Developments in multiuser systems

Workstations for applications as diverse as data entry and process control are in increasing demand but until recently have remained in the cost range of minicomputers and mainframes. Two developments are opening these applications environments to wider exploitation by computer manufacturers: the maturation of networking techniques and the availability of more powerful microprocessors. Both have the effect of lowering the average cost of workstations, but at present they differ in their price/performance/functionality characteristics. This paper focuses on the application of microprocessors in multiuser systems.