MicroGate Corporation Announces MG3780 for OS/2

Austin, Texas, January 2, 1996 -- MicroGate Corporation today announced
MG3780 for OS/2.  MG3780 for OS/2 is an enhanced communications
application program for exchanging batch data with host mainframe
computers using the 2780/3780 Binary Synchronous Communications (BSC)
serial protocol.  This new OS/2 product joins MicroGate's other 2780/3780
emulators, which are widely used in insurance, finance, and retail
applications.

Using MG3780, PCs running OS/2 can communicate with host Job Entry
Subsystems as RJE terminals, exchange data with remote host computers, or
function as remote BSC printers.  Applications for MG3780 include
Point-of- Sale (POS) data capture, Remote Job Entry (RJE), Electronic Data
Interchange (EDI), Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), batch file transfer,
and remote printing.  MG3780 features include native-mode Presentation
Manager user interface; auto-dialing of switched BSC modem connections
using "AT" commands; comprehensive scripting; attended and unattended
sessions; real-time display of communications statistics and serial signal
states; context-sensitive on-line help; session event logging; multi-level
communications trace; and extensive configurability for different BSC
environments.

MG3780 for OS/2 costs $ 699, including BSC adapter.  It is available now
through MicroGate direct sales at (800)444-1982 or (512)345-7791.

Founded in 1982 and Headquartered in Austin, Texas, MicroGate Corporation
designs, develops, manufactures, and markets personal computer data
communications products.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

MG3780 for OS/2 is a 2780/3780 terminal emulation program used for
communicating with mainframe or other host computers using the Binary
Synchronous Communications (BSC) serial protocol.  With MG3780, computers
running OS/2 2.1 or later can communicate with host Job Entry Subsystems
as RJE terminals, exchange data with remote host computers, and function
as remote BSC printers.

For ease of setup and use, MG3780 features a native Presentation Manager
user interface.  Configuring MG3780 is done by selecting a Configure
dialog box and choosing from a displayed list of options.  The resulting
configuration can then be saved in a file and automatically loaded in
subsequent sessions.

MG3780 can be started from the Workplace Shell or automatically when OS/2
is booted.  When started, MG3780 auto-configures itself for the selected
configuration and enters interactive or batch mode.  In interactive mode,
MG3780 can execute commands typed from the keyboard or selected from
dialog boxes.  In batch mode, MG3780 can execute commands read from a
script file or received from a remote computer.

MG3780 can be ordered with several different MicroGate BSC hardware
adapters depending upon line speed and serial interface requirements.  BSC
adapters include an RS-232 adapter capable of speeds up to 28,800 bps; a
V.32bis internal modem adapter that supports line speeds up to 14,400 bps,
and a high-speed V.35 adapter designed for use with digital service
CSU/DSUs and ISDN TAs.

FEATURES

-    Enhanced 2780/3780 Terminal Emulation
-    Native PM User Interface
-    On-line Help
-    Menu Bar, with command dialog boxes
-    Button Bar, with command and quick script buttons
-    Status Bar, with display fields for operating mode, link status,
     and device status
-    Interactive and Batch Operation
-    Normal, Transparent, and Binary Text handling
-    Automatic EBCDIC-ASCII Translation with configurable
     character-level customizations
-    Logical Reader, Printer, and Punch devices definable as files or
     printers
-    Automatic File Naming option on receive files
-    Large Communications Blocks (up to 4096 bytes) for high
     communications throughput
-    Comprehensive Script support, including script creation and
     editing, quick script button for fast script execution, and
     startup script
-    Remote Command feature for accepting and executing commands
     sent from a remote computer
-    Automatic Dialer for configuring modems and dialing and answering
     switched connections using "AT" commands
-    Real-time Statistics Panel display
-    Real-time Virtual Modem Panel display
-    Session Message Logging
-    Communications Trace
-    MS-DOS Command Execution within MG3780
-    Configurable for different BSC operating environments
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FEATURE DESCRIPTION

Enhanced 2780/3780 Terminal Emulation

MG3780 emulates an IBM 2780 or 3780 data communications terminal for remote
batch communications.  Besides full-featured 2780/3780 emulation, MG3780
also features numerous enhancements to increase communications flexibility
and simplify setup and use.

Native PM User Interface

Designed to take advantage of OS/2 features, MG3780 provides a consistent
PM user interface in performing its application functions.  These
functions make use of OS/2 resources such as application windows, menus,
buttons, drop-down list boxes, and mouse pointer.

