Barr Systems Announces High-Performance Mainframe Communications for Microsoft Windows NT-Based Networks

Gainesville,Fla. - Barr Systems, Inc. introduces a network integration solution that lets companies connect their mainframe computer systems to their open systems networks over existing communications technology. The new solution, BARR/SYNC for Microsoft Networks, is a Microsoft Windows NT-based high-performance connectivity offering that provides a foundation for e-business and other enterprise applications without requiring re-engineering of existing host software or networking infrastructure.

The Barr Enterprise Print Server is a PC-based enterprise output management system designed to receive data from multiple sources (e.g., mainframes, AS/400s, TCP/IP hosts, network users) and distribute data to multiple destinations (e.g., printers, report distribution systems, and electronic storage). As an optional software module to the Print Server, BARR / RJE gives access to large host computers or mainframes with powerful computer languages, large databases, and increased computational capacities from a desktop PC.

BARR/SYNC for Microsoft Networks can be configured as a link service for Microsoft's Servers, or it can be configured as a network adapter. As a Local Area Network (LAN), the product communicates with the mainframe via existing intermediate controllers. As a link service, it connects to the mainframe via SNA Server, Host Integration Server or an SNA Workstation.

The new Barr offering connects Synchronous Data Link Control (SDLC)-based mainframe networks to modern corporate networks by translating between SDLC, part of the Systems Network Architecture (SNA) framework pioneered by IBM, and modern network protocols such as TCP/IP. In the process, BARR/SYNC for Microsoft Networks supports high-bandwidth enterprise applications by implementing sophisticated data transmission capabilities.

Independent testing by the Gartner Group demonstrates that BARR/SYNC for Microsoft Networks can double traffic on the SDLC link. It does this by supporting special link parameters that allow full-duplex communications, or simultaneous sending and receiving of data on the same Barr adapter. Performance can be improved even when most of the data goes in one direction, since acknowledgments can be transmitted as the software receives data.

About Barr Systems

Barr Systems' software and hardware products provide enterprise-wide printing and connectivity solutions to organizations ranging from Fortune 1,000 corporations to small businesses. Incorporated in 1978, the company serves an international customer base that has installed more than 35,000 products. Experts in print management and host connectivity, Barr Systems works in alliance with other communications and networking vendors to offer complete systems integration. Thousands of financial, government, and education groups have turned to Barr for their print and file management solutions. Barr products help these businesses print on demand more than 300 billion pages each year. For more information about Barr Systems and its full range of network communications and printing solutions, call 800-227-7797, or visit the Barr Web site at barrsystems.com.