Conference 7.286::digital

3128.0. "Informationweek on DEC" by DKAS::DKAS::RKELLY () Wed Jun 01 1994 15:13

Page 8 of the June 6,1994 issue of Informationweek states,

"March of time: Could the old clock tower on the Mill, the famed headquarters 
of Digital Equipment Corp. in Maynard, Mass., be ticking like a time bomb 
for chairman and CEO Robert Palmer? The embattled executive is said to be 
working under a tight deadline imposed by the company's board of directors
to return Digital to profitability; Palmer himself has promised to do so 
by the end of the year. The rumoured replacement, should one be needed, 
is Phillip Caldwell, former CEO at Ford and currently a member of 
Digital's board."

This is accompanied by a graphic of BP clinging to the hands of the 
Mill clock and sweating.


On page 10 of the same issue, the Informationweek editors voice their 
opinions on the future:

"Handicapping trends is always a tricky business in the information 
systems world. The industry is littered with stories of companies, 
products, and conferences that soared and then soured in the
blink of an eye. Here are our entries in the high-tech sweepstakes - for now."

A box is divided into two columns listing their picks and pans for 
best/worst trade show, chip, and product type. On the Pro side, under 
the heading "GAINS", are listed:

"PC Expo: With more exhibitors and major announcements planned, it could 
          become the trade show giant.
 PowerPC: The backing of IBM and Apple virtually ensures the chip's 
          dominance in the world of RISC.
 Software Suites: They're already more economical, and other vendors' 
          products can be tied in with greater ease than before."

On the Contra side, under the heading "PAINS" are listed:

"Comdex/Spring: Even with the addition of Windows World and fairly 
        high attendance, there was little to brag about.
 Alpha: By betting so heavily on Windows NT, Digital could be taking 
        a risk of an altogether different kind.
 Standalone products: If they can't join established suites, they 
        may not be standing much longer."


Between pages 58 and 59 of this same issue is a four page fold out Digital 
ad entitled "Alpha AXP - the question is not whether, but when. The answer 
is NOW." The ad focuses on Alpha's power, openness, and upgradeability.

I saw that ad and I hated it.  It was too wordy and all it did was make
cost comparisons against systems we used to sell!  There were no head-to-head
comparisons to our competitors re: price/performance etc.

Now I wish I didn't throw it out because I wanted to look at again and see if
it was as bad as my first impression lead me to believe.  But then again, how
many people give ads a second chance to hammer home a point?

Wonder how much it cost to run??? :-(

    
    	More than our frozen salary increases, I'll bet!!
    
    		the Greyhawk