TECHNOLOGY : CMS Enhancements Strikes Deal to Have IBM Unit Build Boards

CMS Enhancements Inc. in Irvine said Monday that it has contracted with IBM’s Personal Computer Co. to build components for its so-called AnyBus line of computers.

The IBM unit will build motherboards--the main circuit boards that contain the primary processing chips of a PC--for CMS’ AnyBus Computer Technologies subsidiary. The motherboards will feature CMS’ new architecture that allows a computer to be upgraded so it can process data faster.

CMS designed the AnyBus architecture to take advantage of “local bus” cards. Such cards, inserted into a computer’s expansion slots, allow it to move data between components faster and thereby equip itself to handle the processing demands of software that features better graphics, video and sound.

Many PC manufacturers have created their own local bus designs that are not compatible with other manufacturers’ designs, leading to confusion about which local bus cards to install.

CMS’ device acts as a universal translator, allowing local bus cards from any manufacturer to be adapted to a particular computer’s configuration, regardless of future advances in PC processing technology.

CMS will market its IBM-made motherboards to computer makers and systems integrators, who take components from a variety of manufacturers and configure them into complete computer systems.

In contrast to recent distribution agreements CMS has signed, the IBM deal will not contribute immediately to company revenue, said CMS chief executive Jim Farooquee. But he said IBM’s reputation will help CMS find customers for the AnyBus, a cornerstone of CMS’ strategy of providing enhancements for PCs.

Mike Rusert, vice president of marketing at CMS, said the company has signed three customers for the AnyBus line and hopes to get half a dozen more shortly.

IBM will ship motherboards directly to customers from its Electric Card Assemblies and Test manufacturing plant in Austin, Tex.