System i

A line of minicomputer hardware and operating systems introduced in the late 1980's by IBM as Applicatinon System /400 or AS/400 and is in fact better known under the latter name that the more recent "System i" moniker. Revolutionary in its time due to the high integration of object oriented features and the OS integration of a DB2 version known as SQL/400.

Historical significance

Due to its advanced features and keen pricing the AS/400 proved as disruptive as PC systems in the minicomputer marketplace, is generally credited with being the final nail in the coffin of Data General and was according to Digital Equipment Corporation ex-president Ken Olsen responsible for decimating the sales of DEC VAX products.