Car parts supplier Trost is updating its IBM NetVista terminals with IGEL upgrades. Compatible with the IBM firmware, the IGEL Compact Flash upgrades will ensure the continued operation of the NetVista 2800 terminals, at the same time bringing stunning pluses by way of extra connectivity and functionality.

In accordance with the company motto ‘Everything for the Motor Trade’, the 62 branches of Eugen Trost GmbH provide garages and specialist parts dealers throughout Germany with a comprehensive range of car parts, tools, workshop equipment and services. Established in Bad Cannstatt near Stuttgart in 1904, the company now has 1,700 employees, and aims to act as a comprehensive problem-solver for its customers.

With the business growing, in the middle of last year Trost planned to increase the number of individual workplaces within the existing server-based computing infrastructure.

However, production of the NetVista-series of IBM terminals Trost uses was discontinued in January 2002. The issue was then to find a way to be able to continue using the 50 or so NetVista 2800-type terminals and at the same time prepare to expand the network medium-term with further compatible terminals.


Protecting investment by upgrading firmware

After extensive Internet research, visits to fairs and studying informational material provided by various suppliers, Trost opted to upgrade the firmware of the machines with a 32Mb CompactFlash' module made by German manufacturer IGEL Technology. A joint outsourcing project between IGEL and IBM Business Services offers long-term protection of existing investment in terminal infrastructure. The IGEL-2800 Premium 32 Mb CompactFlash' module with embedded IGEL Flash Linux used is fully compatible with the IBM hardware. The fully enclosed operating system is constantly looked after and updated by IGEL. Albert Hermann, head of EDP at Trost, says of the IGEL project: ‘The IGEL upgrade-kits are easy to install, and provide a major contribution to protecting our investment. They are reliable basis for having IBM Business Services continue to look after our NetVista terminals.’

Externally, the change of operating system involves no change for Trost employees. Their work environment is exactly the same as before. In addition, they can continue to use the familiar IBM keyboards with 122 keys at every workplace for keying in entries.


Connectivity: small upgrade, big effect

Over and above just continuing the operation of the IBM terminals, the IGEL-2800 Premium Module offered Trost a window of opportunity to increase functionality and performance within the server-based computing architecture. After the upgrade, the terminals could for example be switched from token-ring to ethernet operation without difficulty, using a standard card. The new firmware also allows communication via wireless LAN, by means of which mobile machines at the central warehouse in Uffenheim could likewise be linked to the network.

However, the critical difference compared with the previous operating mode comes from the increase in communicative capacity or connectivity that the upgrade offers, The IGEL-2800 Premium provides several standard protocols for communicating with the central applications servers, including RDP for Microsoft Windows-based servers, ICA for Citrix Metaframe systems and the UNIX or Linux-specific X11R6 protocol.

The current server infrastructure at Trost consists of M20- based servers with Netfinity Quad 500 MHz processors and Raid System with 4Gb of RAM plus third-generation X-350 and X-4500 servers. Communication between the IGEL-tuned NetVista terminals and the central applications servers at Trost is effected solely via the flexible ICA Version 6.2 Citrix protocol.


Legacy Host access included

On top of all that, integrated PowerTerm software gives the car parts firm a great number of terminal emulations for linking up with virtually all known Legacy Host applications. In this connection, particularly important for Trost was the standard availability of TN5250E (extended) AS/400 emulation as the key communications standard of the original terminal connections.

The new Clients provide Trost employees today with convenient access to more than 70 PC applications and market-specific catalogues overall.


Integration of practical additional software

Along with the fully-enclosed Linux OS, the protocols and the integrated emulation suite, the firmware of the IGEL- 2800 Premium upgrade-kit also contains a series of other software components. To achieve the efficient utilisation of network bandwidth, Netscape 4.77 internet browser including Java Virtual Machine (JVM) is integrated as standard. The local operation of these frequently-used standard applications keeps the network load at a low level, thus circumventing transmission bottlenecks. Optimal bandwidth efficiency is also ensured by the Thin Print Management printing-management software, likewise forming a standard component of the firmware.

Further software tools lower administration and maintenance costs, thus having a long-term positive effect on the total cost of ownership (TCO). For example, the integrated IGEL Remote Management software permits site-nonspecific administration of terminals via web browsers. The firmware itself allows FTP to be updated conveniently and simply.


What’s next? What comes after NetVista?

At Trost, they are happy with the way the upgrade project is going. ‘Support from IBM Business Services ensured the IT infrastructure switchover was hassle-free,’ notes Albert Hermann. ‘Updating the terminal environment at Trost was carried through within four weeks. The least part of that time was needed for the necessary modifications of the terminals themselves. Ultimately only the firmware modules needed swapping and new communications cards introducing, and then the terminals were all ready to go again.'’ On the basis of this positive project experience, Trost is planning to use not only further upgrade kits but also to acquire new IGEL Clever Clients as successors to the IBM terminals.

Comments Albert Hermann in conclusion: ‘The continuation of the partnership with IGEL guarantees us an outstanding price/ performance ratio, security of investment and the necessary flexibility we want in future. We see IGEL’s Clever Clients as the new generation of terminals in server-based computing.’


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