Conference ulysse::rdb_vms_competition

	T.

	The data lens driver lets you adapt to all sorts of stuff.
	We have it and it works fine.  Call 1-800-DEC-SALES for a
	contact.

	Regards,
	rcs

>	The data lens driver lets you adapt to all sorts of stuff.
>	We have it and it works fine.  Call 1-800-DEC-SALES for a
>	contact.

Wel since I'm in Australia, that may present a little bit of a problem.

Can you tell me if this is a product that DEC sells (at least in the U.S.)?

Is it written by somebody else (if so who)??

Thanks for the help.

Mark.

    It is LOTUS techology. If DEC does not sell it in Australia, then
    contact LOTUS. They will be able to tell you how to order it. 
    
    Also see page 103 of the RSVP catalog. I would not think that you would
    have to go to SOMA to buy the product. They must have a distributor in
    Australia!?
    
    Ken

I rang a guy at Lotus yesterday. He said that there was currently no way 
to get Lotus to talk to Rdb unless you were running Lotus on the VAX.

WHo is SOMA?

If I can get a phone number of somebody who knows what they are talking 
about (even one in the U.S. would be fine), I could get this guy off my back. 

Besides, it's probably something I should know about anyway.

Thanks,

Mark.

    Again I refer you to the RSVP Catalog on page 212.
    
    		SOMA Inc
    
    		Ian Richmond
    		145 Front Street East S 300
    		Toronto, Ontario, Canada 		(not USA)
    		M5A 1E3
    
    		(416)365-7117 phone
    		416(365-9389  fax
    
    
    good luck,
    
    Ken

Ken,

Thanks very much.

I'll give them a ring.

Cheers,

Mark.

    Mark,
    
    I thought of another solution. If you are having trouble sourcing the
    Data Lens driver, think of the problems you will have getting support!
    
    Why not try and sell DECquery for extracting the database information
    and putting the data into a file who's format is acceptable to LOTUS.
    This requires an extra step or two for the user, but DECquery can be
    used to supply data for all the other PC tools and applications. Plus
    you can get support and pricing!

I'm not familiar with Lotus' windows version, but DECquery can pass data
directly to MS EXCEL via DDE/OLE.

\dave

I believe this customer already has DECQuery ... he specificaly asked about
the data lens driver so he could eliminmate the extra steps.

Cheers,

Mark.

We sell the datalens for Lotus through DECdirect.  The part # for a 1-user 
license is QB-GVHAD-WA, $95.  A 20 user license costs $995, QB-GVHAD-WB.  Not 
as efficient on PC's with limited memory as DECquery, and it doesn't give you 
the same ability to define a subset, but it does provide Rdb access. 

Cross-posted from the SQL_SERVICES notesfile.  More info available there.
    
    Deb
    
              <<< NOTES_DISK:[NOTES$LIBRARY]SQL_SERVICES.NOTE;1 >>>
                          -< VAX SQL/SERVICES Forum >-
================================================================================
Note 152.13                     Lotus/Rdb Access?                       13 of 16
NOVA::WASSERMAN "Deb Wasserman, DTN 264-1863"       176 lines  15-MAY-1991 12:27
                    -< More info on the Lotus / Rdb driver >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    More info on the Lotus/Rdb driver from Bob Rustici:
    =========================================================
    
Hello,

Below is a quick summary sheet on the Lotus 1-2-3 Release 3 DataLens Driver
that supports Rdb and RMS data. This is an interesting development in that
Digital is producing and servicing the product for Soma Inc. Services is
for the U.S. only for now, but an English version can be available world-wide.
A common question asked is if this product "competes" with the DECquery
product. The answer is most likely will be no. This product will allow a 
dedicated Lotus user to remain inside their enviroment and still get
easy access to Rdb or RMS data. 

Regards,
Bob Rustici
DMSS02::RUSTICI
=======================================================================


		  DataLens* Driver for Digital* Networks   

PRICE:  
======
(this includes a $215 5 Callpack Desktop Service  
and 10 Callpack with the 20 User)
Single User Package 	QB-GVHAD-WA/CBG		$95
20 User Package		QB-GVHAD-WB/CBG		$995

LIST OF RESOURCES
=================
Hot-line Support - The Personal Computing Integration Pre-Sales Support Group 
can provide technical assistance on more detailed question and can fulfill 
requests for promotional litature. Call 508-486-2511 or DTN 226-2511 or send 
VAXmail to SPCTRM::PCSGLINE @LJO.

Network Software Kit - A Digital network copy of a the Soma DataLens Driver 
can be found on DMSS02 as a PCSA Disk service. Only software will be supplied. 
If you wish for more detailed knowledge of the product you are advised to 
purchase a copy via the DECdirect catalog (internal cost is less than $15). 
Follow the directions in Appendix A on how to install the porduct. You are 
free to use this product for demonstration or even internal useage. 

