Ibm Business Computers To Run Windows Nt Software

IBM Corp plans to give its powerful business computers the ability to run Windows NT software from Microsoft Corp, fighting back against competing machines offering the popular Microsoft operating system.

IBM is also boosting the performance of the AS400 computers, introducing new models designed to help companies conduct business with customers over the Internet.

IBMs AS400 machines, its mid-range line of business computers, use the companys proprietary operating system to run networks of desktop machines.

But the AS400 has posted lower sales in each of the past two quarters, and company officials have cited sky-rocketing demand for computers that run on the NT operating program from Microsoft.

IBM plans to sell a computer add-on early next year that enables users to upgrade existing AS400 and new AS400E machines so the computers can run Windows NT applications as well as software made for the IBM operating system.

We really think theres tremendous growth opportunity for the AS400, said Bill Zeitler, head of IBMs AS400 division. Making it inter-operative with windows NT is just one way to do it. The AS400E models, IBM is rolling out, boast up to nearly five times more processing power for the money. The new AS400E machines cost from $8,000 to $1.2 million.

Netscape plans stand-alone Navigator: Netscape Comm-unications Corp will introduce a stand-alone version of Navigator, its popular Internet-browser software, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing sources close to the project.

Netscape officials declined to comment, pending a conference call scheduled for this morning, the paper said in its electronic edition on Monday.