Compaq Outlines 1995 Highlights.HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 24, 1996--Following the announcement of its fourth quarter and year-end sales and earnings, Compaq Computer Corporation (company) Compaq Computer Corporation - The largest US manufacturer and vendor of IBM PC compatible personal computers and servers. Compaq was started in 1982 by three ex-Texas Instruments employees. Quarterly sales $2499M, profits $210M (Aug 1994). http://compaq.com/. (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :CPQ CPQ Compaq CPQ Conseil du Patronat du Québec (Canada) CPQ Configure-Price-Quote CPQ Conseil de Presse du Québec (Québec Press Council, Canada) CPQ Companion Parrot Quarterly ) outlined its corporate highlights from fiscal year 1995, in which the company reported sales of $14.8 billion (see separate release). The highlights span the entire organization, from enterprise systems solutions to pre-school products, and include strategic partnerships, corporate acquisitions, innovative technology offerings and new senior executives. Systems and Compaq's Enterprise Computing Refers to information technology in the larger company. See enterprise data and enterprise networking. Strategy During the year, Compaq took dramatic steps forward in its evolution as a leading provider of products and services for the entire distributed computing (1) The use of multiple computers networked throughout a wide geographical area, or the world via the Internet, in order to solve a single problem. See grid computing. (2) The use of multiple computers in an enterprise rather than one centralized system. enterprise. Through a series of announcements made during Innovate 95, Compaq's worldwide industry forum on enterprise computing, the company unveiled new leadership server platforms, announced the formation of strategic alliances, and outlined aggressive new service and support, clustering and internetworking strategies. Compaq announced a new strategy for providing world-class enterprise service and support for customers that require global computing solutions. The worldwide service and support strategy includes the introduction of new Compaq-branded Service and Support Options, a strategic alliance with Digital Multivendor Customer Services to become Compaq's Global Service and Support Provider, new distribution channel service programs, and significant new investments in Compaq's internal worldwide service and support infrastructure. This strategy enables Compaq and its partners to offer total and consistent service solutions to those customers with sites all over the world. In the fourth quarter, Compaq unveiled an internetworking business strategy that enhanced its ability to provide tightly integrated enterprise-class computing systems to its commercial customers. The company announced the formation of an Internetworking Products Group, and a strategic partnership with Cisco Systems “Cisco” redirects here. For other uses, see Cisco (disambiguation). Cisco System,Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO, HKSE: 4333 ) is an American multinational corporation with 54,000 employees and annual revenue of US $28.48 billion as of 2006. , Inc., aimed at delivering the computer industry's first integration of the leading internetworking technology into a value-oriented industry-standard computer platform. To further solidify so·lid·i·fy v. so·lid·i·fied, so·lid·i·fy·ing, so·lid·i·fies v.tr. 1. To make solid, compact, or hard. 2. To make strong or united. v.intr. its internetworking strategy, Compaq announced the acquisitions of Thomas-Conrad Corporation, a privately-held provider of network interface cards and hubs, and Networth, Inc., a leading supplier of Fast Ethernet An earlier name for 100Mbps Ethernet. See 100Base-T. (networking) Fast Ethernet - A version of Ethernet developed in the 1990s(?) which can carry 100 Mbps compared with standard Ethernet's 10 Mbps. It requires upgraded network cards and hubs. hubs, switches and related products. Compaq also announced its server array product strategy which defines the company's roadmap for building even larger and more powerful computer systems by "clustering" industry-standard computers together. This strategy -- which includes alliances with Tandem and Microsoft -- is of extraordinary importance to Compaq customers that need to build massive yet extremely cost-effective computing solutions as part of their own competitive strategies. Delivering midrange midrange Epidemiology The halfway point or midpoint in a set of observations; for most data, MR is calculated as the sum of the smallest observation and the largest observation, divided by 2; for age data, one is added to the numerator; a midrange is usually functionality in its most powerful, most tightly integrated server platforms to date, Compaq introduced new ProLiant 4500 and 1500 models, delivering breakthrough performance and functionality, including the ProLiant 4500 NT/Array model -- the first server product to ship with Microsoft BackOffice See BackOffice. -- providing midrange-class performance and the industry-leading price/performance customers are seeking for line-of-business applications. Another important element of Compaq's strategy to bring added value Added value in financial analysis of shares is to be distinguished from value added. Used as a measure of shareholder value, calculated using the formula:
