Software preferences still mark Europe as the Old World; applications like painting, selling well in U.S., lag behind venerable standbys
Article Abstract:
A study of European purchases of personal-computer software indicates that the popularity of programs such as word processors and spreadsheets that date back to the early 1980s remains high. In contrast, new programs such as drawing, painting and relational databases that are rapidly gaining popularity in the United States are lagging in Europe. The report, from the Software Publishers Association Europe, indicates that 60 percent of the $1.69 billion European purchases in 1992 from US software publishers was for spreadsheets and word processors. In the United States, those two product categories made up only 43 percent of sales. US software houses still heavily promote their flagship products in Europe. Also, software packages cost 15 percent to 80 percent more in Europe than in the United States, leaving consumers there with less money for new products. Notably, Microsoft Windows-based programs accounted for 56 percent of European sales, compared to only 41 percent in the United States.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1993
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Europe software firms leading the way in computer industry on the Continent
Article Abstract:
The European computer software industry is doing well, even in a time when hardware manufacturers there are suffering from an economic slowdown. Kristoffer Sygel, who manages European operations for MIPS Computer Systems, foresees a 'European renaissance' in software. Software companies in Europe, unlike many hardware manufacturers there, tend to be small, dynamic companies. Programmers working for such service-sector companies are at no disadvantage. European software companies tend to combine talent, enterprise and good service, and the market is sufficiently strong to provide good support for them. SAP AG, a German company, is an example of a successful European company. In 1990, SAP's sales increased 36 percent, to 499.1 million marks ($285.7 million), and net income was up 20 percent, to 82.1 million marks.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1991
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License needed to do art deals in digital age
Article Abstract:
Software companies are searching throughout Europe looking to acquire the digital production rights to famous paintings and photographs to be used in CD-ROMs and electronic networks. A CD-ROM can store hundreds of digitized images which can be manipulated and users can call up music or commentary to coincide with the art work. Housing a museum's collection on computer disk would allow users to use a floor plan layout and click on a picture from a particular room. Users can also print the works they like. Electronic publishers are looking for nonexclusive rights to reproduce the high-quality color images museums reserve for their archives and shops. Publishers pay up to $150 per piece for this right and between 5% to 12% in royalties per sale.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1995
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