On-Line Help

On-line help is available through the ? command, which lists the MG3780
commands and command syntax, and the Help menu item on the Menu Bar.

Menu Bar

The Menu Bar contains Session, Files, Edit, Scripts, Options and Help menu
items.  Each menu item performs a predefined function with most functions
corresponding to MG3780 commands.

Button Bar

The graphical button bar provides a shortcut method for issuing frequently
used commands, such as Connect, Disconnect, Send File, Define Printer,
Define Punch, Stop, and Execute Quick Script.

Status Bar

The Status Bar contains fields which display information such as menu item
description, trace and log status, operating mode (interactive or batch),
link status (offline, connecting, idle), and device status (Reader active,
Printer active, Punch active).

Interactive and Batch Operation

MG3780 is capable of processing commands entered interactively from the
keyboard, selected from a dialog box, read from a script file, or received
from a remote computer.

Normal, Transparent, and Binary Text

MG3780 can send and receive three types of data: normal text, transparent
text, and binary text.  Normal text is ASCII data that is translated to
EBCDIC before being sent and from EBCDIC to ASCII when being received.
Transparent text is data that may contain some of the control characters
used by the BSC protocol, so special provisions are taken to allow these
characters to be sent and received as data.  Binary text is similar to
transparent text except that no translations are performed.

Automatic EBCDIC-ASCII Translation

MG3780 performs automatic EBCDIC to ASCII translation on incoming data and
ASCII to EBCDIC conversion on transmitted data when operating in normal
text and transparent text modes.  These translations are performed with
respect to translation tables.  The translation tables can be customized
at the character level to perform special character translations.

Reader, Printer, and Punch

Data transmitted to a remote computer by MG3780 is obtained from the
logical Reader device.  A Send command is provided which allows the Reader
to be defined as one or more files.  The file(s) is then transmitted to
the remote computer during the send operation.  MG3780 has two logical
destinations for received data: a Printer device and a Punch device.  Two
commands are provided by MG3780 that allow the Printer or Punch to be
defined as a file or OS/2 printer.  Data received for that device is then
written to the file or printer during a receive operation.

Automatic File Naming

Automatic file naming is useful when receiving a large number of separate
files.  When this feature is enabled, a specified file name is used with a
unique extension for each file received.

Large Communications Blocks

Communications block sizes are configurable from 400 to 4096 bytes.  Large
blocks permits greater throughput by packing more information into each
transmission unit.

Scripts

Scripts are files containing commands that are processed by MG3780 as a
batch.  To support script processing, MG3780 features script creation and
editing support, and initial script for automating unattended sessions.

Remote Commands

This feature enables MG3780 to execute commands received from a remote
computer when in batch mode.  Using this feature, a remote station can
control all actions taken during a communications session.

Automatic Dialer

The Automatic Dialer supports modem configuration and automatic dialing and
answering using the "AT" command sets of sync/async modems, such as V.32,
V.32bis, and V.34 modems.

Statistics Panel

The statistics panel, when enabled, provides a real-time display of session
communications statistics, including the number of line bids transmitted
acknowledged and received, number of errors detected, number of buffers
transmitted and received, number of records transmitted and received,
etc.

Virtual Modem Panel

The Virtual Modem Panel (VMP) is similar to the LEDs on the front panel of
a modem. When enabled, the VMP provides a real-time graphical display of
the serial signals DTR, DSR, RTS, CTS, DCD, RI, TxD and RxD.

Logging

During a session, the messages that result from the execution of commands
are displayed on the console and are also written to a configurable Log
file to provide a saved record of session actions and events.

Communications Trace

The communications trace is a diagnostic and troubleshooting aid that
captures a record of BSC protocol activity in a Trace file for later
analysis.  Tracing is enabled and disabled by a Trace command or from the
Start Trace menu item in the Session menu.

Command Execution

MG3780 includes an EXecute command that permits DOS and OS/2 commands to be
executed.

Configurability

MG3780's BSC operating environment is determined by interpreting
configuration parameters read from a configuration file at run time.
Configuration files are created by selecting Configure from the Options
menu and choosing from a displayed group of configuration options,
including:  - 2780 or 3780 emulation -  Default Printer and Punch
definitions - Communications block size - Reader record length - Printer
and Punch record length  - Log file definition - Initial script file -
Switched or leased lines - Half or Full duplex communications - Printer
and Punch Timeouts - Retry limits - Terminal identification string -
Printer and Punch VFC handling options - Translation table customization
 
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