InformationWeek: The Business Value of Technology

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November 15, 1999

Vendor Analysis:
Changing Times For Hardware Vendors
E-business strategies and new services are key to staying relevant in new marketplace

Related links:
  • Compaq Thinks Smaller For E-Business

  • HP Targets Low-End Market For Business Desktops
  • And from our sister publications:
  • Computer Reseller News Facing white-box woes
  • Any way you slice it, it's been an interesting year for the leading systems vendors. In the last few months, Compaq has experienced tumultuous changes, including the resignation of president and CEO Eckhard Pfeiffer; Hewlett-Packard has worked to reinvigorate its business with a sharp focus on E-services; and IBM has fallen back to earth, with its astounding first- and second-quarter earnings followed by a mixed third quarter--partly because companies put off large system purchases until the Y2K issue is resolved.

    Dell Computer has continued to be a hard-charging force, increasing its revenue, market share, and income, and aggressively pursuing plans to expand further into the enterprise space via new services and storage offerings.

    Meanwhile, analysts continue to predict strong growth for Sun Microsystems, which leads in the Unix arena and among many dot-com companies.

    Indeed, it's not only the systems vendors who have gotten religion about developing an E-business strategy. Intel has set a goal of becoming a key player in E-business hardware and services, and launched its first Internet data center this fall.

    All this can add up to confusing times for IT managers planning infrastructure strategies. This special report analyzes the major commercial PC vendors--their financial health, product strategies, and the business trends that are affecting them--as well as the leading Unix vendor, Sun, and microprocessor powerhouse Intel.

  • Compaq Struggles With PC Business
    Nonstop E-business initiative is Vital to vendor's successful turnaround

  • Strong Network Focus Makes Sun's Future Bright

  • Dell Finds Success In Its Custom-Build Strategy
    Vendor looks to enterprise-systems business to continue its high rate of growth

  • Hewlett-Packard's Makeover Starts Turning Heads
    Revamp touts new CEO and ambitious Web-service initiatives

  • IBM's Mixed Third Quarter Reflects Market Changes
    Hardware profits suffer due to Y2K slowdown; PC line continues to cut expenses

  • Intel Aims High In Server And Services Markets

  • PDF file: Selected Server Vendors And Offerings
    (To view a PDF file, you must first have the Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

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