connectivity
-------------------------

Peer-to-peer connectivity allows a PC to connect directly to
another PC without using a third system as a server.  With PCs
directly connected, users can share resources such as printers,
files and modems.  For home users and small businesses, peer
connectivity may provide a complete solution. For companies that
need to access a server as well as peers, OS/2 Warp Connect makes
it possible to have a peer connection and attach to a server over
the same network card simultaneously.  This simultaneous
connection is a breakthrough for companies that have had to
choose between a peer or a server connection because each choice
required its own connectivity mechanism.

Remote Connectivity
-------------------

To enable the ever increasing number of mobile users to work
when they are away from the office, OS/2 Warp Connect contains
LAN Distance.   With this built-in capability,  a remote worker
can dial into the office, and have access to the resources on his
machine and to network resources.  He can do anything from the
road that he does while he's in the office.

Merging onto the information superhighway is the wave of the 90's.
The information superhighway gives businesses a vast pool of
information -- information that can be used for market research,
competitive analysis, process improvement, and much more.  OS/2
Warp makes it easy to access the Internet using a LAN gateway or
a direct phone line. Better yet, the user can use both options at
the same time.  With the complete set of  tools included in the
Internet Access Kit the user can visit Web sites, Gopher servers,
FTP, and browse newsreaders.  OS/2 Warp Connect also includes the
ability to play any audio file from the Internet or display most
of the popular graphic file formats with the Multimedia Viewer.

OS/2 Warp Connect further enhances productivity with two
collaborative computing applications. The first is Person to
Person (P2P), which lets people work  together on the same
document from remote PCs over standard telephone lines or from an
office network.  The second application,  Lotus Notes Express,
simplifies sharing information and other aspects of
collaborative computing.  In a study by International Data
Corporation (IDC), 65 companies that used Lotus Notes in a
variety of ways had an average return on investment of 179
percent. One company had  1666 percent return on their Notes
investment.11  The potential savings that OS/2 Warp Connect
offers by including Lotus Notes Express is  quite substantial.

All the productivity enhancers just described are included in
OS/2 Warp Connect at no extra charge.


Deciding What Makes Sense and Dollars for You
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

When you take a look at what factors affect the overall cost of
ownership for businesses, the issues are numerous and complex.
This paper outlines several factors and features that you need to
explore closely before making a migration decision.  Bundled
functionality that may not seem important at a first glance may
actually end up saving your company a lot of money.   There are
also enterprise-wide concerns such as security, openness to
support the diversity of computer systems in the enterprise,
globalization,  systems management, and technical support that
need to be factored into the decision.  The desktop operating
system choice is just one element that needs to fit into the
entire enterprise Information Technology (IT) infrastructure.
The PC desktop operating system choice has to plug into the
existing infrastructure, not require its replacement.

The intent of this paper is not to proclaim that there is only
one logical operating system choice for everyone.  We only want
to ensure that you see through big-budgeted hype and dig below
the covers to see what is really there and how much it will cost.
Be sure to look at the alternative of OS/2 Warp Connect. When you
do, you have a better chance of  making the right business
decision for now and for the future.


References:
+++++++++++

1 - GartnerGroup. (May, 1994) Moving to Chicago: How Much will
this Relocation Cost? (Personal Computing Research Note)
Stamford, CT: M. Litvinoff.

2 - GartnerGroup. (December, 1994) The Road to Windows 95
(Personal Computing Research Note) Stamford, CT: C. McCormick.

3 - GartnerGroup (January, 1995) Windows 95 ATC Q&A Part
1:Technology (Personal Computing Research Note) Stamford, CT: C.
Lusher, C. McCormick.

4-  Dataquest Perspective (December, 1994) Windows 95- The Road
to Chicago  (Personal Computing Software Worldwide)  New York,
Karl Wong.

5 - GartnerGroup (April, 1995) Will IBM Walk Away From OS/2?
(Personal Computing Research Note) Stamford, CT: S. Winkler,
L.Fiering.

6- PC Magazine (July, 95) Support and Satisfaction Survey, p 269.


7- PC Week (August 7, 1995) Win95 Naysayers Unite - Just Say No ,
Jim Seymour

8- Infoworld (March 27, 1995) Design Flaw in 'last' beta release
of Windows 95 , Nicholas Petreley

9- GartnerGroup (August, 1994) End-User Operations Cost Model
Definitions (Personal Computing Policies and Strategies)
Stamford, CT: C. Lusher.

10- White Paper (August, 1995) The Real Story about Windows 95
-15 Questions to Answer  (Microsoft, Corporation)
Redmond, Washington.
11- Software Quarterly (Volume 2, 1995) IBM and Lotus: User
Friendly , Scott McCready