Integrating Robotic Tape Libraries
The Challenge
In the late 1980s, StorageTek gave tape technology more years of useful life by making robotic libraries efficient and reliable. They asked FCI to integrate their tape drives and libraries with Unisys platforms. While they had a fully-realized corporate structure, they outsourced many roles to FCI. Additionally, a product upgrade required TCP/IP, which was not available on OS 2200.
The Solution & Impact
FCI developed EXEC local code to fully integrate the library with OS 2200 and an application to interface with the library solution. We implemented a TCP/IP stack on OS 2200 using a university research code base. Scratch tapes were managed via integration with FCI’s STAR-1100.
FCI performed development, testing, and support, traveling to help StorageTek complete large sales, and continued supporting these products through acquisitions by Sun and Oracle.
Massively Parallel Database Computing
The Challenge
At a time when data warehouses were aggressively scaling up, Teradata found technical and sales success with its massively parallel database machine. They saw an opportunity to sell to several very large Unisys customers—provided the system could be integrated with OS 2200 and MCP (A Series).
The Solution & Impact
FCI built an interfacing solution on Unisys platforms, allowing user programs to fulfill requests on the Teradata database machine. On OS 2200, FCI used a highly technical and low-level EXEC I/O feature. We also ported Teradata's numerous high-level utilities to both OS 2200 and MCP.
FCI performed engineering, testing, documentation, and pre- and post-sales support, traveling internationally to support Teradata’s successful sales efforts.
Award Winning Video Monitoring Solution
The Challenge
For many years, transmitting live, full-color video required expensive premises installations and costly telecommunications services. A video equipment manufacturer wanted to make a technical leap: build an affordable video monitoring package which could operate on standard telephone lines for small business owners.
The Solution & Impact
With FCI's solution in place, business owners or home users could monitor any location from a desktop or laptop PC using POTS (plain old telephone service). This dramatically reduced the cost and technical complexity.
FCI’s efforts helped our customer win four major awards, including "Best Communication Product" from the British Security Industry Association and "Judge’s Choice Award for Best Product" at ISC New York.
Remote Video for Sobriety Testing
The Challenge
An industry leader in security monitoring wanted to offer home arrest monitoring services to local and state authorities. They needed a highly reliable, automated way for central operators to monitor sobriety tests via remote video cameras.
The Solution & Impact
FCI developed a unique Windows server application based on inexpensive video equipment. The application automatically initiates video calls on a schedule, allowing visual verification against a central database of test subjects, and recording real-time tests.
This automated system tremendously improved the efficiency, privacy, and comfort of the subject’s experience, while improving interfaces with law enforcement and compliance organizations.
MAPPER to BIS Migration
The Challenge
Aerospace Company: Dictated a move off the mainframe onto commodity hardware under an aggressive deadline for over 2,500 MAPPER RUNs used in shop-floor applications.
Public-Sector Organization: Needed to migrate a crucial MAPPER application generating mandated government reports, struggling with aging data structures from a time when MAPPER had many limitations.
The Solution & Impact
FCI migrated both organizations from MAPPER to Business Information System (BIS) on open systems. We used automated tools to handle syntax differences efficiently and established more efficient data structures.
The aerospace project was completed on time (within 10 months) and under budget, saving millions of dollars over the next years. The public sector client achieved an ambitious organizational mandate for archives reaching back a decade.
Sales Tracking & Credit Card Processing
The Challenge
A medical supply corporation needed to automate their cataract lens customer reordering system. Separately, a supplier of time-share property services needed to automate and speed up reservation credit card processing.
The Solution & Impact
FCI developed an e-business application for the medical supplier allowing online orders, inventory tracking, and integrated it directly with their Baan ERP system. For the time-share supplier, FCI built a fully automated and secure credit card web application.
The medical supplier saved thousands of dollars and substantially reduced customer frustration. The time-share supplier received unsolicited feedback that reservations were now faster and easier.
Establishing Feasibility for Innovative Web Integration
The Challenge
A small company wanted to explore the bleeding-edge feasibility of implementing a web-based control center to track via GPS and remotely disable a stolen vehicle. This required managing wireless messages delivered via a micro-burst sub-channel.
The Solution & Impact
FCI implemented the web portal for GPS tracking and a software server for managing the cell phone micro-burst messaging. During telco stress-testing for reliability, our implementation received the highest marks.
We successfully established the feasibility of tracking and controlling the vehicle remotely. While the vision was ahead of its time, it proved our ability to execute complex, pioneering wireless web integrations.
Chemical Supply Tracking and Inventory
The Challenge
A bulk chemical supplier relied on customers physically checking tank gauges to re-order. Reordering too late impacted production; ordering too soon resulted in wasteful trips. Automating tank level reporting would substantially improve operations.
The Solution & Impact
They installed hardware to send a MicroBurst™ message with the level reading. FCI deployed its message server, developed a database, and a web portal, managing both forward and reverse control channels.
This eliminated manual tracking and wasteful trips, ensuring timely refills. By taking advantage of FCI’s expertise, the chemical supplier positioned itself a step above its competitors.