Alpha Microsystems is attempting a breakthrough into the UK database market with the UK launch of the Star Specialised Database Management System. The system – which currently has 115 US users – was designed by Los Angeles-based Cuadra Associates, formed in 1978 by Dr Carlos Cuadra, who developed Systems Development Corp’s on-line database service. That […]
Alpha Microsystems is attempting a breakthrough into the UK database market with the UK launch of the Star Specialised Database Management System. The system – which currently has 115 US users – was designed by Los Angeles-based Cuadra Associates, formed in 1978 by Dr Carlos Cuadra, who developed Systems Development Corp’s on-line database service. That system runs on Alpha machines, Cuadra therefore deciding to stick with Alpha’s proprietary Amos operating system. However it is claimed that initial hostility to a proprietary environment will be overcome by the product’s benefits:; these include multi-user operation, the ability to adapt the system to suit user needs and allow end users to create their own databases and obtain on-line access to them at any time – all without the need for specialist programmers. Turnkey Star systems start at UKP15,000, a price that includes a personal computer with up to five input-output ports, 40Mb disk drive, the Star software and word processing; more advanced systems are able to support up to 1,000 databases that can all be held locally. Alpha – whose new system will be distributed in the UK by Abacus Software and Preston, Lancashire based Sweetens Computer Services – sees all companies that require large scale textual manipulation as possible users, and hopes that up to 20 Star systems will be sold in the first year on the market; one of the first users is BBC TV News, which is installing a Star system on an AM2000-06 with 145Mb of disk storage and eight terminals.
