Siebel faces sales test as firms curb spending

Article Abstract:

Siebel Systems Inc.'s end-of-quarter selling blitz may have helped the firm in its toughest quarter ever, as companies grow reluctant to spend large amounts on software. Despite the economic downturn in the country at large, Siebel's second-quarter profit rose 56%, to $76.5 million. In addition to economic pressures, Siebel faces competion from Oracle, SAP AG and PeopleSoft Inc., whose Customer Relationship Management software products are finally ready for market

Siebel Systems Inc., SEBL

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Multimedia's hype hides virtual reality: an industry shakeout; despite CD-ROMs' boom, few titles are big hits; many makers founder; how a firm lost 'Tommy.'

Article Abstract:

The multimedia CD-ROM industry may not be living up to its early promise and hype appears to be exceeding actual sales in all respects. Many start-up firms have fizzled as the fledgling industry struggles with growing pains and the reality of venture financing. A consulting firm has surveyed 912 multimedia developers and found that 96% of them failed to post a profit in 1994. Another research firm discovered that, even though 2,057 multimedia titles had been released by Dec 1994, close to 20% of the releases only sold 10 copies each and 90 titles sold one copy apiece. One New York start-up, Eidolon, appeared in about 50 news articles, including a Business Week cover story, but may have laid off most of its employees in Dec 1994 according to an insider. Between 600 and 1,700 developers are competing for shelf space at stores that generally stock only 300 to 500 titles. About half of the CD-ROMs sold are included in bundled packages marketed with new systems, generating only a few dollars per copy for the CD-ROM publisher.

Computer storage devices, Optical & Laser Memories, Multimedia systems, Databases, CD-ROM, CD-ROM disks, Sales, Catalogs, Sales Analysis, Multimedia Technology, Market Trend Market Analysis, CD-ROM Catalog

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Canceled programs: software is becoming an online service, shaking up an industry; users tapping applications on the Web force firms to reconfigure strategy; a threat to Wintel's power?

Article Abstract:

Computer users are turning the worlds of Intel and Microsoft on their heads by renting functions from Internet services, or even getting them free, as opposed to buying the equivalent software. The $600 billion software industry is beginning to change into an online service, a many companies are substituting "software" in their business plans for "applications service providers". Companies like Corel use their Web sites to sell products that can be updated every week, which cannot be done efficiently after the sale of the CD-ROM. Quickly, companies are remaking themselves into Web sites and services with on-line software.

Electronic computers, Electronic Computer Manufacturing, Services development, Dedicated Computers, Services, Technology development, Servers (Computers), Gateways (Computer networks), Gateways (Network hardware), Gateway device

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