The Unisys Pathway Series

Bringing Windows NT to the Enterprise

As more organizations make the shift to distributed client-server computing, Windows NT promises to become a critical component of their strategies. But integrating next-generation enabling technologies with legacy information resources in an enterprise environment requires a broad range of specialized skills and products. To help meet this challenge, Unisys, the leading provider of client-server solutions for the enterprise, has developed the Pathway Series, the most comprehensive suite of integrated, tested products and services geared to helping organizations evaluate and create enterprise-wide client-server solutions based on the Windows NT operating system, and integrate them with the existing infrastructure.

No company understands the requirements of enterprise-wide, mission-critical systems better than Unisys, nor do they have the depth and breadth of experience in client-server computing that Unisys has developed over the years linking mainframe-class enterprise servers, distributed servers and networks of PCs. While other companies are just starting to talk about client-server computing, Unisys has been designing, developing, servicing and supporting real-world multivendor client-server solutions for the enterprise for more than a decade. Today, Unisys offers a wide range of powerful Intel-based platforms that can be integrated with existing legacy systems and an extensive array of services and supporting programs to solve any client-server computing problem.

The Evolution of Business Computing

For the past two decades, the mainframe has been the platform of choice for developing and deploying mission-critical, enterprise-level business applications and database systems. Mainframes reflected the centralized organization and information needs of these businesses, and until recently, were the only computing machinery with the raw power required to handle the tremendous transaction volumes and data storage needs of enterprise applications. They provided corporate computing environments with significant levels of data security, integrity, availability and throughput, as well as a comprehensive set of system and administrative services to manage this powerful facility.

Since IBM introduced its first personal computer in 1981, PCs have become the de facto standard for personal productivity applications, offering significant productivity advantages over mainframes. Compared to mainframes, PCs are low cost, easy to use, easy to install and run a vast array of shrink-wrapped applications. As PCs proliferated, departments and work groups were linked by local-area networks -- usually of 5 to 10 people -- enabling the sharing of information, printers and other resources. Over the years, PCs have become a strategic tool for decision support in most organizations.

Now, PC LANs are playing an increasingly important role as companies restructure and decentralize to become more competitive in today's global markets. International Data Corporation (IDC), a market research firm, defines the concept of "competitive advantage through information systems" as a business structure characterized by a streamlined organizational decision making process and more active analysis and use of data (rather than simply maintaining repositories of data). To achieve this competitive advantage, corporations increasingly are turning to a new computing strategy based on the client-server model, a system combining the best features and functions of today's mainframe/minicomputer and personal computer environments.

Client-server computing integrates information resources at all levels of the enterprise, making each resource accessible from any level. It also distributes processing across a range of heterogeneous platforms, including networked PC workstations, minicomputers and mainframes. Servers on the network provide access to a variety of database services, file services, printer services, and backup and recovery services. Client applications prepare requests for and can use the resources of multiple servers, and present the results sent from the server. By having larger systems and desktop PCs work together, each performing the task for which it is best suited, client-server computing can increase efficiency, information availability and productivity while leveraging existing investments in computing systems and software. Finally, information systems professionals can maintain control over critical data while making more data available to work groups responding to competitive opportunities.

According to a recent Deloitte & Touche survey, in 1991 only 5 percent of the applications North American corporations developed were based on the client-server model. In 1993 that figure jumped to 27 percent, and by 1995 as many as 57 percent of these applications are expected to be built on the client-server model. Similarly, a recent GartnerGroup survey suggests that by 1998, 80 percent of all new applications will be developed using the client-server model.

As impressive as these figures are, however, they raise some important questions:

What will happen to the existing installed base of hardware and software applications during the shift to distributed client-server applications?

Further, how willing are organizations to entrust the viability of their businesses on such new and unproven technologies?

Systems managers the world over are struggling with these questions as they seek ways to bridge the gap between the security of centralized computing and the need for distributed information systems. These organizations will need to integrate next-generation technologies with legacy information resources in their transition to client-server computing. And they will need an easy way to investigate new technologies, one that allows them to focus on creating solutions, not configuring test beds.

A Pioneer in Client-Server Computing

As a result of its rich history in providing enterprise-wide information solutions, Unisys quickly recognized and responded to the market forces and organizational needs for client-server computing solutions and open systems long before other vendors. Unisys is a pioneer in client-server computing, developing and bringing to market in 1980 the first true client-server system for Intel-based computers. CTOS, a revolutionary technology more than a decade ahead of its time, incorporates many sophisticated features only just becoming available in other PC-based environments, including a real-time, inherently distributed, microkernel-based operating environment, built-in message-based networking, true multiuser/multitasking operation, multiprocessor support and virtual memory.

