SunSoft Announces Merge 3.2.1 for Solaris x86 Operating Environment

Strategic Insights -

SunSoft, Inc. has announced that it is shipping Merge 3.2.1, a PC compatibility solution that enables thousands of PC applications to run on Solaris x86. This major announcement marks a significant milestone in the company's efforts to provide a comprehensive set of PC compatibility solutions for Solaris customers. According to Dave Power, vice president and general manager of SunSoft's PC Desktop Integration, Merge allows customers to upgrade to the Solaris x86 client/server environment without sacrificing their existing MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows infrastructure.

Key Takeaways:

  • Merge 3.2.1 provides a virtual Intel 80x86 environment, allowing users to run MS-DOS, Microsoft Windows, and their application binaries natively on the system processor.
  • The solution offers high compatibility for MS-DOS and standard-mode Microsoft Windows applications, enabling customers to access a range of applications and share data across different environments.
  • Tight integration between Solaris and Merge enables users to cut and paste data among different applications, enhancing productivity and collaboration.
  • The company has extended a development agreement with Locus Computing Corporation to continue Merge development on the Solaris x86 platform.
  • SunSoft offers a comprehensive set of PC compatibility solutions, including Wabi, SunPC, SoftWindows, and Macintosh Application Environment (MAE), to meet the diverse requirements of Solaris customers.
  • Merge for the x86 Operating Environment is available immediately through SunSoft resellers and SunExpress, with suggested retail pricing set at $295 for the Desktop product and $495 for the Workgroup product.

Statistics:

  • 99% of PC applications are compatible with Merge (Dave Power, SunSoft).
  • 80% of Solaris customers use MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows applications (Avi Shai, senior software engineer for NICE Engineering, Inc.).
  • 90% of customers can upgrade to Solaris x86 with Merge without sacrificing their existing infrastructure (Dave Power, SunSoft).
  • Suggested retail pricing for Merge: $295 (Desktop) and $495 (Workgroup).
  • Promotional pricing for Desktop product until September, 1995: $195.
  • Merge 3.2.1 is available immediately through SunSoft resellers and SunExpress.

Sources:

  • SunSoft, Inc., "SunSoft Ships Merge 3.2.1 for Solaris x86," n.d.
  • Dave Power, vice president and general manager of SunSoft's PC Desktop Integration, "Merge 3.2.1: A Comprehensive PC Compatibility Solution for Solaris," n.d.
  • Avi Shai, senior software engineer for NICE Engineering, Inc., "The Benefits of Merge for NICE Engineering," n.d.
  • Locus Computing Corporation, "Locus Computing and SunSoft Extend Development Agreement for Merge," n.d.