OS/2 Warp Connect - It Makes Sense and Dollars ============================================== Whether you've decided to migrate to a more advanced operating system from Windows 3.1 or you're still determining if the move is worthwhile, you need to explore all the options. With all the Windows 95 hype and fanfare, make sure you don't overlook OS/2 Warp Connect. Before you make a final decision, evaluate this offering from IBM. Migrating to OS/2 Warp Connect is definitely worth considering. This paper explains why its definitely worth doing. Migrating from Windows 3.x to OS/2 Warp Connect can and will save businesses money. These savings result from OS/2 Warp Connect's lower migration costs and its proven benefits, such as stability, true multitasking, and memory protection. Effective use of technology lowers the total cost of computing as well. Companies that migrate to OS/2 Warp Connect today can recover their migration costs by the time a second, more stable release of Windows 95 is available and supported by native 32-bit applications. OS/2 Warp Connect is the logical choice for customers who want to take advantage of the productivity and business benefits of a 32-bit operating system and are ready to do it now. This paper uses GartnerGroup reports as a guide for discussing the savings achievable from migrating from Windows 3.x to OS/2 Warp Connect. The conclusion is clear -- migrating to OS/2 Warp Connect provides greater benefits and correspondingly greater savings today. Reasons to Upgrade ++++++++++++++++++ Analysts from GartnerGroup state several compelling reasons to migrate from Windows 3.X to a 32-bit operating system. These are: * multithreading * multitasking * 32-bit memory addressing.1 Multithreading allows a program to execute faster by doing several functions in parallel. Multitasking allows a user to perform several tasks at once, such as faxing an order, printing a report, and updating a spreadsheet. The 32-bit memory addressing can increase the amount of information that a computer can manage. According to GartnerGroup, these mechanisms will "provide a robust platform that facilitates significant functional changes in PC usage." 1 Both Windows 95 and OS/2 Warp Connect offer these three functions. On the surface, Windows 95 and OS/2 Warp Connect seem to have comparable features; however, there are several major differences to consider when comparing their functions and their costs of ownership. New Features Require New Applications with Windows 95 One difference is in the ability of applications to take advantage of the operating systems' multithreading, multitasking, and memory protection features. While native Windows 95 applications (this is, applications written specifically for Windows 95) can use this functionality, existing Windows applications running on Windows 95 cannot.2 GartnerGroup states that "users will not realize the full benefits of Windows 95 unless native Windows 95 applications are adopted." 3 For example, although the user's current Windows 3.x applications will be protected as a group from system crashes, the memory protection does not occur between these legacy applications themselves.3 In addition to the lack of protection for Windows 3.x applications, their presence inhibits Windows 95 from providing preemptive multitasking. This means that the presence of just one Windows 3.x or DOS application inhibits the performance even for the new Windows 95 applications. OS/2 Warp Connect Offers Immediate Advantages +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Dataquest predicts that "the first real wave of native Windows 95 applications will start arriving approximately six months after Windows 95 ships." 4 Migrating to new applications to get the full benefits of a 32-bit operating system adds to the initial dollar outlay for migration. Furthermore, waiting for the availability of Windows 95 native applications delays the associated savings from migrating to a 32-bit operating system. With OS/2 Warp Connect, users can get the productivity benefits of a 32-bit operating system immediately without needing to upgrade applications. Existing Windows 3.x applications as well as native OS/2 applications can take advantage of OS/2 Warp Connect's multithreading, multitasking, and memory protection features. Thus applications do not have to be upgraded to native, 32-bit versions in order to utilize these benefits of OS/2 Warp Connect. This lowers the initial dollar outlay of OS/2 Warp Connect by as much as $845 per user.1 Connect users can elect to upgrade applications based on the merits of the new version, not to make the operating system effective. Since users are not waiting for new applications to migrate, they can realize the savings associated with migrating to a 32-bit operating system without delay. Other differences to consider are the stability and maturity of the two operating systems. GartnerGroup cautions that "while Windows 95 is designed to be a robust operating system, it is still the first release of a new system." 2 As a result, GartnerGroup recommends that "most users moving to Windows 95 from Windows 3.x or DOS should wait for a stable second release (1H96; 0.8 probability) before migrating." 