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OS/2 Shareware BBS: 16 Announce
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1996-05-06
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New IBM Data Collection Software Products for OS/2 and Windows NT Provide Advanced Function
Announced on April 23, 1996
Software Announcement 296143
In Brief . . .
The IBM Data Collection Connection Development Toolkit and Data
Collection Connection Server for OS/2 and Windows NT feature:
o Quick implementation
o Modular packaging
o GUI for easy learning and use
o Object-oriented software
o Tiered pricing structure for server system
o National Language Support (NLS) and double-byte character set
(DBCS) enabled
Terminal Services
o Development system for DOS and Windows devices
o Customer-defined terminal interface
HostConnect for MAPICS
o Turnkey solution for MAPICS/XA PM&C
o Real-time update of MAPICS/XA database
----------------------------------------
The Data Collection Connection (DCConnect) Development Toolkit and
Server products for OS/2(R) and for Windows+ NT are IBM's next
generation of data collection enablers. They provide an improved
user interface, additional function, and a pricing structure that
accommodates smaller businesses and installations.
The Data Collection Connection Development Toolkit is an
object-oriented development tool for creating transaction programs
for IBM data collection terminals. It features an object-oriented
drag-and-drop GUI enabling ease-of-use, supports IBM's 7525, 7526,
7527, and 7524 data collection terminals. The Development Toolkit
also includes server support for one terminal.
The Data Collection Connection Server provides a graphical facility
for defining a data collection terminal network and utilities for
managing and monitoring those terminals. The network is depicted on
the PC as a series of interconnected icons making configuration and
monitoring more user-friendly. This product can be purchased in any
of three tiers depending on the number of terminals required for a
particular installation.
Terminal Services for DOS and Windows lets a PC running DOS or
Windows interact with the DCConnect server as a data collection
device. It provides a set of APIs that can be invoked from a Visual
Basic or C language program to interact with the DCConnect network.
HostConnect for MAPICS(R) provides a turnkey solution for MAPICS/XA
customers with Plant Monitoring and Control (PM&C) installed.
HostConnect for MAPICS is a set of DCConnect transaction programs and
Advanced Host Interactive Screen Support (AHISS) scripts that collect
PM&C transactions and forwards them to the MAPICS system running on
an AS/400(R) via the OS/2 Communications Manager 5250 emulator.
HostConnect for MAPICS provides function similar to the MAPICS
interface portion of Data Collection Control/2 (DCC/2) and the 5250
and MAPICS Data Services for DOS product.
Planned Availability Dates:
DCConnect Toolkit for OS/2 August 30, 1996
DCConnect Server for OS/2 August 30, 1996
Terminal Services for DOS and Windows August 30, 1996
HostConnect for MAPICS August 30, 1996
DCConnect Toolkit for Windows NT Fourth quarter 1996
DCConnect Server for Windows NT Fourth quarter 1996
Ordering information for DCConnect Toolkit for Windows NT (5639-A07)
and DCConnect Server for Windows NT (5639-A05) will be provided in a
subsequent availability letter.
(R) Registered trademark of International Business Machines
Corporation in the United States or other countries or both.
+ Registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation
Other trademarks and registered trademarks are the properties
of their respective owners.
DESCRIPTION
Data Collection Connection
DCConnect is a PC-based data collection system that provides an easy
method for collecting data from IBM fixed and portable data
collection terminals. Information related to inventory, labor
tracking, work orders, time and attendance, product quality, and
other data required for day-to-day operations and historical tracking
of a business can be gathered at the source as it occurs. This data
is then fed to databases on the PC or Enterprise Resource Planning
(ERP) system residing on a host computer.
By providing an integrated set of products that work together "right
out of the box", implementation time is significantly reduced. MIS
or supervisory personnel can quickly program the data collection
terminals and integrate the DCConnect system with their host
application.
All products are national language support (NLS)- and double-byte
character set (DBCS)-enabled.
Data Collection Connection Development Toolkit
The DCConnect Development Toolkit and DCConnect are follow-on
products to IBM DCC/2, which supports DCC/2 API structure and
devices. Customer-written DCC/2 applications will work unmodified
with DCConnect. DCC/2 32-bit transaction programs can be migrated to
work with the DCConnect Toolkit.
Your investment in IBM data collection terminals and DCC/2 custom
programs is protected by the architecture of DCConnect. Support for
the API structure ensures products such as IBM's Integration Tools,
Advanced Host Interactive Screen Support for OS/2 (AHISS), and
Database Interactive Transaction Support for OS/2 (DBITS), will
continue to work with DCConnect.