Unisys is also in the unique position of having faced and conquered many of the challenges inherent in delivering this technology. Time and again, Unisys has proven its capabilities in designing, developing and supporting massive multivendor client-server solutions for the enterprise, including mission-critical, transaction intensive installations at HongkongBank (10,000 workstations in 1300 branch offices in 60 countries), Turkey's T.C. Ziraat Bankasi (20,000 workstations in 1300 branch offices handling 150 million transactions annually) and U-Haul International (5000+ workstations in nearly 1200 offices and retail centers handling up to 60,000 transactions daily), among many other installations in retail banking, airlines and travel-related businesses and the public sector.

From mainframe-class enterprise servers to Unix-based workstations and PCs running CTOS, Windows and now Windows NT, Unisys has a proven track record for successfully integrating diverse hardware platforms and software environments. Precisely because of its experience and knowledge in the pitfalls of client-server systems development, Unisys has built one of the industry's most extensive service and support networks, offering network integration services, consulting services and vertical "line of business" expertise needed to help large organizations define, develop and deploy their applications quickly and effectively.

Because no single client-server solution can possibly address every need within an organization, Unisys has built an extensive portfolio of client-server products and services from which its customers can chose a combination that works best for them. As new technologies and requirements arise, Unisys continues to add new products and services to its portfolio.

As a part of this effort, Unisys has an ongoing program to establish alliances with other companies involved in client-server technology, including Microsoft, Novell, Digital Communications Associates, Powersoft and Beame & Whiteside Software, among others. Unisys also participates in major standards-setting technical organizations such as the Microsoft Banking Systems Vendors Council, IBM APPN Developer Forum and Open systems Environment Implementor's Workshop.

Bringing New Technology to the Enterprise

Windows NT is Microsoft's latest technology for growing today's PC networks into sophisticated platforms with the power and resources to run mission-critical enterprise applications. It is well on its way to becoming a major-league operating system, leveraging the dominant position Microsoft Windows has achieved on the desktop. Many analysts are predicting Windows NT will become a critical component of client-server strategies at many organizations because of its power, reliability and openness.

Windows NT is an evolutionary extension of Microsoft's very successful Windows for desktop systems. As a platform for mission-critical applications, Windows NT offers scalability from desktop client to powerful multiprocessor server systems, provides many built-in system management functions with more to come later this year, and is supported by a wide array of applications and software development tools. And while Windows NT offers the ability to achieve a true homogeneous environment, with Windows on both client and server systems, most enterprises are evaluating Windows NT as one of many components in their overall client-server strategy. Its open architecture enhances its integration into heterogeneous environments, enabling Windows-NT-based clients and servers to be connected to Unix and NetWare clients and servers as well as mainframe-class enterprise servers.

Windows NT is also new, and most organization are not yet prepared to move their mission-critical applications to an unfamiliar environment. By the end of 1996, however, Windows NT will command an 11 percent market share, with a cumulative annual growth rate of 127 percent, according to both IDC and GartnerGroup. As a result, most organizations today are just beginning to evaluate or prototype Windows NT applications, with wider usage and deployment not expected until late 1994 and early 1995.

Clearing The Path to Windows NT

To address the growing interest in Windows NT, Unisys has created the Pathway Series for Windows NT, a comprehensive set of products and services for evaluating and creating enterprise-wide client-server applications, such as on-line transaction processing, based on Windows NT. The foundation of the Pathway Series for Windows NT is the reliable desktop and server technologies from Microsoft. Unisys then adds a unique blend of expertise, hardware and software products, connectivity products and worldwide training and support services required to quickly determine where and how to integrate the technology into enterprise environments. For those organizations just testing the Windows NT waters, the Unisys Pathways Series includes the unique QuickStart program, a fast-track approach to evaluating Windows NT that enables an organization to quickly move through the prototype, pilot and deployment stages of NT applications.

The Unisys Pathway Series includes a scalable range of hardware platforms based on Intel 486 and Pentium processors, from desktop to high-end multiprocessor servers, preconfigured with Windows NT and pretested. They feature a full range of industry-standard interfaces, including ISA and EISA expansion slots, VESA and PCI local buses, and SCSI and SCSI-2 peripheral interfaces.

