Power Tools 1993 October - Disc 2/Power Tools (Disc 2)(October 1993)(HP).iso/compet/new/action/ca930107.txt

Text File | 1993-03-16 | 18KB | 330 lines

                F O R   I N T E R N A L   U S E   O N L Y
                  COMPETITIVE ACTION  -  WEEKLY UPDATE
                             JANUARY 7, 1993

Welcome to the new Competitive Action Weekly.  The task of creating and
delivering this weekly update has been moved to the Cupertino Competitive
Group.  We all extent our appreciation for an outstanding job done by the
previous editor, Kelly Hall.  Kelly has moved on to a new function providing
support out of Fort Collins.

If you need more information about these articles, please send an HP Desk
message to Competitive HP/6650  Include your name, non-telnet FAX number
and the number that precedes the article you need.
If you would like to be added, deleted or you have changed locations, please
send a message to Competitive HP/6650.

Competitive Action is posted to HP-UX notes in the group hp.marketing.  The
string is entitled "hp.competition for <date>".

CW = Computer World                               OST = Open Systems Today
DNR = Digital news & review                       SO = Sun Observer
EN = Electronic News                              SW = Sun World
IW = Information Week                             UW = Unix Review
MR = Midrange Systems                             WSJ = Wall Street Journal

Editor,
Nadine Halsted

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                             AMDAHL ARTICLES
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1.
** AMDAHL SEES THE LIGHT, PREPARES SPARC MIGRATION
(EN, 1/4/93, pg. 1)
Amdahl, realizing the shift to downsizing, is crating a migration path to Sparc-
based Unix multiprocessing servers.  The Huron application development
environment has been repositioned as a tool for moving mainframe UTS Unix
and Proprietary MVS applications to its new Sparc platform.  This represents a
complete strategy for customers wishing to downsize.  However, this product
will not be available until late 1993.  (Competitive analysis:  This could be a
significant competitor for HP's own IBM downsizing efforts.  This is the same
MVS that runs on IBM mainframe systems and Amdahl is offering a one-stop
shopping strategy - hardware, software and migration tools from a single
vendor.)

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                               DIGITAL ARTICLES
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2.
** DIGITAL WILL DELAY PLAN FOR INCENTIVE SALES PAY
(WSJ,12/31/92,pg.B6)
Digital has been the only major computer vendor that does not use a
commission based compensation plan for their sales force.  This may have
limited Digital's ability to attract top sales people.  Robert Palmer, the new
president vowed to start this new pay structure in January but now has
suggested a July start date. The new plan pays salespeople their current salary
for making quota, less if they miss it, and significantly more if they exceed
it.

3.
** 1992: THE POEM (CW,12/28/92,pg.72)
Excerpt from this poem:
O'er at DEC, Bob Palmer's hip
To find someone to buy his chip;
But in the meantime, let's face facts-
No one wants to buy a VAX.

4.
** THE BEST PRODUCTS OF 1992 DEC'S ALPHA SERIES
(UW,1/93,pg.48)
UnixWorld gave credit for the most important product announcement of 1992
to Digital Equipment Corp. for its lightning-speed Alpha systems.  Technical
achievements include the Alpha chips that start at 150 MHz and is expected to
increase to 200MHz this year.  According to DEC, the faster speed is the result
of its patented advances in low-volt technology.  (Competitive analysis:  What
good is fast hardware without software?  DEC is aiming to have a whooping
number of  applications available by June of 1993.  Compare this whooping
number of 500 to HP's thousands that are tested and deliverable today.
Migration to Alpha is just as easy as migrating to another vendors proprietary
system!  DEC has not delivered any TPC benchmark numbers and I wonder
why.  Not until Q2 of '93, will C++, Ada, and TPC/IP services be available and
in  Q3 of '93, OSI and All-in-1.  Q1 or Q2 of 1994, will bring users
VMScluster and volume.)

5.
** DEC EVALUATES FUTURE OF ENTIRE SOFTWARE LINE
(DNR,12/21/92,pg.1)
DEC confirmed that it is evaluating all  software offerings and some may end up
in maintenance mode while others will be eliminated.  However, no decisions
have been reached  on which products will be affected.  Sources close to DEC
believe VAX-based CASE tools, design tools  and imaging tools are
vulnerable.  (Competitive analysis:  With the added requirements of Alpha's
software creation, DEC's installed accounts must be very concerned about
future software support.  Avoid the future headaches and convert to HP today.)