Data Collection Connection Server
The tiered structure of the DCConnect Server system accommodates
small installations where a systems integrator or your primary MIS
facility creates the transaction programs using the DCConnect
Toolkit. These transaction programs can then be used at any number
of sites that have one of the DCConnect Server systems installed.
This structure provides for a lower-cost installation where small
remote facilities that require only a few terminals can run a
low-tier DCConnect Server on a local PC. This lowers the overall
cost of the data collection installation.
Terminal Services
Terminal Services for DOS and Windows enables you to incorporate DOS
and Windows PCs into your data collection network. By creating
custom data collection applications using the supplied APIs and
libraries, you have complete control over the user interface,
validation routines, and any other PC-based functions, such as
printing and communications.
The APIs provided allow the Visual Basic or C program to send
transactions and request validation of data to the DCConnect server
and allow messages to be sent to programs running on the DCConnect
server.
HostConnect for MAPICS
HostConnect for MAPICS provides a quick path for shop floor data
collection for MAPICS/XA PM&C users. A minimal amount of
configuration must be performed prior to starting HostConnect for
MAPICS, minimizing implementation time. By collecting PM&C
transactions using fixed and portable data collection terminals
(DCTs), data is reflected in the MAPICS system almost immediately,
providing production control and inventory personnel and other key
decision makers the information needed to make day-to-day decisions.
PRODUCT POSITIONING
DCConnect is a set of follow-on products to DCC/2. It provides price
advantages over DCC/2 by providing a tiered structure.
DCConnect employs an object-oriented programming structure with an
easy-to-learn-and-use GUI and is packaged in a way that lets you
purchase only the products needed for any particular installation.
DCConnect is primarily for manufacturers and distribution warehouses
where the use of fixed and portable data collection terminals is
required for tracking materials, labor, and quality, but may be
useful in any business where high volumes of data are collected on a
daily basis and require an easy-to-use interface for data entry.
DCTs outfitted with barcode or magnetic stripe scanners provide
accurate input at a very high rate.
STATEMENT OF GENERAL DIRECTION
IBM intends to continue to enhance its data collection software
offerings with support for other operating system platforms, support
for non-IBM databases, and turn-key solutions for host-based MRP/ERP
applications. IBM will continue to protect customer investment in
data collection technology with support for existing IBM DCT hardware
and software and by providing a migration path for DCC/2 systems.
EDUCATION SUPPORT
Education is provided for IBM Business Partners or customers, on
demand, for a fee. There are no scheduled classes provided on an
ongoing basis. Customized education for implementation teams and end
users may be provided as part of a custom contract and delivered by
the Worldwide Production Solutions -- Solution Delivery organization.
Call the Solution Delivery organization at 804-697-2025 for
information on customized solutions for education and implementation
in the U.S.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Specified Operating Environment
Hardware Requirements: DCConnect requires the following as a minimum
hardware configuration:
o IBM-compatible 486 PC
o 66MHz, or higher, processor speed
o 32MB RAM
o SVGA display recommended
o Available disk space as follows:
Swap File DCConnect Total*
OS/2 32MB 45MB 77MB
NT 45MB 20MB 65MB
* Total in addition to OS/2 requirements.
Terminal Services for DOS and Windows has the following minimum
hardware requirements:
o 386 DX
o 8MB memory
o 120MB disk
o VGA Display (Windows only)
HostConnect for MAPICS has the following requirements in addition to
DCConnect and its requirements:
o 5250 emulation adapter supported by Communications Manager/2
Release 1.11, or later
Software Requirements
DCConnect (Development Toolkit or Server)
o OS/2 Environment
- OS/2 Warp or Warp Connect
o Windows NT Environment
- Windows NT Version 3.5, or later
HostConnect for MAPICS
o Communications Manager/2 Release 1.11
o DCConnect
Terminal Services for DOS and Windows
o One of the following "C" compilers:
- For DOS
-- Microsoft C 7.0
-- Microsoft Visual C
- For Windows
-- Microsoft C 7.0
-- Microsoft Visual C
-- Visual Basic 3.1
o Windows 3.1
o PC DOS or MS DOS 6.0, or later
o IBM TCP/IP for DOS 2.1.1, or later
o Novell LAN Workplace TCP/IP 4.2
Compatibility: DCConnect is compatible with DCC/2 Release 1.10
application programs and 32-bit transaction programs. When migrating
from DCC/2, any 16-bit transaction programs must first be migrated to
the 32-bit format using the facility provided in DCC/2 1.10. Other
configuration parameters such as cluster definitions and jobs must be
re-entered in DCConnect.
Limitations: The AHISS and DBITS data collection tools do not run in
a Windows environment and are not supported with the Windows NT
versions of DCConnect.
