Unisys launches new mainframe, expands support for modernised applications and mobile devices

Unisys Corporation has announced enhancements to its ClearPath family of mainframe servers, designed to make it easier for clients to modernise their application environments and enable workers to access and manage ClearPath systems more efficiently through smartphones and other end-user devices.

Key enhancements include integrated support for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch, plus enhanced mobile security; support for additional open-source development tools to extend ClearPath applications; and ClearPath Libra Model 750, a new mid-range system.

“Today’s mainframe environments can’t be confined to data centres,” said Bill Maclean, vice president, ClearPath portfolio management, Unisys. “They need to extend out to where mobile workers are, supporting transactions on-the-go. We’ve made it a priority to build those capabilities into our ClearPath servers to provide what we believe is the most modern, secure, open mainframe platform on the market and to help our clients extend their long-term investments in strategic applications and IT infrastructure.”

The new release 13.0 of the ClearPath MCP software environment provides secure support for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch, with planned support for additional mobile devices. This feature enhances the utility of the ClearPath ePortal Specialty Engine, a co-processor that manages web services and mobile-device access.

The new capabilities include dynamic application support, which makes it easier for mainframe applications to handle mobile workers’ frequent logging on and off. Also, MCP now provides enhanced support for hybrid applications, giving mobile-device users a single, graphical view of data from multiple ClearPath transaction sources and making it easier for IT executives to view and manage system resources remotely.

To enrich support for users on-the-go, Unisys also plans an optional help desk service so support representatives can remotely resolve service incidents on mobile devices connected to the ClearPath system.

New mobile security enhancements to MCP include encryption to protect data crossing the network from being accessed by unauthorised users. Also, support for the Locum RealTime Monitor from Unisys solution partner Locum Software Services Limited, enables system managers to react quickly to security violations based on data from multiple systems – a crucial requirement for mobile environments. This minimises potential risk to business information and improves regulatory compliance and management reporting.

The MCP environment now supports the open-source scripting language PHP, making it easier to create web-based applications that can interact with ClearPath DMSII databases. PHP and other open development tools, such as Java and XML, enable ClearPath clients to create a modernised application environment that bridges technology generations and extends the value of their investments in strategic software.

Unisys also announced the ClearPath Libra Model 750, its new entry point in the mid-range line of mainframes. Based on a Unisys proprietary CMOS processor, the ClearPath Libra Model 750 is designed to accommodate medium-to-large transaction processing environments – especially those requiring continuous availability. It provides a 35 percent improvement in single-processor performance over the predecessor Libra Models 585/595.

Like other members of the ClearPath family, the ClearPath Libra Model 750 provides metering, a pay-for-use system software licensing capability that enables clients to match IT resources to business requirements and pay for the processing power they use, as they use it.

Base configurations of the ClearPath Libra Model 750 are priced from US$1.3 million.