5 In contrast, OS/2 Warp Connect is proven and reliable at running mission-critical applications. Many companies currently rely on OS/2 Warp Connect to run their essential business applications. OS/2 Warp customer, Walter Leonard, CIO of Wachovia Bank, says, "OS/2 Warp is the most reliable and industrial-strength operating system. When you put 500 LANs out there with no technicians close by, stability is very important." Already in its third release, OS/2 Warp Connect has years of testing, debugging, and fine tuning behind it. With OS/2 Warp Connect, there's no need to wait for a more stable release. Savings from Migrating ++++++++++++++++++++++ Total cost of ownership consists of three major elements. * Technical support system costs * Administrative costs * End-user operating costs Achievable savings are found in these same three areas when migrating from Windows 3.x to OS/2 Warp Connect. Technical Support System Savings -------------------------------- The key to leveraging technical support costs is including technology as a major piece of the technical support system. Effective technical support strategies include: * Automated software and data distribution * Automated configuration management * On-line documentation and help * Help-desk automation * Protocol independence. OS/2 Warp Connect incorporates technology advancements that help reduce technical support costs. Networking technology has made automated software and data distribution as well as automated configuration management possible. These functions lower technical support costs by reducing the time it takes to install new software and controlling the configuration to avoid future problems. OS/2 Warp Connect's configuration management makes it possible to place a preconfigured machine on each user's desk. Therefore, a technical support person can better perform problem determination for a particular machine as well as manipulate files on the hard disk and fix problems remotely. Remote system control not only saves travel time for the support department but is also reduces waiting time for the end-users. OS/2 Warp Connect comes with excellent online documentation and help including a self-guided tutorial. The tutorial provides many features that lessen the educational burden on the technical support staff. The tutorial makes it easier for Windows 3.x users to make the migration. When a user is uncertain about a particular feature, just a click of a button shows the user an explanation of the comparable feature in Windows 3.x. To get users more comfortable with a new function, the tutorial has a practice option. This Try It option takes the user out of the tutorial Window and back onto his desktop. Once on the desktop, the user gets step-by-step directions to lead him through performing the task. As a user's skill level grows, the tutorial can be set to expert level to teach advanced functions that build on the skills the user already has. These are only some of the reasons that OS/2 received the highest scores for both Online Help and Tutorials in a recent PC Magazine readers survey. 6 Help desk automation is enhanced by the expert system technology incorporated in OS/2 Warp Connect. AskPSP, an expert system, serves as an online personal help desk. With its natural conversational interface, AskPSP quickly clarifies a problem by providing the next logical set of questions based on previous responses. Therefore, discovering possible solutions is faster and easier than more traditional problem determination methods. Furthermore, AskPSP provides a success probability with each suggested solution, thus identifying which solutions to try first. End user utilization of this feature can reduce the number of calls to the manned help desk. Help desk employees taking advantage of AskPSP can reduce the time it takes to solve problems and can reduce the number of calls for vendor support. This exclusive feature can lead to savings in technical support and, as a by-product, enhance the work experience for the end-user. Protocol independence represents support for the commonly used networking protocols based on open industry standards. Protocol independence lowers technical support costs by simplifying system configurations and limiting the number of interfaces that people have to learn and use. OS/2 Warp Connect allows users to connect to servers with different protocols from the same network card. This simplifies connectivity to heterogeneous networks within and outside your company. Furthermore, OS/2 Warp Connect provides a choice of server connections including: NetWare, Windows NT, OS/2 LAN Server, AS/400, AIX, UNIX, MVS and VM. This choice is unmatched in the industry. OS/2 Warp is a robust and reliable system with an easy-to-use, intuitive interface that minimizes the need for advanced technical intervention. And, there are several aspects of Windows 95 that may actually increase user requirements for intervention. Some examples are: * Incompatibility problems with existing applications. Jim Seymour of PC Week wrote, "Serious incompatibilities with DOS and Win 3.1 apps may prove crippling." 7 * Inconsistent use of drag-and-drop. For example, adding an application to the Start Menu differs depending on which level of the Start Menu you want to modify. * Unproven reliability. Nicholas Petreley of Infoworld said, "I fear that unless Microsoft goes back to the drawing board on this operating system, only light users will get anything out of it." Although, Microsoft did fix the bug that caused resource problems with multithreaded applications "to a degree", the fix causes Windows 95 to be less stable. 