DCConnect supports up to 256 data collection terminals, in any mix of
7525, 7524, 7526, 7527, and PCs running Terminal Services. Use of
the 7524 RF portable DCTs also requires 7524 Interface Support for
OS/2 (5696-977). The 7524 batch portable terminals do not require
7524 Interface Support for OS/2.
Performance Considerations: Performance of the DCConnect system is
highly dependent on the PC processor speed, the number of terminals
attached, whether or not they are attached via an ARTIC adapter or to
a PC communications port, and other applications running on the
DCConnect PC. When terminals are attached via the ARTIC adapter in
an OS/2 environment, ARTIC offloads the PC processor and manages the
communications overhead, increasing the performance of the data
collection system and other PC applications running on the same
machine.
Planning Information
Packaging: Each DCConnect product will be provided on high-capacity,
3.5-inch diskettes. Included with each program package is a basic
installation and configuration guide. Extensive online help and
softcopy reference information is provided on the installation
diskettes.
Security, Auditability, and Control
The security and auditability features of the announced programs are
a multi-user security system that is password-protected. Users will
be required to enter their personal password for access, and their
permitted operations will depend on the assigned class.
User management is responsible for evaluation, selection, and
implementation of security features, administrative procedures, and
appropriate controls in application systems and communication
facilities.
ORDERING INFORMATION
Orders for new licenses will be accepted now.
Shipments will begin on the planned availability date.
Program packages include a program media or other media with
documentation.
For each program package ordered, enter program number with the
appropriate feature numbers. Each feature number can be ordered only
as a quantity of one per program number.
To order, specify the type model number, order type description,
asset feature number 9001, media feature number, one-time charge
(OTC) feature number, media, and quantity. Specify the following
product numbers and feature numbers when ordering new licenses.
Ordering information for DCConnect Toolkit for Windows NT (5639-A07)
and DCConnect Server for Windows NT (5639-A05) will be provided in a
subsequent availability letter.
Feature
Number
Data Collection Connection Development Toolkit for
OS/2 (5639-A04)
Basic License OTC 0005
Media (3.5-inch diskette) 5815
Asset Registration 9001
Data Collection Connection Server for OS/2 (5639-A06)
Tier 1 (up to 10 DCTs)
Basic License OTC 0009
Media (3.5-inch diskette) 5805
Asset Registration 9001
Tier 2 (up to 25 DCTs)
Basic License OTC 0010
Media (3.5-inch diskette) 5815
Asset Registration 9001
Feature
Number
Tier 3 (26+ DCTs)
Basic License OTC 0011
Media (3.5-inch diskette) 5825
Asset Registration 9001
Upgrade Features
Tier 1 to Tier 2
Upgrade 0012
Media (3.5-inch diskette) 5815
Tier 1 to Tier 3
Upgrade 0013
Media (3.5-inch diskette) 5825
Tier 2 to Tier 3
Upgrade 0014
Media (3.5-inch diskette) 5825
Terminal Services for DOS and Windows (5639-A03)
Basic License OTC 0003
Media (3.5-inch diskette) 5815
Asset Registration 9001
HostConnect for MAPICS (5639-A02)
Basic License OTC 0001
Media (3.5-inch diskette) 5815
Asset Registration 9001
Customized Options
Feature
Description Number
Initial Order Suppress
(Suppresses shipment of
media/documentation) 3444
Ship media only
(Suppresses initial shipment
of documentation) 3470
Ship documentation only
(Suppresses initial shipment
of media) 3471
Ship media updates only
(Suppresses shipment of
documentation) 3480
Ship documentation updates
only (Suppresses shipment
of media) 3481
Suppress shipment of updates 3482
Expedite Shipments
Local IBM office expedite (Charge) 3445
Customer expedite (Charge) 3446
HESC 1900
Program Package: Program media with documentation.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Licensing: The programs described in this announcement are licensed
under the terms and conditions of the IBM International Program
License Agreement. A copy of the agreement is included in the
program package.
Variable Charges Apply: No
Limited Warranty: Yes
Program Services: Central Service will be available until
December 31, 1998. Completed APARs should be mailed or faxed to:
IBM Corporation
Production Solutions APAR Coordinator
Internal Zip 2102
1798 NE 40th Street
Boca Raton, FL 33431
or
Fax: 407-443-6824
Volume Orders: Not applicable
Authorization for Copy and Use on Home/Portable Computer: Not
applicable
Program Transfer: Fully transferable
Educational Allowance: A reduced charge is available to qualified
education customers. The educational allowance cannot be added to
any other discount or allowance.
CHARGES
Contact your IBM representative for charges information for this
announcement.
(TM) Trademark of International Business Machines Corporation in the
United States or other countries or both.