Desert start

Press, 7 May 1987, Page 30

Desert start

The unveiling of a commemorative plaque by the Prime Minister, Mr Lange, at the new UnisysLINC Development Centre this afternoon will be the start of another exciting aspect of LINC’s already remarkable history.

Conceived in the sands of Saudi Arabia just over a decade ago, but perfected in the lush green surrounds of Christchurch, the LINC information system has taken this city to the very nub of software development.

Today's opening of the futuristic-looking headquarters for Unisys-LINC — a building which in itself epitomises the computer age — will ensure Christchurch remains at the very core of this development. LINC’s progress over these last few years can be compared with the pioneering spirit of early New Zealanders who battled adversity to establish the society we treasure and which is admired and envied from other parts of the globe. Both the early settlers and these modern-day pioneers had to try and convince a more knowing world that they had something special to offer. In the end, thankfully, both parties succeeded. Today’s opening is a far cry from the spartan surrounds where Gil Simpson and Peter Hoskins perfected their "baby.” They started in a small office, not a multi-storey building with internal waterfall and hydraulic stage. One of the initial- 'problems the pair had to overcome was the skepticism of many locals and overseas people approached who could not believe such an informa-

tion system could be developed in New Zealand when all the leading technology was in Northern Hemisphere countries. ' In actual fact, the first overseas LINC system was sold to the Ford Motor Company in Taiwan — before a system was sold in Christchurch. The association with Burroughs . has provided the biggest push for LINC. This gave it its international footing, its credibility. Since 1979, both the staff employed at Sheffield Crescent and the world markets for LINC have grown accordingly. Today, LINC has been installed in over 3000 locations world-wide in over 40 countries with strong sales in America, Europe, Scandinavia and South America. One of the most fantastic aspects of the whole operation is that LINC can be written in any language and because of this and its success, there are over 150 LINC sites in Japan. This point more than any other typifies the success of LINC. To be successful in Japan which has for so long been one of the world leaders in computer technology speaks volumes for its quality. Throughout New Zealand there are 40 LINC users, including five in Christchurch. The LINC Development Centre Itself now has a staff of 55 compared with the original number of two, while 13 Unisys staff share the same facilities where they act as a product assessor, assurance and support group.

The LINC team is continually seeking to probe the extremes of software technology.