Compaq seeks to join U.S. computer industry's elite; No. 1 PC maker bets on servers to challenge the three mainframe giants

Article Abstract:

Compaq hopes to challenge the three largest computer makers, which are IBM, HP and DEC, by marketing their servers as a one-stop computing solution for corporations. Compaq, which was the top desktop PC maker in 1994, says it could pass DEC in the 3rd position of the overall market in 1995. In 1994, Compaq sold an impressive 29% of all servers in the US, while also selling 10% of the world's desktop systems. Despite selling nearly 10 times as many desktop systems as servers, Compaq makes most of its profits from the servers, which sell at higher profit margins. Although companies are moving their corporate data off mainframe and mid-range systems to client-server networks, most analysts agree that servers are not yet advanced enough to handle large, mission critical databases. Some analysts believe improved service and greater commitment to research and development will be the keys to Compaq's success in the upper level of computing.

Planning, Finance, Company business planning, Company forecasts, Company Business Forecast/Projection

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PC makers cure customer ills with virtual house calls; beset by complaints, service 'doctors' dial up computers and poke inside

Article Abstract:

PC manufacturers have begun implementing innovative software into their offerings that enable them to provide technical support via the telephone. The growth of the home PC market has placed more PCs in the hands of novice users. As a result, PC makers have been experiencing an increase in the number of phone calls they receive from anxious and frustrated customers. Researchers have discovered that a large number of tech-support calls do not make it through on a timely basis because of overloaded help desks, resulting in even more frustration for users. PC makers are beginning to alleviate the problem by enabling their technicians to help users over the phone via innovative preloaded software. IBM, DEC, Zenith Data Systems and Gateway 2000 are among the vendors utilizing the new technology. As a result, there has been a decrease in the number of tech-support calls and product returns.

Innovations, Forecasts and trends, Computer services industry, Information technology services industry, Industry trend, Customer service, Support services, User need, End users

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Compaq suit claims Packard Bell sells new computers containing used parts

Article Abstract:

Compaq is suing Packard Bell in a lawsuit claiming that the company is selling used parts in computers being marketed as new and changing serial numbers on the computers to hide this fact. The lawsuit also alleges that Packard Bell is overstating the capabilities of some of its computer systems. Packard Bell officials say that the charges in the lawsuit are false and are merely an attempt to hurt the company's success in the market. Packard Bell has risen to the number one position in home computer sales in 1994 and has become a legal target of Compaq's as a result. Compaq officials say that they bought some Packard Bell systems and after testing, discovered that the capabilities had been misrepresented. Compaq says that former Packard Bell employees were the first to draw attention to Packard Bell's use of used parts in new computer systems.

Computers, Cases, Industry legal issue, Litigation, Lawsuit/litigation, Packard Bell NEC Inc.

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