By: Kim Cheung - kim@serenity-systems.com
WiseManager(TM) utilizes IBM's RIPL (Remote IPL)
technology which is built into every copy of Warp Server Advance, Warp Server SMP,
and even Warp Server Entry. You don't need IBM's WSOD to use WiseManager(TM)
- just standard Warp Server: although WiseManager(TM)
can complement WSOD's functionality and both can run on the same system.
The OS/2 RIPL technology has been used by many of IBM's enterprise and bank
customers for years - and some of them will continue to use it for years to come
because they are not convinced that WSOD and Java are the way to move forward to
Network Computing. However, the traditional RIPL facility is ungodly complicated
and almost impossible to get working properly by the average OS/2 shop - WiseManager(TM) changes that. What WiseManager(TM)
offers is a set of tools which builds an infrastructure in such a way that makes
it feasible for the "smaller" companies to benefit from this wonderful
technology. In addition, the traditional RIPL facility provides very primitive
facilities to address the issue of application deployment in a diskless environment.
WiseManager(TM) fills that hole as well.
The issue of centralized management of PCs is not about saving the cost of hard
drives - it's about regaining control from the chaos and help reducing the cost
of ownership for these wonderful beasts. With WiseManager(TM),
getting OS/2 up and ready to run on a new PC takes only 20+ seconds - yes, 20+ seconds:
not the hours (and sometimes days) that we're accustom to. In addition, deploying
applications to the desktop is a simple matter of dragging and dropping an ICON
onto that machine from the manager's station. For example, getting StarOffice
5.0 up and running on all of the PCs in your organization only takes a few mouse
drag and drop from the manager's desktop! There's even a group application dropping
option that can drop sets of applications to groups of PCs.
WiseManager(TM) goes beyond OS/2 installation
and application deployment. It also addresses the issue of disaster recovery
and desktop maintenance. All of the PC's configuration and settings are centrally
maintained. In case of a corrupted desktop, simply delete the machine from WiseManager(TM) and rebuilt the machine - WiseManager(TM)
is smart enough to retain important user and configuration files throughout the
rebuild process. In case of a hardware failure, simply replace the machine and
change the network address from the manager's station. In both cases, you can
be up and running in minutes. In addition, since there is no hard drive on the
desktop PCs, the desktop users have no need to perform any backup - that's done
at the server.
WiseManager(TM) encourages the use of simple form
factor PCs - although you can still use traditional PCs. For instance, the NLX
specification is an all-in-one form factor spec. which allows PC manufacturers to
come up with booksize computers. For most applications, all you will add in these
mini-PCs would be a CD-ROM, and maybe a floppy drive. Most of these NLX machines
have built-in network cards, video, and so forth. Some even comes with built-in
sound chips.
Managed Client(TM) Computing is not about taking
control away from the desktop user. It's not about intrusion into the personal
space of a corporate PC user. It's not about shoving Java down the throat to your
customer. It's all about reducing the cost of support for these users in such
a way as to encourage them to be innovative and productive with their PCs.
Over the last 3+ years, this customer rarely call for support - this is pretty
amazing considering that they have no in-house computer skill - just a bunch of
non-computer savvy workers. OS/2 (CONNECT) just ran and ran - along with Faxworks
network, RelishNet, Object Desktop, BackupWiz - all native OS/2 applications. The
only Microsoft application they run is the Win3.1 version of Office because we simply
couldn't justify putting them through the insult of using SmartSuite for OS/2.
They make their money on swimware - and don't want to waste it on computers.
Now because of the Y2K concern, they decided to upgrade their Peer to Peer network
to the Managed Client(TM) Computing model. We will
be putting in a server with a backup server running Warp Server Advanced. We will
replace all of the 486 machines with booksize NLX machines running diskless (actually
we might use their old hard drives as swapper drives). With WiseManager(TM),
all 12 stations can be managed from one station (or over the modem) - yet everybody
can keep their own individual desktop and continue to run Merlin on their desktop
- RIPL booting from the server.
There is debate whether we will use a Netfinity server. The present feeling
is that we don't trust IBM's OS/2 hardware support and we might use a white box,
or Compaq server.
We will also upgrade all of their OS/2 software, plus we will put Star Office
5.0 for OS/2 in there - hopefully displacing the M$ junk.
The only unfortunate thing is their ADP and Factoring software supplier refuses
to supply a DOS version of their software that's Y2K ready. They will only do W95.
So, we will have one W95 machine and run NetOp or RSM to access the machine over
the network.
This is the kind of customer IBM said would be wrong to use OS/2. Yet, they've
been very happy for the last 3 years and they will be even happier once we are done
upgrading them to the Managed Client(TM) model.
For OS/2 ISVs, WiseManager(TM) offer them an opportunity
to leverage the investment they already made with OS/2 and a foot into the door
in an emerging Network Computing market. They don't need to invest the millions
IBM wants them to spend in rewriting all their applications in Java. Most well
packaged OS/2 native programs can fit into the Managed Client(TM)
computing model fairly easily - using the tools we provide.
For consultants, VARs, and computer resellers with OS/2 skills, WiseManager(TM) offer them an opportunity to leverage their hard learned
skill and help move their customers away from the pain and suffering of what M$
technology is doing to them. The Managed Client(TM)
Computing model encourages outsourcing IT expenses into service dollars. This is
about reducing headache and about happy customers.
Regarding the issue of native OS/2 applications, we are actively seeking and
forming business relationships with OS/2 ISVs to promote their products in the Managed
Client(TM) Computing environment. Our goal is to
have sufficient business applications ready out-of-the-box whereby System Administrators,
consultants, or VARs can just deploy with a single drag-and-drop mouse action.
We already have business relationships with a number of the leading OS/2 ISVs -
we expect a lot more to come as we progress. We believe existing OS/2 applications
will serve the computing needs of 80% of business workers. The rest of the 20%
can still be a traditional W95 machine acting as network citizens in this model.
For more information on WiseManager(TM) and Managed
Client(TM) Computing, please visit our web site at
http://www.serenity-systems.com
Marketing Director, TouchVoice Corporation, kimwaic@deltanet.com
http://www.deltanet.com/touchvoice
(626)288-7774x211 (voice) (626)572-8567 (fax)
Executive Director, Serenity Systems International, kim@serenity-systems.com
http://www.serenity-systems.com
(972)966-8072