NT versus Unix

They always contain a mixture of product news, technical information, trade gossip - some of which you will not hear anywhere else!

Centreline 2000 - keeping you informed.

This issue:

• NT versus Unix
• Contract News
• Simple purchasing through HMSO
• Uniplex User Group Special Conference

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.

Centreline 2000 announces major NT contracts

We are pleased to announce two full-scale NT implementations, moving Uniplex users to new Microsoft BackOffice networked systems. The contracts, valued at more than £500,000, are representative of Unix users moves to Microsoft platforms.

The first is with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. The implementation involves migrating over 200 users from Uniplex on ASCII terminals to desktop PC's. The whole system will be powered by NT servers in 3 locations. We will also be implementing co-existence tools, in particular Uniplex to Exchange mail connectivity.

The second with the Chartered Institute of Taxation migrates the entire organisation from two AIX RS/6000 servers to a Compaq hosted BackOffice server. This fully managed solution includes installation, training and support.

Welcoming new support clients

We would like to welcome Ebac Ltd and RPC Containers as new clients for the reknowned Uniplex Hot-Line Support program. If you would like to know more about Uniplex or Microsoft support please call 07000 88 2000.

Centreline on Her Majesty's Service!

Centreline 2000 are keen to announce a framework agreement with HMSO Business Systems (shortly to be privatised as the Stationery Office). HMSO can now offer all Centreline products and services to central and local government departments, schools and libraries and more recently the private sector.

Along with a range of leading technology suppliers including 3M, Canon, Rank Xerox, etc. HMSO can provide any Centreline 2000 service from a document converter to an entire Unix or NT networked installation - off the page. The HMSO catalogue is a convenient way to purchase and avoids the requirement to go out to tender in the European Journal. For more information, contact sales on 07000 88 2000.

Centreline 2000's Microsoft Certification Program

Congratulations to Stuart Hillston for becoming a certified Microsoft Sales Specialist this month. This is part of our on-going program to have all staff Microsoft certified in their respective fields giving you a guarantee of professional assistance.

TUDOR Document Conversion - New Version

We have released this month version 1.1 of TUDOR, our document convertor that offers you a high accuracy conversion of Uniplex documents to MS-Word and other Rich Text Format (RTF) programs.

Unlike off-the-shelf document convertors TUDOR understands the more esoteric aspects of Uniplex documents such as boxing, multi-columns and print styles. These attributes are converted to equivalent functions in MS-Word.

The latest version offers improved support for wide, landscape documents and enhanced print style settings. This convertor is not for everyone, its features are specifically targetted at high volume, high accuracy conversion - either on demand or in batch mode.

TUDOR is currently installed at a number of sites including Cambridge County Council, London Borough of Harrow and law firm Cameron Markby Hewett.

Centreline chairs Internet for Utilities conference

Centreline MD, Simon Walden chairs a 2-day international conference on Strategies for Public Utilities on the Internet and Intranet for SMi Conferences in October.

This is the first of a series of Internet conferences and workshops organised with SMi. Events over the next few months include:

• Effective Strategy for Corporate Internets
• Internet and the Public Sector
• Quality Management and the Internet

For more information call SMi on 0171 252 2222 or visit www.maximmed.cm/SMi/.

Conference to address Unix Office Crisis

A December conference and exhibition sponsored by the Uniplex User group will look at the problems facing desktop Unix users and ask "Is your office system heading towards obsolescence?" The Challenge of Choice conference features speakers from Microsoft, Lotus, SCO, Centreline and a keynote from Guy Kewney. It will look at the options for users wishing to move to Windows, or stay with Unix, or combine the two environments.

"The sad fact is that many Unix system developers are no longer issuing major releases of their products" commented Simon Walden in his role as Marketing Director of the UUG. "Unix office systems have fallen further and further behind PC software and in many cases are now failing to deliver even basic features and benefits that users have come to expect."

Walden feels that the time is right for the User Group to recognise the dilemma facing the majority of its members and focus its efforts on resolving their problems, even if the users best solution is to switch to a Windows, NT or OS/2 environment.

"Unix users face a bewildering range of options for change, but receive very little information relating to their particular concerns and requirements" added Walden. "Over the course of the two days of the conference, delegates will hear presentations aimed specifically at Unix users. They will have an opportunity to meet and talk with specialist suppliers and consultants and will be able to compare and contrast the various offerings from key players in the industry."

Centreline 2000 has consistently supported the Uniplex User Group and we strongly recommend any Uniplex user, even those considering moving from Uniplex, to join.

The conference will be held in Birmingham on the 3rd/4th December and is open to all Unix users. UUG members can attend free, non-members at £80/day. Call the Uniplex User Group: 01442 232089.