Major Law Firm Installation of Linux
May 12th, 02:08 UTC
Large Law Firm in Detriot area installs Linux at 5 offices
both servers and desktop's, using Red Hat Linux, Corel
WordPerfect, LTSP and Linux ThinStations.
Thursday, May 11, 2000 --
The law firm of Cummings, McClorey, Davis and Acho (CMDA) in Livonia MI and the computer services firm of Unique Systems, Inc., of Holland OH (http://www.uniqsys.com) announce a major installation of WordPerfect and Linux as the backbone of the law practice.
The five CMDA offices in Michigan now operate entirely on five Linux servers and one SCO UNIX server. All of the Linux and SCO servers are Terian servers from Jones Business Systems in Houston TX (http://www.jbsi.com). Each Linux server is running Red Hat Linux (http://www.redhat.com). This state-of-the-art installation takes advantage of many capabilities of Linux that are either cost prohibitive or not possible on other platforms.
CMDA had been a long time user of WordPerfect for most of its office applications, but also had many incompatible Microsoft and Lotus products. To update their systems for Y2K and to standardize on one set of office tools, they considered many options including Microsoft Office, WordPerfect Office for Windows and WordPerfect for Linux. Without a full time PC or UNIX expert on staff, they wanted to standardize on thin client technology, to enable easier and less costly support for their MIS operation over time. Other objectives included full time Internet access, and replacement of existing leased lines connecting their offices.
The WordPerfect/Linux combination fills all existing and long term objectives. Purchase of all new equipment was not necessary and existing word processing expertise was transferred to the upgraded version of WordPerfect for Linux. Linux ThinStations, which are diskless Linux workstations, are used in combination with older terminals. The ThinStations allow them to use the X Windows graphical interface available with WordPerfect Linux Server edition, and at the same time keep their terminals for many desktops. Older PC's, both 486's and Pentium systems were converted to ThinStations, via the use of ThinNIC's which turned older PC's into Linux workstations that run off of their Linux servers.
The software component to the ThinStations is an OpenSource software product called the Linux Terminal Server Project (http://www.ltsp.org). This special thin version of Linux is downloaded from the server to the workstation each time the ThinStation is turned on. It allows the operator to view Linux or other server based software (WordPerfect) in a user-friendly graphical format. All files and software reside and execute on the server to insure ease of maintenance and support and enhanced security.
With Corel's new emphasis on Linux products the Cummings, McClorey Firm felt very comfortable staying with Corel. Key to this decision was support for Linux offered by most vendors in the computer industry, but in particular Corel's strong commitment to the Linux platform.
WordPerfect is a Trademark of Corel Corp.,
Red Hat is a Trademark of Red Hat Software,
Linux is a Trademark of Linus Torvalds,
Terian is a Trademark of Jones Business Systems, Inc.
ThinStation is a Trademark of Unique Systems, Inc.
ThinNIC is a Trademark of Unique Systems, Inc.
(Submitted by Glenn Jacobson of Unique Systems, Inc.)
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