# New Products...

New information systems offering users a broad choice of processors, peripheral equipment and programming for almost any information-handling task were introduced by IBM in 1978 and early 1979.

## Better Distributed Processing

The IBM 8100 information system is designed primarily to distribute data processing economically throughout an organization. It permits an entire enterprise to be linked in a comprehensive coordinated information network.

The IBM 8100 is a family of two advanced-technology processors, magnetic disk and tape units, display stations and printers, plus a selection of easy-to-use programs.

Customers may use the IBM 8100 as a stand-alone system in a branch office or department.

Or they may tie networks of IBM 8100s to a large computer center. Such cooperative network processing is made possible by new IBM 8100 control programs. These are designed for use with the IBM System/370 programming systems already used by many large organizations.

The base for such communications-oriented processing is IBM's existing Systems Network Architecture—a unified structure for helping users assemble efficient computing networks.

## Powerful Compact System

The new IBM System/38 computer, featuring significant technology and programming innovations, allows direct attachment of up to 40 display terminals and printers. The design of System/38 (photo, page 13) permits such functions as data base management and virtual storage to be easily used by both experienced and first-time computer users.

A new control programming system transfers much of the burden of managing System/38's operation and resources from the user to the computer. Other programming allows workstation applications to be developed more productively than was possible before.

## New Intermediate Processors

Announced in January, 1979, were two new intermediate-scale processors that offer substantial price/performance improvements. Both processors incorporate IBM's most advanced memory and logic technology.

The IBM 4331 processor executes instructions up to four times faster than a comparable System/370 Model 115 processor.

Control programs permit new IBM 8100 information system to be used conveniently either as stand-alone computer or as part of a distributed processing network.

IBM's most advanced logic chip, shown here in eye of needle, was introduced in new IBM processors in January, 1979. The 1/4-inch-square chip has up to 704 logic circuits consisting of more than 7,000 circuit components.