Unisys to sell Timeplex unit for $207 million; Swiss, South African firms join as buyers; move to ease burden of debt

Article Abstract:

Unisys Corp sells its Timeplex Inc subsidiary for $207 million in cash to a joint venture firm created by Ascom Holding AG of Switzerland and Mercedes Information Technologies Ltd of South Africa. The deal, which is expected to be closed by Aug 31, 1991, eases Unisys' $3.87 billion debt burden. It also gives credence to Unisys' claim that sales of assets are possible even under a recession. Unisys has been trying to divest itself of its big assets for more than a year to meet its goal of reducing its debt by at least $600 million by the end of 1991. Company officials say no loss will be recorded in the Timeplex sale despite the fact that Unisys paid $330 million for it in 1988. Under the terms of the sale, Ascom will own a 51 percent interest and operate the joint venture. Timeplex will maintain its name and enter into a joint marketing agreement to service Unisys customers.

Communications Equipment, Mergers, acquisitions and divestments, Telecommunications services industry, Telecommunications industry, Unisys Corp., UIS, Debt, Divestiture, Divestment, Acquisition, Timeplex Inc., Ascom Holding Ltd., Mercedes Information Technologies (Proprietary) Ltd.

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High-tech gamble; Xerox tries to shed its has-been image with big new machine; will the do-it-all 'Xenith' revolutionize the office or join a list of failures? One las legacy of PARC

Article Abstract:

Xerox Corp plans to announce a $200,000 machine on Oct 2, 1990, that combines high-speed computing, printing, scanning, facsimile and computing capabilities into a single unit. The output aims to match the quality associated with offset printing. The machine will augment the wide-ranging package of computers and software announced on Sep 19, 1990. The technology is a strategic attempt by Xerox to automate the office and provide seamless solutions to companies swamped with paperwork. Xerox is using an approach that is easy-to-use, provides consistent displays, facilitates good communications and emphasizes work groups. The new system will eventually be able to take in everything an office now receives - paper documents, computer information, pictures, graphics and mail - and process and redistribute the information.

Product development, Xerox Corp., XRX, Technological forecasting, Business planning, Office automation, Trends, Strategic Planning, Company Profile, Future of Computing

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IBM, Apple join Microsoft rivals over standards

Article Abstract:

Apple and IBM plan to announce their support for the efforts of the Interactive Multimedia Association (IMA) to standardize multimedia technology. Industry observers see the move by the computer makers as a defiant gesture against Microsoft Corp, a the software giant attempting to take charge of the emerging multimedia market. IMA, which was founded in 1988, is a non-profit organization that has over 170 members. Microsoft, which has already introduced its own set of multimedia standards, indicates that it will join the IMA and denies that any hostilities exists between it and the rest of the computer industry. IMA plans to develop multimedia specifications for various combinations of hardware.

Prepackaged software, Standards, Computer software industry, Software industry, Microsoft Corp., Standard, Standardization, International Business Machines Corp., IBM, AAPL, MSFT, Multimedia technology, Multimedia systems, Apple Inc., Competition, Interactive Multimedia Association

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