SpurBox Kicked Into High Gear

By Jim LeFevre

September 26, 1997

Buying a hardware/software package is a lot like purchasing a new car; you typically have to pay an arm and a leg for the options and components you need and desire.

With the introduction of its newly configured SB/2K Deluxe, Spur Products Corp. (Boise, Idaho) packed everything but the kitchen sink into its printer connectivity solution while still managing to lower its price.

"Rather than picking and choosing from a confusing array of SpurBox/2000 options, over $5,000 worth of options now come standard with every unit shipped," says Ben Price, product marketing manager for the SB/2K product line.

SB/2K Deluxe is a reconfiguration of the company's SpurBox/2000 product family, and includes all the hardware and software required to connect Ethernet and Token-Ring hosts to multiple high-speed production printers. The system's modular output system enables users to print to Xerox, Oce, IBM and Centronics printers; Novell and DECnet input compatibility is also provided in the new package.

Another notable SB/2K Deluxe feature is a menu-driven Queue Management Facility (QMF) that enables users to automate and manage print files based upon file name or origin.

"Our customers are looking for solutions, not more headaches from installing a connectivity kit on their PCs. The new SB/2K Deluxe gives our customers a smoother start-up as well as a single source for hardware of software support issues," says Ron Barstow, customer support engineer.

Along with SB/2K Deluxe, Spur will be shipping optional AS/400 and TCP/IP modules that provide APPC and TCP/IP connectivity, respectively, and enable production printing in AS/400, mixed host and network environments. The AS/400 module also provides twinax connectivity options in addition to APPC capabilities.