Unisys has also included leading software products in the Pathway Series for developing mission-critical applications and integrating them in the enterprise environment. These products provide a premium set of integrated software development tools, including Powersoft Powerbuilder, widely acknowledged as the best tool for prototyping and developing applications based on a number of industry-standard databases, including legacy systems like DB2. Visual Basic and Visual C++ object-oriented programming tools from Microsoft, and Unisys Message Control System II are also included in the developer's kit.

TransIT Open/OLTP for Windows NT, ported by Unisys to Windows NT Advanced Server, is the first product to bring highly regarded Tuxedo technology to the Windows NT environment, enabling heterogeneous information resources located anywhere in an enterprise-wide information network to be accessed and updated seamlessly, regardless of location, source or format. Connectivity of Windows NT networks to enterprise servers and peer-to-peer PC LAN integration are assured with DCA INFOConnect communications solutions, Microsoft SNA Server and Windows NT NetWare Workstation Compatible Service (NWCS) and Beame and Whiteside Software MultiConnect for Windows NT.

The Unisys QuickStart program, a component of the Unisys Pathways Series, jump-starts the time-consuming process of evaluating new technology and developing applications by having Unisys integration experts perform on-site installation and configuration of the evaluation system. QuickStart development systems provide not only the Pathway Series system hardware preconfigured and pretested with Windows NT Advanced Server operating system, but also the companion connectivity, database and development software. The QuickStart service provides two days of on-site training to help an organization's evaluation staff understand how the system components are configured to work together. It also includes one day of on-site consultation to help tailor the evaluation system to the specific needs of the test site and plan the best strategy for developing and distributing applications.

Service is Number One

At Unisys, service and support are paramount. To better support NT customers, Unisys is an Authorized Microsoft Solution Provider, offering the widest range of training, support, services and applications of any solution provider for the worldwide enterprise market. In addition, Unisys is opening training and support centers around the world, authorized and certified by Microsoft to deliver high-quality expertise and service.

The Unisys Philadelphia Open Systems Support Center, located at the company headquarters in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, is one of only six Microsoft Authorized Support Centers (MASC) in the industry. Staffed by Unisys employees who are Microsoft Certified Professional System Engineers, the Unisys Philadelphia Open Systems Support Center provides rapid response, first-level technical support to all users of Microsoft's personal operating systems and advanced systems products 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It also supports Unisys Network Enable, the company's multivendor network systems integration business unit offering a comprehensive suite of consulting, implementation and maintenance services for a variety of open network solutions, including those based on Windows NT. In the coming months, similar centers will be established worldwide, and more than 120 Unisys support and network engineers will be certified as Microsoft Certified Professional System Engineers.

The Unisys Evaluation and Training Center in Lisle, Illinois, one of the first Microsoft Authorized Technical Education Centers (MATEC), provides a suite of courses for training and certification of Microsoft Certified Product Specialists and Professional System Engineers. The center has a resident staff of Microsoft Certified Trainers and an established curriculum for a growing roster of Microsoft Personal Operating Systems and Advanced Systems products, including the complete line of Windows products.

Unisys is working to establish Microsoft Authorized Technical Education Centers around the world. The Unisys education facility in Milton Keynes, England, should be certified later this year

While the Unisys Pathway Series is designed to help evaluate prototype and pilot Windows NT enterprise applications, Unisys also offers a broad range of customizable integration and development services, as well as maintenance and support management services, to help translate these plans into reality. And Unisys offers these services for a large and growing roster of non-Unisys systems and products, including those from AT&T, Cisco, Compaq, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Novell and Wellfleet, among others.

Among the extensive array of services Unisys offers are:

The Leader in Client-Server Computing

Providing a complete enterprise client-server solution requires more than delivering the latest "hot boxes" and enabling software. Unisys understands the critical importance of service and support based on a strong foundation of expertise in heterogeneous, multivendor environments. With its extensive experience in creating enterprise-wide information networks worldwide -- including more than a decade designing and implementing open client-server systems and integrating diverse LAN environments -- Unisys has developed the right mix of sophisticated technology and real-world knowledge to bring together all the pieces of client-server solutions. Now, Unisys has expanded its family of client-server solutions with the addition of Microsoft Windows NT and the Pathway Series to enable organizations to grow their PC LANs into sophisticated platforms with the power to run mission-critical enterprise applications and integrate them gracefully into their information infrastructure.

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