IBM Debuts First Servers Powered by Silicon-On-Insulator Technology - Product Announcement

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, May 29, 2000

IBM Monday announced a new line of AS/400e servers powered by the world's first production microchips made of silicon-on-insulator (SOI) transistors and copper wiring.

The addition of SOI alone can increase performance up to 20-30 percent beyond the use of copper by protecting the millions of transistors on a chip with a blanket of insulation, reducing harmful electrical leakage that wastes power. IBM was the first chipmaker to substitute copper for aluminum in chip wiring to boost performance and is now the first to perfect high-volume SOI manufacturing.

"Silicon-on-insulator and copper chip technologies are a powerful one-two punch for AS/400e server performance," said Doug Grose, vice president, IBM Server Development. "Our investments in R&D are paying big dividends for the IBM server business and most importantly, for our customers."

"From innovative new chip designs to highly integrated e-business solutions, the AS/400 server line continues to deliver leading technology for e-business," added Patrice Mitchell, vice president, AS/400 product management.

The new AS/400 servers include a powerful high-end enterprise system that is 3.6 times faster than the previous generation of AS/400 servers. The new chip technology contributes to substantial performance improvements in the product line. The servers are designed to handle highly complex core B2B applications, including supply chain and customer relationship management, as well as solutions like server-side Java, Domino and business intelligence.

Extends AS/400 Applications to Pervasive Devices The new AS/400e servers support eXtensible Markup Language (XML), allowing customers to extend AS/400 applications to pervasive devices like cell phones and handhelds. For example, using a direct wireless connection to AS/400e, sales people can look up product availability information and place orders from an IBM WorkPad or other personal digital assistant. With real time access from handhelds, sales people can confirm orders while sitting in a customer office, thereby improving customer service and increasing sales.

IBM also introduced new entry servers -- the AS/400e 270, designed to give small to medium businesses quadruple the performance of its predecessor and new Dedicated Servers for Domino, designed to run multiple Lotus Domino applications, including email, Web serving and customer relationship management applications.

In a related action, IBM reduced prices on its current line of AS/400 700 series servers, providing customers a smooth upgrade path both within the 700 series and to the new 800 series models. This gives customers a choice of servers based on the type of workloads required as they grow in the new Internet economy.

Other highlights include:

- Java enhancements that deliver up to 65 percent improvements in Java performance.

- Integrated Netfinity Server, featuring a 700 MHz Intel Pentium III, that plugs into AS/400 , allowing customers to combine AS/400 applications with Windows NT Server and Windows 2000 Server applications on a single server.

- AS/400e series Model 250 entry server packaged and priced to meet the requirements of a small business. It includes popular packaged software and is designed for a wide range of industry-specific AS/400 solutions. It offers expandability and robust availability features such as disk storage protection with RAID 5.

IBM Global Financing is offering deferred payments until November 1, 2000 for qualified customers in North America who order an AS/400 9406 Model 170 or Model 720, 730, or 740 system or upgrade by June 30, 2000, with installation by July 31, 2000.

In addition to powering the AS/400, SOI chip technology will boost the performance of RS/6000 servers later this year. SOI will also serve as a building block for the IBM Power4 processor, which is intended for use in future generations of both AS/400 and RS/6000 servers.

Transistors and wires are the fundamental elements in all chips. In 1998, less than a year after announcing it had improved chip wiring by substituting more efficient copper for aluminum, IBM shipped the industry's first copper-based chips. That same year, IBM introduced a process for building more efficient microchip transistors using SOI. Like its rapid adoption of copper, the integration of SOI into mainstream production just over 18 months after its introduction is evidence of the company's speed in moving new technologies from IBM Research labs into products.

Both AS/400e 800 series servers and OS/400 V4R5 are scheduled for general availability in August 2000.

For more information, visit www.ibm.com/as400.>

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