A computer star's new advance
Article Abstract:
Executives at Seymour Cray's Cray Computer Corp believe they have overcome obstacles to manufacturing new supercomputers. Their machines, they say, can be produced in volume. Despite reports of progress, the project is thought to represent a gamble. The new computer faces competition from a machine being developed by Cray Research; former Cray protege Steven S. Chen has formed a company of his own, backed financially by IBM; and there are other competitors, including Thinking Machines Inc, working on new techniques that link hundreds or thousands of computers together. Whether Seymour Cray wins out will depend on whether he can master the process of using gallium arsenide (GaAs) as an alternative to silicon in semiconductor chips. GaAs promises lower power consumption, improved resistance to radiation and higher temperatures than silicon, and GaAs chips could theoretically perform five or six times as fast as silicon chips.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: News, opinion and commentary
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1990
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Unisys's creator stepping down
Article Abstract:
W. Michael Blumenthal will step down as chief executive at Unisys Corp, which Blumenthal created in a 1986 merger of Burroughs Corp and Sperry Corp. The company did well for the first two years after the merger, but has declined since then. The years since have been particularly bad ones for Unisys, consequent to a slowdown in military spending. Blumenthal says that his company might have done some things differently if Unisys had anticipated Gorbachev and the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe. Unisys has reported a loss of $639.3 million on revenues of $10.1 billion for 1989, compared with a profit of $680.6 million on revenues of $9.94 billion in 1988. The company plans to reduce debt by selling some businesses and real estate. Blumenthal will become a limited partner at Lazard Freres & Co. He will remain Unisys's chairman for a time, to ease the company's management transition.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: News, opinion and commentary
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1990
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I.B.M's chief criticizes staff again
Article Abstract:
IBM Chmn John F. Akers, who severely criticized his employees in Apr 1991, makes his point again in June, saying that some IBM employees are not working hard enough and some do not understand that they have a 'personal stake in declining market share, revenue and profits.' Akers reiterated his earlier statement that 'a healthy level of concern and urgency,' earlier referred to as 'tension,' is a good thing for the company. Asked if he holds himself at all responsible for IBM's difficulties, Akers said that he does, and he added that IBM's management team, to whom much authority has been delegated, will also be responsible and accountable. Analysts foresee the possibility of more cost-cutting at IBM.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: News, opinion and commentary
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1991
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- Abstracts: A new supercomputer is introduced by I.B.M. I.B.M. offers work stations and breaks its traditions. New Digital software links various products
- Abstracts: For the home computer user, a neat Compaq challenger to the Macintosh. New I.B.M. line emphasizes service contracts; but the price still exceeds those of comparable machines from its competitors
- Abstracts: Army computer expert joins research group. Microsoft president comes from Boeing. President of Microsoft plans June retirement
- Abstracts: U.S. maker of chips in alliance: Advanced Micro teams with Fujitsu. Europe sets prices for Japan's chips
- Abstracts: Improving mainframes at I.B.M.: chips being utilized as way to counter desktop competition. I.B.M. joins Siemens in developing chips