Tying Workstations to Tasks Put power and productivity in the user's hands
From "VS Workshop",  Access 88, March 1988
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This month I'd like to move our discussion of peripheral connectivity to its most personal area: the workstation. I hope to explore most of the options available to users right now, with an eye to what the future might bring (e.g. 42X workstations, desktop VS processors, etc.). I refer to a properly-specified VS workstation as a "power" workstation - one that contributes to the productivity of the user rather than simply accepting the user's work.

The "power workstation" concept is derived from popular PC press, where there are constant references to "power users". More often it seems as though the power of these users is in their budget, not the usage. At any rate, the proper selection of workstation is vital to their productive use.

Workstation choices

Many organizations like to issue a single workstation type to all users. While this approach reduces inventory and support needs, it also may reduce the effectiveness of the user. A better approach might be to carefully review job tasks, assess the user's level of "computer smarts", and select the workstation from this information.

To choose a workstation approach you must understand the benefits and limitations of the various methods. There are three major areas to be considered:

1. Topology: the method used to connect the workstations to the host system. This could be a local coaxial cable (or equivalent twisted pair with adapters); an asynchronous connection, either local or remote (through modems); or as a remote system (through modems, Wang Systems Networking, and appropriate transport software).

2. Application type: the basic needs of the connection. This decision usually revolves around the need for microcode; i.e., local Word Processing versus something else.

3. Options: other features of interest to the user, including local archive storage, local printing, file transfer and conversion, multiple VS windows, or Hot Print capabilities.

In most cases, the choice of topology will be obvious: you have a local user, a terminal, a computer, and a cable to connect them. This list of considerations is intended to open up the possibilities of other approaches, such as the new asynchronous terminal emulation programs and PCs. The list is necessarily short, and some issues have been covered in my previous two columns.

Analyzing user need

After digesting the types of workstation connections available, the next step is to research the user's needs. For the purposes of this discussion, I see five major types of user: text processers, data processing users, analysts, programmers, and other professionals. Each of these users has different needs and desires.

Data processing: no frills

Face it: data processing applications are the low end of the VS food chain. Typical users include clerks and accountants; typical applications include data entry, check printing, etc. Necessary, important work; not very sexy.

Some people would say that such dull use warrants equally dull equipment. While it is true that most DP applications can be run using any type of terminal, I would like to make a pitch for the use of VS Multi-Station and, thus, more advanced terminals.

As most Wang users know, Multi-Station is a product that allows a single workstation to simulate up to four. Less well known are Multi-Station's features for the control of workstation features (clicker, bell, keys) and the Glossary functions. At the very least, DP users should have the use of the temporary glossary that a Multi-Station gives them so that they can reduce keystrokes and improve accuracy. I think of this as a kind of "perk" - making life a little easier for those stuck in data entry.

Text processing: high-volume entry

Text processing professionals need a fast, reliable workstation. They also need access to Wang Word Processing on the VS - ergo, a locally-attached workstation cabled with the standard serial connection (dual-coaxial cable running from the controller). From these requirements, it would appear that the 2256C (old style WP terminal) or newer 4230A would be suitable. A PC with Local Communications could be substituted if local diskette archiving was desired. Occasionally, local printing would be an asset; the PC might help here as well.

Don't assume that all text processers must be local users of VS Word Processing. A growing number of organizations have found it advantageous to employ part-time text processers that work from their homes. These users typically work with PC text processing systems such as WordPerfect or Microsoft Word, so there must be some provision to convert these files to VS Word Processing. Importing such text to the VS can be accomplished through document conversion software (such as W-LINKS [1]), MacSoft Document Conversion Utilities [2], The Word Doctor "PLUS" [3], or others, or sent to the VS through a 2110A workstation emulation that includes file transfer AND conversion [4].

Analysts: PC first, VS second

Analytical professionals are often PC-based, but may need to extract source data from VS applications. Thus, the workstation they require is typically a PC locally connected to a VS through a Local Communications board. This PC could be a Wang PC or any clone that could use the Local Office Communications (LOC) board. Naturally, other PC-related items might be needed, such as a printer, Lotus 1-2-3, etc.

File transfer and conversion chores could be handled by Wang's PC/VS Data Exchange utility (or competitors like DEXTOS [5]), allowing relatively easy movement from VS to PC formats; note that the fiddly nature of these utilities usually rule them out for casual users. If heavy VS interaction is required, VS Multi-Station or PC Multi-Station may be helpful.

Programmers: pull out the stops!

