Conference kernel::csguk_systems

110.0. "IBM's latest announcement" by KERNEL::WRIGHTON (odd numbered release = bug insert) Fri Sep 14 1990 08:08

Subj:	IBM Announcement Summary - Please distribute

Sept. 6, 1990

FROM:      Bruce Gordon       VAXcluster Marketing  
           Tom Henkel         VAX 9000 Competitive Analysis
           Ellen Salisbury    VSS Competitive Analysis 
           Ken Steinhardt     U.S. Product Sales, IBM Competitive Consulting

SUBJECT:   IBM's System/390 ES/9000 ANNOUNCEMENT  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

On September 5, IBM introduced IBM System/390, including 18 models of its new 
ES/9000 line and the ESA/390 "family" of operating systems.  IBM is now 
positioning its hardware and software as one compatible family, providing 
improved investment protection for its customers.  This announcement included 
the first two models of the new "Summit" mainframe line, repackaged versions 
of the current 3090 mainframe family and replacement products for the 4381 and 
9370 lines of mid-range systems. 

At the same time, IBM announced Enterprise Systems Connection Architecture
which uses high speed fiber optic channels which allow peripherals to be placed
up to 5.6 miles from the host processor.  IBM also announced several products 
which form the foundation for a concept called Sysplex, similar to early 
VAXcluster functionality, circa 1983.  While this will allow customers to 
build systems that "look" like CI VAXclusters, the software to make sysplex
fully functional is not yet available.

Digital views IBM's continued investment in mainframe technology as additional 
proof that the mainframe market is growing and represents a solid business 
opportunity for Digital.  This announcement has little impact on Digital's
competitive advantages over IBM.  Customer evaluation of the new IBM systems 
may have a short term effect on Digital sales by delaying some purchase 
decisions.  

Digital believes IBM's September 5 announcement is a response to a 
series of business issues within their installed base including: 
    
        -- The need to unlock short-term market for systems and 
           system upgrades.  IBM's high-end business is currently 
           frozen as a result of rumors and speculation surrounding 
           the ES/9000 announcement. 

        -- Provide differentiation between IBM mainframes and 
           IBM-compatible mainframes produced by Japanese-backed 
           Amdahl Corp. and Hitachi Data Systems (HDS). 

        -- Create new revenue opportunities within its mainframe
           customer base.  IBM's mainframe customer base is not 
           growing.  IBM needs to establish new features that 
           will encourage existing customers to spend more money with 
           IBM. 

In all, IBM introduced more than 130 products.  Listed below are the 
ones most relevant to Digital: 

ES/9000 MODELS 900 and 820 (SUMMIT)
-----------------------------------

WHAT'S NEW:    New mainframe platform (currently restricted to 4X and 6X SMP 
               systems).  Offers roughly twice the performance of 3090 
               systems. 

ADVANTAGE:     Provides an upward growth path for existing 3090 customers 
               and allows IBM to claim performance parity with the Japanese.  
               Also gives customers information for CY91/92 budget planning. 

DISADVANTAGE:  Long delivery schedule.  The Japanese still have the upper 
               hand in performance.  Potential negative impact on short-term 
               IBM mainframe sales  -- will customers withhold mainframe 
               purchases until the full Summit line is available? 

AVAILABILITY:  Third quarter CY1991. 

PRICE:         $102K/MIPS

DIGITAL POSITION:                         
--------------------------------------------
MODEL       #CPUS    MIPS    VAX POSITIONING
--------------------------------------------
ES/9000-900   6      212      VAXclusters 
 
ES/9000-820   4      161      VAXclusters
--------------------------------------------
 
"NEW" 3090 FAMILY 
------------------

WHAT'S NEW:    New frame, same logic.    

ADVANTAGE:     Investment protection for customers.  Physical upgrade path 
               to Summit; smaller footprint
               
DISADVANTAGE:  Same performance as 3090 family; minimal customer incentive 
               to buy -- unless an upgrade was already planned

AVAILABILITY:  Fourth quarter CY90.

PRICE:         $98K-$100K/MIPS 

DIGITAL POSITIONING
-------------------------------------------------------------
OLD NAME    NEW NAME    #CPUS      MIPS       VAX POSITIONING
-------------------------------------------------------------
3090 600J  ES/9000-720    6        112          VAX 9000-440
 
3090 500J     ---         5         95          VAX 9000-430
 
3090 400J  ES/9000-620    4         85          VAX 9000-430
 
3090 300J  ES/9000-580    3         65          VAX 9000-420
 
3090 200J  ES/9000-500    2         45          VAX 9000-420
 
3090 180J  ES/9000-340    1         24          VAX 9000-410
 
3090 170J  ES/9000-330    1         20          VAX 9000-410
-------------------------------------------------------------

4381-REPLACEMENT 
----------------

WHAT'S NEW:    Six new models.  Major new release of DOS/VSE.

ADVANTAGE:     Provides hardware/software upgrade path for existing 43XX 
               installed base.  

DISADVANTAGE:  Limited growth path before a fork-lift upgrade is required; 
               Only two models available now; full migration to VSE/ESA is 
               expensive, time consuming.  

AVAILABILITY:  Models 260 and 320 now; all others early 1991.

PRICE:         $68K-$78K/MIPS

DIGITAL POSITIONING: 
-----------------------------------------------------------
OLD NAME    NEW NAME   #CPUS      MIPS      VAX POSITIONING
-----------------------------------------------------------
4381 MG24  ES/9000-480   2         40       VAX 6000-460
 
  ---      ES/9000-440   2         34       VAX 6000-460
 
4381 MG23  ES/9000-320   1         22       VAX 6000-440
 
  ---      ES/9000-260   1         18       VAX 6000-430
 
4381 MG22  ES/9000-210   1         12       VAX 6000-420

4381 MG21  ES/9000-190   1	    8       VAX 6000-410	
-----------------------------------------------------------

9370 REPLACEMENT 
----------------

WHAT'S NEW:    New logic, same frame 

ADVANTAGE:     More performance for existing customers.  Support 
               for MVS/ESA; new remote system management capabilities,
	       Expanded Storage support. 

DISADVANTAGE:  Limited performance for MVS/ESA (not until July 91).  Still 
               difficult to use if not managed centrally. 

AVAILABILITY:  December System/370 mode, July '91 in ESA mode

PRICE:         $36K-39K/MIPS
 
DIGITAL POSITIONING:
---------------------------------------------------------------
OLD NAME    NEW NAME   #CPUS      MIPS        VAX POSITIONING
---------------------------------------------------------------
9370-90    ES/9000-170   1         6.5          VAX 4000-300
 
9370-80    ES/9000-150   1          5           VAX 3800
 
9370-60    ES/9000-130   1          3           VAX 3800
 
9370-40    ES/9000-120   1          2           VAX 3100
---------------------------------------------------------------

All ES/9000s from the 9000-190 and larger support one vector processor per CPU.

Software
--------

There were numerous new versions of software products announced, with the 
emphasis on improved integration and interconnection.  Key elements include:

	- New versions of the MVS, VM, and VSE operating systems
	- PR/SM support across all ES/9000 processors
	- New versions of DB2 and SQL/DS, providing limited distributed data 
	  access enhancements
	- SystemView, IBM's system management vision, which will include 
	  SAA, AIX, VSE, and other IBM and non-IBM environments
	
IBM will now position the three major operating systems for the S/390
as a single family, all of which may run across all S/390 hardware platforms.