- Email: [email protected]
Networking
products and services Business forecasting for the small business A decision support system is an important part of most businesses but it often requires a thorough understanding before use. The UK software
ICL has joined the growing number of IT companies committed to Open Systems Interconnection (0%) by announcing its Networked Office ‘85. Those committed to OS1 emphasize the need to break down traditional barriers between word and data processing; mainframes and micros. ICL.‘s hardware and software packages are designed to tacilitate interworking between DRX and VME operating systems. In addition, .interconnection between the Distri!,uted Systems Resource f DRS) range networked multiuser micros will be made (easier with the DRS 8800 series word processors using the same microlan under version three ~)f the DRX operating system. By working towards a standard for Open Systems Interconnection ICL can offer a range of office software equipment which will communicate more easily. For example Exec is a software communications package available on VM E systems which can be accessed from DRS workstations. It incorporates electronic distribution of word processing documents, electronic diary and messaging facilities. Committee Minutes System (CMS) is designed to solve storage problems and retrieve information from the meeting minutes and related documentation. Data is entered through an ICL terminal or 8800 word processor and held centrally on the mainframe.
~0127 no 5
june 1985
Electronic Mail is a time saving addition to most offices if used regularly. ICL has introduced its version called ICLmail as a distributed application system. In the first phase it is designed to link the DRS family of networked computers. However, developments are in the pipeline to link to Exec and provide access to VME based mainframes, mail on ICL personal computers and gateways to telex and BT Gold. Another office software package called SKMS gives access to large amounts of unformatted text held on an ICL mainframe. Each word: phrase in the document can be used as a selection criteria making retrieval more simple. All these office software packages can, or will, be linked by interconnection of the DRS range or micros. It will be possible for secretaries and managers to view and work on a document without printing it each time for corrections. It can also be sent via the electronic mail service to the recipients in one move without photocopying or manual distribution. Phase one is underway already linking mainframes to DRS and the next phase will see the networked office linking electronic mail, Exec, DRS and future systems. j1CL Ltd, Bridge House, Putney Bridge, Fulham, London SW6 3JX, UK. Tel: 01-788 7272 0
company Sagesoft has introduced its answer to earlier business modelling and spreadsheet analysis, called Options. The software is aimed at the who is small businessman looking for spreadsheet analysis without the complicated steps required for indepth analysis such as Lotus l-2-3. The company emphasises that its product is not a challenge to Lotus, but an easy to use alternative. Options consists of two elements. It has a spreadsheet allowing data and formulae to be entered in the usual way and an analysis program. The figures entered into the spreadsheet can have a range associated with them. These ranges are used by the analysis part of the program and are expressed as percentages. To obtain meaningful results Options shortens the time consuming ‘what if?’ part of the program by performing 1000 calculations on each variable immediately. Although Options can be used in many risks analysis situations, Sagesoft believes that its principal application will be in business forecasting, such as producing profitloss and cash flow predictions. Data can also be passed for risk analysis into Options from other spreadsheets, including Lotus l-2-3 and SuperCalc. Options is available in the UK, Europe and the USA through its dealer network and major distributors such as Softsel. The software runs on the IBM PC, Apricot and Sanyo 55 series only at present and costs f145. iSag_esoft Ltd, NEI House, Regent Centre, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Kyne NE3 3DS, UK. Tel: (091) 284 7077) 0
55
ICL has joined the growing number of IT companies committed to Open Systems Interconnection (0%) by announcing its Networked Office ‘85. Those committed to OS1 emphasize the need to break down traditional barriers between word and data processing; mainframes and micros. ICL.‘s hardware and software packages are designed to tacilitate interworking between DRX and VME operating systems. In addition, .interconnection between the Distri!,uted Systems Resource f DRS) range networked multiuser micros will be made (easier with the DRS 8800 series word processors using the same microlan under version three ~)f the DRX operating system. By working towards a standard for Open Systems Interconnection ICL can offer a range of office software equipment which will communicate more easily. For example Exec is a software communications package available on VM E systems which can be accessed from DRS workstations. It incorporates electronic distribution of word processing documents, electronic diary and messaging facilities. Committee Minutes System (CMS) is designed to solve storage problems and retrieve information from the meeting minutes and related documentation. Data is entered through an ICL terminal or 8800 word processor and held centrally on the mainframe.
~0127 no 5
june 1985
Electronic Mail is a time saving addition to most offices if used regularly. ICL has introduced its version called ICLmail as a distributed application system. In the first phase it is designed to link the DRS family of networked computers. However, developments are in the pipeline to link to Exec and provide access to VME based mainframes, mail on ICL personal computers and gateways to telex and BT Gold. Another office software package called SKMS gives access to large amounts of unformatted text held on an ICL mainframe. Each word: phrase in the document can be used as a selection criteria making retrieval more simple. All these office software packages can, or will, be linked by interconnection of the DRS range or micros. It will be possible for secretaries and managers to view and work on a document without printing it each time for corrections. It can also be sent via the electronic mail service to the recipients in one move without photocopying or manual distribution. Phase one is underway already linking mainframes to DRS and the next phase will see the networked office linking electronic mail, Exec, DRS and future systems. j1CL Ltd, Bridge House, Putney Bridge, Fulham, London SW6 3JX, UK. Tel: 01-788 7272 0
company Sagesoft has introduced its answer to earlier business modelling and spreadsheet analysis, called Options. The software is aimed at the who is small businessman looking for spreadsheet analysis without the complicated steps required for indepth analysis such as Lotus l-2-3. The company emphasises that its product is not a challenge to Lotus, but an easy to use alternative. Options consists of two elements. It has a spreadsheet allowing data and formulae to be entered in the usual way and an analysis program. The figures entered into the spreadsheet can have a range associated with them. These ranges are used by the analysis part of the program and are expressed as percentages. To obtain meaningful results Options shortens the time consuming ‘what if?’ part of the program by performing 1000 calculations on each variable immediately. Although Options can be used in many risks analysis situations, Sagesoft believes that its principal application will be in business forecasting, such as producing profitloss and cash flow predictions. Data can also be passed for risk analysis into Options from other spreadsheets, including Lotus l-2-3 and SuperCalc. Options is available in the UK, Europe and the USA through its dealer network and major distributors such as Softsel. The software runs on the IBM PC, Apricot and Sanyo 55 series only at present and costs f145. iSag_esoft Ltd, NEI House, Regent Centre, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Kyne NE3 3DS, UK. Tel: (091) 284 7077) 0
55