Special Orders - If the 20 user kit is not enough for your site sale, than 
call Jim Dennis at 508-486-2767 or DTN 226-2767 for quanitities larger than 
50 users.

DESCRIPTION
===========	
The Soma DataLens Driver for Digital Networks lets PC users of Lotus 1-2-3 
access data stored anywhere in a Digital Equipment Corporation VAX* network. 
With the DataLens Driver for Digital Networks users can:

- use Lotus 1-2-3 to analyze data in corporate databases
- update PC worksheets with the latest corporate information
- avoid re-typing or manually converting data into worksheets

Standard 1-2-3 Commands:
The DataLens Driver for Digital Networks allows users to retrieve information 
from VAX-based applications using 1-2-3's built-in data query commands and 
@functions. Users do not need to learn anything new to start getting the 
benefits of corporate data access. The same commands used to work with a 1-2-3 
database table are used to manipulate external data stored in VAX databases. 

Access Rdb and RMS Data:
The driver lets users get data from Rdb/VMS databases directly and from 
VAX RMS* files using Digital's RdbAccess* family of products.  

Corporate data can be combined with local data stored in a 1-2-3 worksheet or 
in other data sources such as PC-based database management systems. The 
DataLens Driver for Digital Networks uses Lotus' DataLens technology, and 
provides the ability to integrate many different sources of data without 
having to learn a new set of tools for each.

Data Security:
The DataLens Driver for Digital Networks takes advantage of the security 
mechanisms built into Rdb and VAX/VMS*, allowing restricted access on a user 
or group basis. The driver provides only read/retrieve capabilities and does 
not permit users to modify the information in the corporate database.

Client/Server - Network Application Support:
The Soma DataLens Driver for Digital Networks builds upon Digital's Network 
Application Support (NAS) strategy to provide PC users with access to NAS 
data sources. Working with PATHWORKS for DOS* and SQL/Services*, the driver 
turns Lotus 1-2-3, the most widely used software application in the world, 
into a client application for Digital's database servers.

DataLens Capabilities:
The DataLens Driver for Digital Networks provides support for read-only 
Lotus 1-2-3 data analysis commands and @functions, including:

- Table and field listing
- Table query
- Relational operations such as table-join, etc.
- Data-type and character-set conversion between VAX and PC formats
- Data aggregation functions
- Macros and templates

In addition, the driver provides:
- Support for CDD/Repository* (previously CDD/Plus*) data definitions
- Optional database browsing for non-CDD/Repository data
- Transparent access to Rdb and RMS data

SQL/Services Connectivity Tool:
The NASCHECK utility program evaluates the client PC's ability to connect 
to a SQL/Services server.

HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS
=====================
The following PC hardware is required to install and use the Driver:
	- an "IBM compatible" 80286 or 80386 personal computer using one of 
	  the network controllers identified below and DOS V3.3 or later. 
	  All DEC PC are supported.
	- 180 kilobytes of extended memory in addition to the memory required 
	  for PATHWORKS for DOS and Lotus 1-2-3 Release 3.1. A total of 640 
	  kilobytes of real memory and 564 kilobytes of extended memory  will 
	  be required.
	- 150 kilobytes of disk space.
	- an Ethernet network connection between your personal computer and 
	  the VAX. 

Acceptable network controllers include:

 Supported Network Devices
Controller	Description
1		Digital EtherWORKS LC
2		Digital EtherWORKS Turbo
3		3COM 3C523 Etherlink/MC for Microchannel PS/2
4		3COM 3C503 Etherlink II/IBM 

SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS
=====================
On the PC Client
- PATHWORKS for DOS (previously known as PCSA* Client for DOS) V3.0,V3.1 
  or V4.0
- Lotus 1-2-3 Release 3.1
- DOS 3.3 or later

On the VAX Server
- PATHWORKS for VMS* V3.0,V3.1 or V4.0 and 
- Rdb Version 3.1 or 4.0 for Rdb data CDD/Repository V4.2 and RdbAccess for 
  VAX RMS V1.0 for non-Rdb data.


APPENDIX A
How to install the Network Kit

- Copy the PCSA disk container file from DMSS02::SOMA$DATALENS:SOMADATALENS.DSK
  to your VAX and then connect via the PCSA USE command to transfer the files 
  to a disk.

- Once the files have been copied to a disk verify your PC's network 
  connectivity by running the NASCHECK command from the disk. The program will 
  prompt you for Node name and user account. You should receive confirmation 
  that a valid connection was established.

- Run the INSTALL command and follow the instructions

To Use the DataLens Driver:

- From Lotus 1-2-3 enter the command /Data External Use

- Enter Node name, User name, Password and the Database name. 

- Select one of the tables from Rdb and you will be prompted for a range 
  name. Press ENTER to accept the default value.

- From this point on you using the Lotus 1-2-3 DataLens features you can:
	List Fields
	Specify Input Range
	Specify Criteria Range
	Specify Output Range
	Perform Queries.