That Maestro transition is even setting off ripples in the rest of the 3000 datacenter provider pond. Design 3000 Plus, authors of the JMS/3000 job management/scheduling system and the Callback/3000 Computer Down Detector and Job Notification System, named ORBIT Software as their distributor in the US, Canada, UK, France, Germany and Scandinavia. Linda Vestal, Design’s co-founder and CEO, said that “what appears to be an uncertain future of Tivoli’s Maestro/MPE product is creating an increased demand for JMS/3000. This increased workload necessitated the move to add the expertise of ORBIT’s sales staff.” Vestal added that her company selected ORBIT due to the success they have demonstrated in the 3000 marketplace over the past 15 years. “We know the people at ORBIT very well and consider their sales and technical support staff to be top-notch professionals,” she said.

ORBIT said it viewed the partnership with Design as a way to strengthen its hand as a provider of 3000 datacenter solutions. “JMS and CALLBACK complement our own ZeroDownTime and Delta backup software to provide a complete toolkit for the ‘lights out’ data center environment,” said ORBiT’s CEO Paul Meszaros. “We are delighted to partner with Design; their solutions are solid performers, and, coupled with some exciting new products soon to be released by both companies, will broaden our ability to be of service to the HP user community.” US support calls will continue to go to the Design 3000 headquarters, but sales opportunities now cross both Design and ORBIT’s worldwide network of offices and staff. European ORBIT offices will handle Design support calls.