Abstracts » Business, international

Built for speed

Article Abstract:

Altera Corp developed programmable-logic chips and now dominates the worldwide market for this type of flexible semiconductor. Programmable-logic chips eliminate the need to interrupt the design of electronic products that was the main drawback of gate array logic chips. Hence, Altera's chips are especially useful to firms that want to generate new products quickly by adjusting standard parts to new functions. Altera, which was founded in 1983 and which earned $100 million in 1992, retains its hold on the market by devoting 15% of its revenue to research and development.

Semiconductors and related devices, Semiconductor industry, Product information, Market share, Altera Corp., Programmable logic devices, PLDs (Programmable logic devices)

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Software valley

Article Abstract:

Japan's Hokkaido island is characterized by a large number of software companies including Hudson Soft and BUG. Hudson Soft, one of the biggest companies on the island, is a leading manufacturer of software games. Hudson has made several innovations such as the on-screen graphics controlling chip for the famous game machine PC Engine. BUG, another extremely successful company, creates customized software programs mainly for the graphic arts and printing industries. BUG's latest innovation is a program that helps combine a computer and a color laser copier.

Computer software industry, Software industry, Company Profile, Hokkaido, Hudson Soft Ltd.

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Goodbye to fading faxes

Article Abstract:

Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Ltd recently introduced an innovative facsimile machine which prints on plain bonded paper instead of thermal paper. Plain paper does not fade or curl and is only one-third the cost of thermal paper. JetFax, on the other hand, has started to market an innovation which allows laser printers to print facsimile transmissions. Plain paper facsimile machines go for as high as 790,000 yen while the laser printer technology is being sold for less than $3,000 in the US.

Telephone and telegraph apparatus, Fax equipment, Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Ltd., Facsimile equipment, JetFax Inc.

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