---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Florida SunFlash SUNSOFT ENHANCES INTERACTIVE UNIX SYSTEM SunFLASH Vol 45 #28 September 1992 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adds Leading National Distributors in Commercial, Government Markets Announces Aggressive Trade-in Program for SCO Customers UNIX EXPO, New York, Sept. 22, 1992 -- SunSoft Inc. today announced a new version of its INTERACTIVE UNIX System software with features that increase system functionality and expand the number of platforms and peripherals supported. An aggressive trade-in promotion was also announced allowing Santa Cruz Operation (SCO) XENIX, UNIX and Open Desktop users to switch to the new INTERACTIVE UNIX System at a 50% discount. In addition, SunSoft inked major reseller deals with leading national distributors Tech Data, Access Graphics and GTSI. The newly announced version of the INTERACTIVE UNIX System is the first of several planned new product releases that targets 80386/486 PC UNIX multi- and single-user systems. New hardware platforms supported in this release include Intel's LP486 product line as well as Olivetti PCs. In addition, enhanced interoperability with DOS 5.0 and increased peripheral options have been incorporated to expand the market for INTERACTIVE UNIX System products. The product is already used in mission-critical applications by the world's largest corporations including General Motors, BMW, Saab, Reuters, Hyatt Regency, Dresdner Bank, British Petroleum, Elf Aquitaine, Goodyear, British House of Commons, London Futures and Options Exchange and British Telecom. "The combination of these product improvements and the SCO trade-in program make INTERACTIVE UNIX System software the choice for reliable, low-cost 32-bit computing," said Mary Anderson, SunSoft director of channels marketing. "And our new national distributors provide the coverage to meet the increased demand we have experienced in commercial and government markets since acquiring the product line." New National Distributors SunSoft inked a contract with Tech Data (Clearwater, Fla.), one of the three largest distributors in the United States, to license the INTERACTIVE UNIX System through its large network of resellers nationwide. "UNIX is a market of great growth," said Steve Raymund, Tech Data chairman and chief executive officer. "SunSoft's products together with our strong technical support services will allow us to effectively meet the expanding needs of this market. We look forward to offering this quality product line to our large base of resellers." Access Graphics (Boulder, Col.) will market the INTERACTIVE UNIX System software with its new NEC Computer product line, providing users with a complete PC/UNIX solution. Access Graphics, a division of CalComp/Lockheed, is the largest distributor of SPARC systems in the country. "UNIX is the market of greatest growth," said David York, Access Graphics product line manager. "With SunSoft's product quality and technical superiority we will be able to effectively service this market's needs." In a related announcement, SunSoft strengthened its position in the federal market by signing a distribution agreement with Government Technology Services, Inc. (GTSI), the leading reseller of microcomputer hardware, software and networking products to the Federal government market as well as a reseller of workstations,software and peripherals. This marketing and distribution deal adds the INTERACTIVE UNIX System product line to GTSI's Government Services Administration Schedule B/C (GSA), making it easy for government buyers to purchase INTERACTIVE UNIX. The GTSI/SunSoft relationship demonstrates GTSI's continuing commitment to providing comprehensive open systems solutions . New Product Features In Detail The new version of the INTERACTIVE UNIX System, Version 3.0.1, incorporates many new features. The base operating system now supports Intel's LP486 series and addresses the large European base of Olivetti PCs by supporting the Olivetti EISA SCSI chip. Also added are the Korn Shell command interpreter, support for removable Bernoulli and Syquest drives, and the ability to mount DOS 5.0 partitions -- including those larger than 32Mb -- for easy UNIX/DOS file sharing. The award-winning INTERACTIVE X11 window system adds support for the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) Super VGA Protected Mode Interface Standard (SVPMI), and includes several new drivers supporting this interface. New versions of xman, xterm, and xpcterm utilities are also included. Also, the INTERACTIVE TCP/IP products add new device drivers for popular ethernet controllers including the Intel 82596, IBM Token Ring, and 3COM 3C507. Aggressive Pricing and Competitive Upgrade Program The new INTERACTIVE UNIX System products are available immediately with suggested list pricing beginning at $495 including media and documentation in single quantity. Current INTERACTIVE UNIX System 3.0 users can upgrade for $95, and a variety of upgrade products are available for customers using the INTERACTIVE UNIX System Version 2.2. In addition, in the United States, SCO or other PC UNIX users can trade their existing operating system and move to the new products at a 50% discount. Product inquiries should be directed to SunSoft in the U.S. at 1-800-227-9227 and to local SunSoft offices in Europe and Asia. Laura Ramsey 415-336-0739 Claudia Carasso Hi-Tech Communications 415-904-7000 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ For information send mail to info-sunflash@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. Subscription requests should be sent to sunflash-request@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. Archives are on solar.nova.edu, paris.cs.miami.edu, uunet.uu.net, src.doc.ic.ac.uk and ftp.adelaide.edu.au All prices, availability, and other statements relating to Sun or third party products are valid in the U.S. only. Please contact your local Sales Representative for details of pricing and product availability in your region. Descriptions of, or references to products or publications within SunFlash does not imply an endorsement of that product or publication by Sun Microsystems. John McLaughlin, SunFlash editor, flash@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. (305) 776-7770. TRACE: To: sunflash@suntri Errors-to: owner-sunflash@suntri.east.sun.com