Computers indicate mood at Big Blue is practically indigo

Article Abstract:

Two low-level IBM managers deployed a computer bulletin board for a short time, in May 1991, to elicit employee feedback regarding morale and other concerns. The managers erased the thousands of messages on file from the central computer after a week, but employees helped to reconstruct a nearly complete copy. IBM executives claim the messages do not reflect the mood of company personnel, but executives have sorted through the messages to glean constructive suggestions. Employees' evaluations of IBM Chmn John Akers reveal a range of opinions from appreciative to bitter. While some resent Akers' 35 percent increase, others credit him with the talent to solve IBM's financial problems. IBM Senior VP Walt Burdick claims spirits are high based on the company's official morale survey.

Management, Reports, Bureaucracy, Job satisfaction, Employee morale, Management Style, Employee Relations, Financial Stability, Akers, John

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IBM again delays its entry into market for laptop PCs

Article Abstract:

IBM will postpone its entry into the burgeoning laptop computer market until at least the first quarter of 1991. While IBM has never officially announced an introduction date for its laptop, many industry analysts were expecting to see it out before the end of 1990. Analysts speculate that IBM is experiencing production problems. The result of the delay is that IBM will continue to sit on the sidelines watching a laptop market that will be worth $5.3 billion in 1990, and is expected to grow at 24 percent a year through the next five years. Observers say IBM does not want to introduce a laptop that is not competitive with top computers from other vendors. Two IBM portable rollouts in the 1980s failed.

Laptop computers, Market Entry, Product Delay, Product introduction delays

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IBM is said to be ready to announce new line of AS/400 minicomputers

Article Abstract:

The new line of AS/400 minicomputers that IBM plans to announce in Apr 1991 will have central processors that are 50 percent faster than the processors used in earlier models. IBM executives also noted that prices for the line of AS/400 minicomputers will be cut by as much as a third, which will increase the price/performance ratio of the machines by as much as 55 percent. Industry analysts note that sales of the AS/400 minicomputer have slowed considerably in the 1st qtr of 1991; a strategy to increase sales is very important to the number one computer maker since the sale of the AS/400 accounts for 20 percent of IBM's revenue.

Business planning, Minicomputers, Performance/Cost Relationship, Minicomputer, Product Development, Pricing Policy, IBM AS/400 (Minicomputer)

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