Continuing the drive to provide cost effective computing to meet customer requirements, IBM has announced VM/ESA availability for the PC Server 500 System/390 (TM). The PC Server 500 System/390 allows System/390 applications to run directly on a Micro Channel* based PC Server, pairing the productivity tools of a PC Server running OS/2 with S/390 function.

VM/ESA will be provided on an easy to load starter system CD. All currently available IBM VM/ESA related products will also be available. For qualifying members of the S/390 Developers Association a selected suite of VM/ESA products will also be available as a special offering.

The currently available level of VM/ESA will be provided for the PC Server 500 System/390 (VM/ESA Version 1 Release 2.2 at product introduction, VM/ESA Version 2 Release 1.0 when it becomes generally available).

The PC Server 500 System/390 is a low cost platform for environments that require entry servers or systems with S/390 and OS/2 operating systems. The PC Server 500 System/390 provides a development workbench with the flexibility of using S/390 or OS/2 tools software for application development. For entry systems that are the central computer, the PC Server 500 System/390 is a possible replacement for older S/360 and S/370 processors. For entry servers in large enterprises, the PC Server 500 System/390 participates as a distributed platform for remote computing and Client/Server capabilities. The product includes OS/2 and Communication Manager/2 software, as well as supporting VM/ESA, MVS/ESA, and VSE/ESA.