Lotus Notes and I.B.M.: still happy together?
Article Abstract:
IBM starts to determine the value of its Lotus acquisition as it ships Lotus Notes 4.0 and as it learns that Notes developer Ray Ozzie plans to stay with the company. The release of Notes marks the first full upgrade since mid-1994, a delay which received some criticism, but which Ozzie says was vital to improving the complex product. Notes faces challenges from the Internet, which promises workgroup-like functions at a lower cost. Corporate networks tend to favor Notes, however, because it provides more security and currently offers more functions than an Internet implementation. Ozzie's championing of Notes is part of IBM's plan to increase the visibility of the man credited with inventing Notes. Ozzie was the most important human resource in the acquisition, and some had feared that he would leave after former Lotus CEO Jim P. Manzi left. Instead, Ozzie is already working on later versions of Notes.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1996
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Many Lotus workers seem pleased to have a suitor come calling
Article Abstract:
Many of the employees at Lotus are happy about IBM's plans to acquire the company in a hostile takeover bid valued at $3.3 billion. Employees see the possible acquisition as positive because it could reduce the threat of layoffs, will make many employees wealthier through an increase in the value of Lotus' stock and will allow the company to compete more effectively with its arch-rival Microsoft. Lotus CEO Jim Manzi is upset by the possibility of the merger but his ability to fight off the bid or enhance his company's position has been weakened by the fact that no other company has made a bid for Lotus. Analysts had thought that a company such as AT&T would make an offer, but officials from that company say that they are not interested in Lotus.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1995
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A report spurs Lotus share price; some analysts see bid coming from AT&T
Article Abstract:
An article from computer industry trade publication PC Week reports that AT&T is holding talks with executives from Lotus about the possibility of acquiring the company. The rumor drove up the price of Lotus shares by $2 to $42 on Jan 9, 1995. The article also reported that Lotus is about to complete a deal with Nippon Telegraph and Telephone to offer Lotus Notes to its customers. Spokespersons from Lotus and AT&T declined to comment, but industry analysts report that a merger between the two companies would benefit both companies because Lotus Notes could be an industry standard for groupware communications if it sold more copies of the software. Other analysts believe AT&T does not need Lotus and could obtain groupware technology elsewhere.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1995
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