8 As demonstrated above, leveraging technology can augment technical support; and therefore, can significantly cut resource requirements and dollars spent in this area. Administrative Savings ---------------------- Tasks viewed as administrative tasks include: * asset management * security * policy and procedure enforcement * audits * purchasing * installation * moves and changes. Administrative savings come from the OS/2 Network SignOn Coordinator feature. There are very few companies that have only one server. Often times a user needs to connect to a variety of servers such as NetWare or OS/2 LAN Server for PC connectivity, OS/400, AIX or VM servers for line-of-business applications. With the NetWork SignON coordinator, the end-user can sign on to any combination of servers in the enterprise with one logon. During this logon any login scripts for Netware are still executed. Also, passwords for any combination of these servers can be changed in a single step. OS/2 Warp Connect can simplify policy and procedure management. The integration of the REXX programming language lets you customize users' desktops in such a way as to enforce certain policies. For example, it may be desirable to remove functionality from the desktop of some users to prevent such users from altering settings, creating shadows or deleting items. OS/2 Warp Connect contains built-in connectivity features that gives the user more flexibility. With the built-in networking, the user can install networking capabilities during installation or later. While the user has the flexibility to use many different servers, OS/2 Warp Connect gives the user the same graphical interface to access their choice of servers. End-User Operation Savings -------------------------- The most expensive cost category is end-user operations. These operations are all the tasks that end-users need to perform to maintain and effectively use their PC. These tasks are typically not a part of their work assignment. Tasks included in this category of costs are data management and learning. Data management costs include the cost of re-creating data not backed up. A1992 study by 3M, reported that 24 million work days were lost in the United States alone by workers re-creating lost data.9 The end-user costs associated with using an unreliable PC client are high. The OS/2 Warp Connect architecture and memory management design provide the necessary reliability, integrity and robustness to protect users from losing data. One Microsoft document, 10 intimated that the Windows 95 design choices prioritized application compatibility over reliability and robustness. As discussed in the Technical Support Savings section OS/2 Warp Connect has very sophisticated features that facilitate learning. These advanced features can lead to significant savings in end-user training. The Productivity Value of OS/2 Warp Connect +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Beyond being easy to use, OS/2 Warp Connect offers many exclusive productivity features. For example, a user can set up his system so that commonly used applications start automatically at boot time. Doing Tasks and Managing Projects with Ease ------------------------------------------- IBM's object technology enables the user to make the transition from an application-centered to task-centered computing. A user can pick and choose specific functions from various applications that are needed to accomplish a task. Therefore, with the programs in the OS/2 Warp Bonus Pak, an end user can fax a document to someone listed in his address book directly from the desktop, and in the background use a modem located on another user's machine. The user doesn't need to open multiple applications; all this is done in a few short steps using drag-and-drop. Below is an example that demonstrates the dramatic savings in the number of steps for one task when using OS/2 Warp Connect rather than Windows 3.X. Scenario: Fax a memo to a business associate and continue with another task. OS/2 Warp Connect Windows or Windows for Workgroups 3.11 ================= ====================================== 1. Open Address Book 1. Start Application 2. Drag business cards 2. Select File from pull-down menu onto document icon 3. Drag memo to fax machine 3. Select Open 4. Click on OK for cover sheet 4. Select Document 5. Do other work 5. Click on OK 6. Wait for the document to Open 7. Select File from pull down menu 8. Select Printer Setup 9. Select the Fax printer 10. Click on OK 11. Select File from pull down menu 12. Select Print 13. Click on OK 14. Key in phone no. & cover sheet info. 15. Click on OK 16. Wait until faxing is over 17. Close application 18. Do other work OS/2 Warp Connect provides similar savings for many other tasks such as scheduling a meeting or accessing multiple Web pages at the same time. Folder Work Areas is another way that users can manage their desktop for different projects. A user can create a folder for each different project currently under way. The folder could contain an address book, documents or anything else associated with that project. Whenever that folder is opened all the documents and applications associated with that project are reopened exactly the same way they were closed last time. When work on the project is completed, the user simply closes the folder, and all active tasks from the folder close automatically. The same concept can also be applied where multiple users have to share the same machine. In this case, each user could have a folder with their name on it. The folder would include all their applications and data. Each user can assign a password to their folder to ensure privacy. The BonusPak for OS/2 Warp Connect delivers significant value. IBM Works contains a word processor, spreadsheet, and database all with the same look and feel. The common interface and integration can reduce end-user learning time and increase productivity. Other applications found in the Bonus Pak include HyperACCESS Lite, VideoIN for OS/2, Multimedia Viewer and FaxWorks for OS/2 . Being More Productive