One high-tech race where U.S. leads: personal computers; otherwise formidable Japan is surprisingly laggard in automating its offices; a case of 'keyboard allergy.' (microcomputers)

Article Abstract:

Japanese companies are finally automating their offices to the extent that their manufacturing plants are: the microcomputer has arrived. While manufacturing firms are heavy with robotic and computer equipment, Japanese offices have remained labor-intensive and extremely low in productivity. At the Ministry of International Trade and Industry's Machinery and Information Industries Bureau, 24 people share one microcomputer. Companies are beginning to automate, however. Microcomputer sales in Japan in the first six months of 1989 were 34 percent higher than the same period in 1988. One company has spent roughly one-year's profits to double the number of microcomputers in its office. The process is going to take time. A proper ratio of microcomputers in an office is one thing; proper software and efficient usage of the equipment is another.

Usage, Microcomputers, Information management, Corporations, Office automation, Office practice, Microcomputer, Corporations, Japanese

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Nippon Steel, in a diversification move, to make, sell notebook-sized computers

Article Abstract:

Nippon Steel Corp is planning to make and sell notebook-sized computers that will be compatible with IBM microcomputers. The largest steelmaker in the developed world plans on selling the laptop computers in the US and will not consider selling it in the less-developed Japanese computer market until it has proven itself in the US. Nippon Steel hopes to create a leading-edge laptop computer and intends on using Intel Corp's 80386SX and 80286 microprocessors. The 386 version will cost around $4,500 and the 286 version will cost around $3,500, prices that are basically the same as similar laptop computers currently on sale in the US. Nippon Steel's diversification strategy is aimed at averting an expected worldwide decline in steel demand of about 10 percent between 1990 and 1995.

PRIMARY METAL INDUSTRIES, Management, Product development, Steel industry, Business planning, Laptop computers, Strategic Planning, Computer Industry, Nippon Steel Corp.

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Fujitsu unveils mainframe computers that may out-muscle IBM's new line

Article Abstract:

Fujitsu Ltd announces it will introduce a new line of mainframe computers that it claims are the highest performance general purpose computers in the world. The announcement is timed to take some of the spotlight from IBM, which will introduce its first new generation of mainframe computers in five years the following day. Fujitsu, since its acquisition of International Computers Ltd, is the second largest computer firm in the world. Fujitsu did not release any details about its new computers, but it claims they will be three times more powerful than its existing high-end machines. Fujitsu hopes the new machines will shore up its market share in Japan, which has deteriorated at the hands of IBM and Hitachi Ltd.

Product information, Product introduction, International Business Machines Corp., IBM, Mainframe computers, International competition (Economics), Fujitsu Ltd., product announcement, Mainframe Computer, Japanese Competition

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