Unisys Corporation today announced an agreement with IBM Corporation that will enable Unisys to offer IBM MQSeries message-oriented middleware on its Unisys e-@ction ClearPath HMP IX Enterprise Servers. This agreement further expands the range of options ClearPath users have for integrating mainframe-class applications into electronic business solutions and reflects Unisys commitment to implementing message-oriented middleware on its enterprise servers.
Implementing IBM MQSeries software directly on the Unisys ClearPath servers will facilitate the commercial messaging-based interoperability often required by customers to tie existing information systems into a new electronic business application. Unisys sees message-oriented middleware such as the IBM MQSeries software as an increasingly important method for providing business process interoperability.
"Electronic business is quickly becoming the driving force for many of our customers," said Kevin McHugh, who heads the Unisys ClearPath business initiative. "New e-business solutions open up tremendous market opportunities but frequently require integration with existing IT infrastructures to deliver maximum benefit. This agreement with IBM demonstrates Unisys deep commitment to delivering our customers the leading-edge tools they need to build IT infrastructures that help them capitalize fully on the opportunities e-business affords."
Messages versus Transactions
The IBM MQSeries family of products is available on a wide range of platforms, from desktops to mainframes. Message-based communication is becoming an increasingly popular method to integrate information between systems.
With message based software, it is as if one computer were leaving a voice-mail message for another computer. Using a "message queue," a computer can notify another computer of a change in some vital information and then continue on to other business. The second computer can then pick up the information change from its message queue at some later time. Neither computer spends precious time trying to reach the other computer for a direct conversation.
IBM MQSeries software expands the Unisys ClearPath IX and OS2200 family`s already extensive set of middleware. ClearPath IX middleware provides powerful business integration and interoperability capabilities for the high volume online transaction processing required for enterprise-scale e-business.
Implementation and Availability
Unisys will provide the IBM MQSeries product functionality as an X/Open compliant Resource Manager with the Unisys Open/OLTP 2200 Transaction Manager. This architectural integration allows message queuing functionality to be tied to the recovery, high availability, transactional persistency and high performance attributes of the Unisys ClearPath IX and related 2200 Series systems. The software will allow the ClearPath IX and 2200 Series enterprise servers to participate as fully functional MQSeries platforms in enterprises with multi-vendor IT environments.
General product availability is targeted for second quarter 2000.
Unisys e-@ction ClearPath Enterprise Servers
Unisys e-@ction ClearPath Enterprise Servers feature the unique Unisys Heterogeneous Multiprocessing (HMP) architecture, which enables customers to integrate mainframe-class applications and databases and those based on Windows NT or UnixWare side-by-side in the same server. The Unisys ClearPath family of servers continues to be one of the most successful products Unisys has ever released. For more information on the ClearPath family of servers, see the ClearPath Web page http://www.unisys.com/marketplace/clearpath.
ClearPath servers are an ideal foundation for implementing electronic business applications. An independent study conducted recently by computer industry research firm International Data Corporation (IDC) demonstrated that Unisys e-@ction ClearPath Enterprise Servers are the best choice for large-scale, I/O (input/output) intensive on-line transaction processing (OLTP) applications. Airlines, banks and other organizations that handle massive amounts of critical information 24 hours a day typically run such applications, which are gaining renewed prominence as enterprises increasingly must implement secure and reliable electronic business services requiring high-performance, high-availability servers.
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Unisys
Unisys is an electronic business solutions company whose 36,000 employees help customers in 100 countries apply information technology to seize opportunities and overcome challenges of the Internet economy. Unisys people integrate and deliver the solutions, services, platforms and network infrastructure required by business and government to transform their organizations for success in this new era. The company offers a rich portfolio of Unisys e-@ction Solutions for electronic business based on its expertise in "repeatable" vertical industry solutions, network services, outsourcing, systems integration and multivendor support, coupled with enterprise-class server and related technologies. The primary vertical markets Unisys serves worldwide include financial services, transportation, communications, publishing and commercial sectors, as well as the public sector, including federal government customers. Unisys is headquartered in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, in the Greater Philadelphia area. For more information on the company, access the Unisys home page on the World Wide Web at www.unisys.com Investor information can be found at www.unisys.com/investor
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