In November, once again underscoring the importance of industry partnership, Compaq and Oracle demonstrated the industry's first parallel database server technology running on industry-standard platforms. This combination will provide customers with a highly-scaleable, highly-available platform for running business-critical computing systems in the distributed enterprise at prices significantly below currently offered solutions. Commercial Desktops and Intelligent Manageability In the largest product introduction in the company's history, Compaq in March announced more than 100 models of its next generation ProLinea and Deskpro desktop PCs. The new Deskpros were the first products to deliver a breakthrough set of desktop management tools and features that dramatically reduce the total cost of PC ownership. Compaq's "Intelligent Manageability" solutions are the result of bringing the company's innovative server management technology to the desktop, combined with joint development efforts with leading network software providers. In August, the company once again raised the bar for the PC industry with a series of new aggressively priced desktop PCs, strengthening its position as the value leader in the PC marketplace. Extending what was already the broadest range of commercial desktops in the marketplace, Compaq in November launched new desktop PCs featuring the latest technology, including Intel's Pentium Pro The sixth generation of the Intel x86 family of CPU chips. The term may refer to the chip or to a PC that uses it. Introduced in 1995 as the successor to the Pentium, models from 150 MHz to 200 MHz were released. processor and a rewriteable optical CD-ROM drive A device that holds and reads CD-ROM discs. CD-ROM drives generally also play audio CD discs by sending analog sound to the sound card via a 4-pin cable. For specifications of 10x, 20x, etc. drives, see CD-ROM drives. See CD-ROM, CD-ROM changer, CD-ROM server and CD-ROM audio cable. . These new PCs include the Compaq Deskpro The Compaq Deskpro was a line of business-oriented personal computers manufactured by Compaq, discontinued after the merger with Hewlett-Packard. The original Compaq Deskpro, available in several disk configurations, was equipped with an 8MHz 8086 CPU and Compaq's unique XL 6150, Compaq's most powerful desktop ever and the ProLinea 6150E which offers powerful technology at affordable prices. Once again underscoring the importance of partnerships, Compaq and Intel announced a strategic alliance to develop and co-market integrated desktop standards-based, real-time video conferencing See videoconferencing. (communications) video conferencing - A discussion between two or more groups of people who are in different places but can see and hear each other using electronic communications. solutions for the business environment based on Intel's ProShare (TM) Personal Conferencing technology. Compaq's relationship with Intel is expected to result in a broad, multi-product array of interoperable The ability for one system to communicate or work with another. See interoperability. conferencing solutions. Portables In 1995, Compaq, the company that pioneered portable computing, made significant progress in its drive to reassert reassert Verb 1. to state or declare again 2. reassert oneself to become significant or noticeable again: reality had reasserted itself Verb 1. its leadership in the portable PC marketplace. The company launched its new, high-performance LTE (Long Term Evolution) See 3GPP. 5000 family of products, and introduced significant enhancements to its Contura value line. Offering customers one of the most powerful and flexible notebooks in the industry, the LTE 5000 is a high-performance family of Pentium processor-based notebook PCs that features an innovative modular design In the context of systems engineering, modular design — or "modularity in design" — is an approach aiming to subdivide a system into smaller parts (modules) that can be independently created and then used in different systems to drive multiple functionalities. , breakthroughs in flexibility, true 64-bit architecture, and the industry's highest hard drive storage and memory capacity. In June, the company also added new models to its