(Raleigh, N.C.) Visara International announces that it has successfully replaced IBM® 3745 Front End Processors with the Visara FEP4600 Enterprise Communications Controller in a major metropolitan Inter-Agency network. The objective of the project was to replace the aging and unsupported 3745s with the newer and more cost effective FEP4600. The rack mounted FEP4600 does not require any licensed software such as NCP or SSP while providing the same functional connectivity. The customer has estimated that the use of the FEP4600 will save more than $100K in annual software license and maintenance fees as compared to the IBM® 3745s, resulting in an ROI of less than 12 months. Besides the savings in license and maintenance fees, the FEP4600 eliminates the use of ESCON to Bus and Tag converters and saves on floor space as well as power and HVAC requirements.

The FEP4600 is providing communications via standard SDLC links to other agency 3745s. The next phase of this project is to utilize the FEP4600’s SNI over IP feature to eliminate the lower speed SDLC links. This feature allows the use of IP connectivity to provide SNI communications, allowing a highly reliable and flexible “Business Continuity” architecture.

According to Visara International’s CEO Dr. Kenneth A. Bloom: “IBM decided several years ago to end their production and support for 3745/46 FEPs. This move forced many customers worldwide to keep their FEPs solely for SNI connectivity without a good alternative. This is where the FEP4600 really shines as it supports SNI and other standard protocols and network attachments with NO software license required.”

Management and configuration of the Visara FEP4600 is through a network browser connection. This allows the FEP4600 to be configured, controlled and monitored without the need to reload the system thus eliminating the scheduling of configuration changes during off hours.

Headquartered near Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, Avenir Technologies Inc. d/b/a Visara International is a global leader in the innovation and development of mainframe and midrange console solutions, Console Automation solutions, Virtual Tape Library and Printing Solutions. With offices throughout North America and internationally, Visara International designs, delivers and services its products through a worldwide network of direct and indirect sales. For additional information about Visara International’s products and solutions, please visit our website at www.visara.com or email info@visara.com.