Program development activities range from assembly of large amounts of program text to system operation and management. In many organizations, analytical and technical writing chores are also involved. If that isn't enough, technical professionals often consider a "power" terminal as a sort of benefit, and feel slighted if they cannot have the best. For all of these reasons and more, these users need a full-featured terminal.

For programmers and other data processing professionals, a local connection and Multi-Station are minimal requirements. The glossary functions and special keys (particularly the PICKUP and PUTDOWN function) can drastically improve programming speed and accuracy. If sufficient resources are available, multiple windows allow simultaneous activities and reduce "deadheading" during long compiles and job runs, further improving productivity.

The requirements detailed above could be met with a 2256C or 4230A serial terminal. A PC would be a helpful addition, allowing the use of PC-based text processing, communications, and document conversion software. PC users with attached printers can also use the "Hot Print" function to print screens - even without the HELP key.

Other professional users

The last category to be considered is the working professional, such as doctors, consultants, and lawyers. These users do not typically spend a great deal of time at the keyboard, and hence do not exploit the resources of the system. Their usage tends to center on light text processing and spreadsheets.

Here there is a clear division based on the comfort and expertise of the user: novice users should use a locally-connected serial workstation (2256C or 4230A), while advanced users should be set up with a local connection for the PC of their choice. The reason for this division: some users are already comfortable with one type of computer and user interface, while some are new to computers and don't wish to become deeply involved in the technical tasks that often face PC users.

Light users will probably find Word Processing the application they use most. By confining this activity to the VS, it is easier for text processers and other professionals to access the text and finish whatever work might have been started. The user needs only light training to take advantage of VS Word Processing.

More advanced users are usually involved with a PC already. They may have already developed a liking for the particular unit that they use, and may resist changing to another. Since most PC users use some text processing system, and that system is almost never Wang Word Processing, it may be necessary to convert documents from a PC format to VS Word Processing.

One way to accomplish the workstation connection and file transfer is through the use of 2110A emulation software and an asynchronous connection. This approach allows the user to create text in many formats, then transfer it to the VS with conversion. Since professional users usually require infrequent access to the VS, asynchronous ports may be shared among many users. Finally, remote use of the 2110A emulation (through a modem) could appear exactly the same to the user as a local connection.

In addition to basic text and spreadsheet products, several options may be of interest to this class of user. Outline processors offer a flexible means of creating a rough draft of text. External data bases are a frequent "must", requiring communications software and modems. Finally, games seem particularly popular.

Welcome to my workstation

My own workstation reflects the needs I have most. It consists of a Wang APC with the Local Communications board, connected to a three-window port on a VS 100. A small printer is attached, allowing draft and near-letter-quality printing for technical, administrative, and documentation purposes. A Hayes 2400 modem and outside telephone line provide access to the outside world.

I make extensive use of Multi-Station's Glossary functions, and occasionally use PC Multi-Station as well. Since much of our business is text, I routinely use several document-conversion utilities and PC/VS Data Exchange. I use PC Word Processing for most internal memos and documentation, and run the memory-resident Genie software when I don't need PC Multi-Station or the PC Hot Print function (neither works with Genie). By the way, the Hot Print option is handy for printing screens while within Word Processing.

With this setup, I can monitor all three of our VS systems from individual terminals and perform local PC Word Processing as well. Much of my systems emergency documentation is on the PC's hard disk, since it would be available even if the VS wasn't. PC Word Processing required by most of the document conversion utilities, since it is the intermediary format between PC-based systems such as WordStar and VS Word Processing. I also import WP files from 5-1/4" OIS-format diskettes and my WangWriter at home.

I hope that you find some value to the workstation options discussed here. It seems certain that the options will change drastically over the next few years as manufacturers such as Wang continue their evolution to distribution of data processing tasks to the workstation and network components. In the meanwhile, I am interested in your workstation approach.

Notes:

1. W-LINKS is available from the M/H Group, 222 W. Adams, Chicago, IL 60606

2. MacSoft Document Conversion Utilities are available from MacSoft, Inc., 5100 California Avenue Suite 126, Bakersfield, CA 93309

3. The Word Doctor and The Word Doctor Plus are available from MCS Group, Inc., 2465 W. Chicago, Rapid City, SD 57702.

4. 2110 emulation programs with file transfer and conversion include VSTerm from MacSoft, VSCom from M/H Group, and a program from DPZ 2110 from DPZ Systems, 732 Ithaca Drive, Boulder, CO 80303.

5. DEXTOS is a PC-to-VS transfer utility that works from the VS side. It is available from Math Strategies, 604 Green Valley Road, Greensboro, NC 27408.