award-winning Compaq Contura value-line of notebook PCs, featuring faster processors, larger displays, higher capacity hard drives and more memory. Consumer Division In 1995, Compaq established itself as a leading player in the rapidly-growing retail PC arena with new industry-leading products, important strategic alliances and the formation of its Consumer Products Division. Early in the year, Compaq formed the Consumer Products Division as part of its on-going effort to intensify the company's focus on consumer PCs and the retail marketplace. Building on the tremendous success of Compaq's family of Presario consumer PCs, the company introduced the industry's first "quad-speed" CD-ROM drives CD-ROM drives, which today typically means a CD-RW drive that is a combo CD-ROM, CD-R and CD-RW drive, come in a variety of speeds. The original drive (1x) transferred data at 150KB per second. on all Presario models early in the year, and in the fourth quarter, introduced the next generation Presario 9500, 7100 and 5500 Series, featuring breakthroughs in audio and video technology. Since their introduction in 1993, the success of Presario PCs have catapulted Compaq to the forefront of the retail PC arena, and have strengthened the company's commitment to make the PC the primary education, entertainment and communications vehicle in the home. In conjunction with the launch of the new Presarios, Compaq also launched a bold advertising campaign focusing on the dramatic impact Compaq PCs are having on people's lives. Entering the exciting field of "edutainment Educational material that is also entertaining. (application) edutainment - Interactive education and entertainment services or software, usually supplied commercially via a cable network or on CD-ROM. " for the first time, Compaq formed a strategic partnership with Fisher-Price, and just after the quarter ended unveiled Wonder Tools, a broad new line of educational and entertainment multimedia products that create a new dimension in play and learning for preschoolers and families using their home PCs. Designed specifically for children ages 3-7 and their families, Wonder Tools includes three product categories: interactive computer toys, preschool-appropriate peripherals, and stand-alone software titles for children and families. The products are designed to be used with any Windows-based PC, and are scheduled to be available in North America North America, third largest continent (1990 est. pop. 365,000,000), c.9,400,000 sq mi (24,346,000 sq km), the northern of the two continents of the Western Hemisphere. during the second half of 1996. Staking its claim in the emerging area of home automation, Compaq made an equity investment in Intellon Corporation, a leading provider of CEBus-compliant technology and tools widely used by manufacturers of lighting controls, security systems, electric meters and consumer electronics. The move was designed to accelerate the convergence of home PCs and home automation technology, and further supports the PC as the information, communications and control center in the home. In the first half of 1995, the company also announced an equity investment in PureSpeech, Inc. to develop new speech recognition products that will greatly enhance the ease-of-use of PCs in the home. Windows 95 As Microsoft's Lead Systems Partner for Windows 95, Compaq played a primary role in the development, testing and launch of Windows 95 in August. Compaq spent the equivalent of 50 man-years testing Windows 95 for compatibility and reliability, assuring customers that Compaq products offer a smooth transition to Windows 95. Following the launch, Microsoft armed its 400-person field sales force and engineering team with Compaq's LTE Elite 5000 to demonstrate to its customers the features and advances provided by Windows 95. Compaq Background Compaq Computer Corporation is the world's largest supplier of personal computers, offering desktop PCs, portable PCs, servers and options. Compaq products are sold and supported in more than 100 countries throughout the world. Compaq also sells directly to customers through Compaq Direct Plus at 1-800-888-5858. Compaq provides 24-hour customer support and can be reached through the Compaq forums on America On-line, CompuServe, Internet (http://www.compaq.com), and Prodigy An online information service that provides access to the Internet, e-mail and a variety of databases. Launched in 1988, Prodigy was the first consumer-oriented online service in the U.S. , or by calling 1-800-345-1518. -0- Product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. CONTACT: Compaq Computer Corproation Bob Beach, Yvonne Donaldson 713/514-0484 or Miller/Shandwick Technologies Tony Sapienza, Donna Ruane 617/536-0470 druane@millercom.com |
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