Why NT is winning over Unix

Why NT is in the ascendancy and how is it superseding UNIX

Frustration with your existing system

Time and again we talk to users who are unhappy with the way their UNIX and Uniplex installation is developing - or more frequently not developing. This manifests itself in many forms, from a general lack of confidence in the future development of the applications to frustration at the difficulties they have in maintaining their bespoke/custom developments.

Where now?

Of course there are many reasons why people are changing from UNIX/Uniplex based solutions to NT/BackOffice. There is the superior functionality on offer together with the comfort of knowing that you are moving to a vendor with vast technical and commercial resources.

Perhaps the most common reason for making the move, however, stems from asking the question - where do we go from here? Do I expect to be using this system in 5 years time and if so what do I expect it to look like?

Dynamics of a new purchase

Consider the dynamics of a major system purchase. A number of factors govern a systems longevity, but most have a lifespan of 3-7 years, before they are replaced or obsoleted by new technologies. Its fairly safe to assume that by the end of that time, major elements will be due for replacement, technology will have moved on (dramatically!) and the organisation will feel they have obtained an appropriate return on the investment made.

So, one of the key concerns with any piece of technology is whether it is going to be developed and enhanced throughout its useful life, whether it is going to be easy to maintain, and whether there are suitable migration paths available as the various components are obsoleted by the sheer pace of technological change. Forgive the industry cliché, but its a case of future-proofing.

Future developments

Now lets consider the UNIX/Uniplex based solution. Everyone acknowledges that UNIX/Uniplex desktop products (Word Processors, Spreadsheets, etc.) do not compete with their PC counterparts. But even the workgroup and server tools (database, mail, scheduling) have not progressed or developed significantly in recent years.

Compare that with the maintenance and enhancements that have already taken place with NT and its application server suite BackOffice. In a comparatively short space of time we've seen several general maintenance releases, the emergence of a new client-server mail and communications server (Exchange) as a migration path for MS Mail.

In addition there have been major enhancements to the database component, SQL Server, an Internet Server and technology agreements with a huge range of third parties to provide add-in document management, communications and networking products.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it

Now no-one is suggesting that you need change for change's sake, or that all these enhancements and extensions are necessary or even desirable. But - by and large - you don't have to have them. The point is, the option is there and you can be moderately confident that such a system will be enhanced over time, providing a sensible migration path for the foreseeable future.

Desktop integration

When you combine all of this with the levels of PC desktop integration you can achieve, its not hard to see why people are re-evaluating their UNIX/Uniplex solution and comparing it with an NT/BackOffice server in conjunction with PC desktop clients running MS Office Professional.

All about timing

The critical question of course is timing and phasing the move. Often a specific project will force the re-evaluation. Sometimes it is networking the site. Perhaps a new business system - customer service, sales and marketing, data warehousing - drives the decision.

Whatever the business driver, there are a myriad of issues and potential pitfalls. From leveraging the best prices on hardware and software to training, support, document, database and spreadsheet conversion.

Whatever the reason, we can help. We've managed and implemented Windows NT/BackOffice installations - together with the associated migration and conversion issues - for a number of clients already. (See following pages for details of 2 major Centreline projects based on Windows NT and BackOffice going on this month.) And interest is growing daily.

To find out more about your move to NT, BackOffice and Microsoft client-server solutions, contact the sales office on 07000 88 2000. We can promise expert and impartial advice.