with Connectivity +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The connectivity solution in OS/2 Warp Connect is quite powerful. It provides a wide range of options that gives users connectivity anytime, anywhere. A business may use some of the connectivity options, all of the options, or even add more encompassing enterprise features. Peer-to-Peer Connectivity ------------------------- Peer-to-peer connectivity allows a PC to connect directly to another PC without using a third system as a server. With PCs directly connected, users can share resources such as printers, files and modems. For home users and small businesses, peer connectivity may provide a complete solution. For companies that need to access a server as well as peers, OS/2 Warp Connect makes it possible to have a peer connection and attach to a server over the same network card simultaneously. This simultaneous connection is a breakthrough for companies that have had to choose between a peer or a server connection because each choice required its own connectivity mechanism. Remote Connectivity ------------------- To enable the ever increasing number of mobile users to work when they are away from the office, OS/2 Warp Connect contains LAN Distance. With this built-in capability, a remote worker can dial into the office, and have access to the resources on his machine and to network resources. He can do anything from the road that he does while he's in the office. Merging onto the information superhighway is the wave of the 90's. The information superhighway gives businesses a vast pool of information -- information that can be used for market research, competitive analysis, process improvement, and much more. OS/2 Warp makes it easy to access the Internet using a LAN gateway or a direct phone line. Better yet, the user can use both options at the same time. With the complete set of tools included in the Internet Access Kit the user can visit Web sites, Gopher servers, FTP, and browse newsreaders. OS/2 Warp Connect also includes the ability to play any audio file from the Internet or display most of the popular graphic file formats with the Multimedia Viewer. OS/2 Warp Connect further enhances productivity with two collaborative computing applications. The first is Person to Person (P2P), which lets people work together on the same document from remote PCs over standard telephone lines or from an office network. The second application, Lotus Notes Express, simplifies sharing information and other aspects of collaborative computing. In a study by International Data Corporation (IDC), 65 companies that used Lotus Notes in a variety of ways had an average return on investment of 179 percent. One company had 1666 percent return on their Notes investment.11 The potential savings that OS/2 Warp Connect offers by including Lotus Notes Express is quite substantial. All the productivity enhancers just described are included in OS/2 Warp Connect at no extra charge. Deciding What Makes Sense and Dollars for You +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ When you take a look at what factors affect the overall cost of ownership for businesses, the issues are numerous and complex. This paper outlines several factors and features that you need to explore closely before making a migration decision. Bundled functionality that may not seem important at a first glance may actually end up saving your company a lot of money. There are also enterprise-wide concerns such as security, openness to support the diversity of computer systems in the enterprise, globalization, systems management, and technical support that need to be factored into the decision. The desktop operating system choice is just one element that needs to fit into the entire enterprise Information Technology (IT) infrastructure. The PC desktop operating system choice has to plug into the existing infrastructure, not require its replacement. The intent of this paper is not to proclaim that there is only one logical operating system choice for everyone. We only want to ensure that you see through big-budgeted hype and dig below the covers to see what is really there and how much it will cost. Be sure to look at the alternative of OS/2 Warp Connect. When you do, you have a better chance of making the right business decision for now and for the future. References: +++++++++++ 1 - GartnerGroup. (May, 1994) Moving to Chicago: How Much will this Relocation Cost? (Personal Computing Research Note) Stamford, CT: M. Litvinoff. 2 - GartnerGroup. (December, 1994) The Road to Windows 95 (Personal Computing Research Note) Stamford, CT: C. McCormick. 3 - GartnerGroup (January, 1995) Windows 95 ATC Q&A Part 1:Technology (Personal Computing Research Note) Stamford, CT: C. Lusher, C. McCormick. 4- Dataquest Perspective (December, 1994) Windows 95- The Road to Chicago (Personal Computing Software Worldwide) New York, Karl Wong. 5 - GartnerGroup (April, 1995) Will IBM Walk Away From OS/2? (Personal Computing Research Note) Stamford, CT: S. Winkler, L.Fiering. 6- PC Magazine (July, 95) Support and Satisfaction Survey, p 269. 7- PC Week (August 7, 1995) Win95 Naysayers Unite - Just Say No , Jim Seymour 8- Infoworld (March 27, 1995) Design Flaw in 'last' beta release of Windows 95 , Nicholas Petreley 9- GartnerGroup (August, 1994) End-User Operations Cost Model Definitions (Personal Computing Policies and Strategies) Stamford, CT: C. Lusher. 10- White Paper (August, 1995) The Real Story about Windows 95 -15 Questions to Answer (Microsoft, Corporation) Redmond, Washington. 11- Software Quarterly (Volume 2, 1995) IBM and Lotus: User Friendly , Scott McCready