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                              HP ARTICLES
******************************************************************************

6.
**  HP AT HOME ON THE MIDRANGE (IW,12/21-28/92,pg.56)
According to InfoCorp, a market research firm, HP has passed Digital
Equipment in U.S. revenue for midrange computers.  HP now holds the
number 2 spot with 17%.  IBM still leads with 24%.

7.
**  1992's TOP PRODUCTS AND SERVICES  THE 10 MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED
(IW,12/21-28/92,pg.28)
OpenView, installed in more than 11,000 networks, provides integrated
network and system management for multivendor distributed computing
environments.  Another feather was added when OSF selected it as a key
component for DME.  The latest release manages OSI and TCP/IP networks.

8.
**  IS "DOWNSIZE OR SCRAM" YOUR MANTRA?  (CW,12/28/92,pg.104)
More than 2,000 attended the Computer Measurement Group Conference and
showed an intense interest in the ability to measure, model and forecast
performance of local-area  networks and other distributed systems.  The only
vendor product mentioned in the article was HP's PerfView.  This product was
used as an opportunity for Unix users to manage heterogeneous networked
environments from a global perspective.

9.
** HP ADDS BUSINESS SERVER SYSTEMS (OST,1/4/93,pg.32)
HP, solidifying both its Unix and proprietary business server lines, has rolled
out 17 systems built for configurability.  Included are 13 Unix boxes sectored
into four classes of systems.  Boxes will be expandable to two-way multiprocess-
ing in mid-1993.  Four new MPE/iX boxes were also introduced, as were new
POSIX-compliant programming and user interface features.  When  compared to
IBM's AS/400 and RS/6000 systems or the the SPARCserver, HP's new systems were
more price competitive.

10.
**  OLTP SHOPPING?  LOOK NO FURTHER (OST,1/4/93,pg.6)
One way to evaluate different vendors systems is offered by the Transaction
Processing Council.  This group publishes benchmarks on 20 hardware platforms,
22 operating systems and 13 databases. Included is a list of top performing
hardware / OS / DBMS combinations and top price / performance combinations.
HP appears on both tpsA rankings but isn't included in the top 5 for tpsB
rankings.  HP is a star performer this quarter with the HP9000/Software AG
Adabas combination.

11.
** HP FOCUS - A SUPPLEMENT FOR THE HEWLETT-PACKARD USER COMMUNITY - MAKING
ANOTHER MIGRATION (OST,14/93,pg.HP1)
Washington State funds a distributed computing model.  Communications
Technology Center (CTC) in Redmond, Wash. is a state agency that
streamlines administrative and fiscal operating procedures for the state's 32
community and technical colleges and other state agencies.   HP won a
contract in 1982 against DEC, IBM and others.  CTC has since purchased
about 40 HP 3000s and rewritten all the applications it once had on the Sperry-
Univac mainframes.  System wide, CTC has more than 3,000 serially-
connected workstations, including PCs, Macs and terminals, linked to the HP
3000s.

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                            IBM ARTICLES
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12.
** BARGAIN HUNTERS TAKE HEED: IBM STOCK COULD STILL FALL, SO TAKE A RAIN
CHECK (WSJ,12/29/92,pg.C1)
IBM's 1992 high of 100 3/8 was double the current stock prices that are
hovering in the high 40's and low 50's.  One analyst predicts IBM's stock will
fall to the low 40's and IBM may cut half of its 200,000-person sales force.
IBM has predicted that it will take $7 billion in pretax charges for asset
write-offs and job cuts.  Mr. Akers promised that IBM will be a bigger player
in the lucrative computer-services and software markets.  (Competitive analysis:
Compare this to HP's stock and its continual climb from 50 1/4 to 72.)

13.
** IBM AND BULL UNVEIL RISC PLANS (UW,1/93,pg.16)
IBM plans include a cluster architecture based on Power RISC due out in 1994.
This will be a four- and eight-way system built on a more powerful 620 RISC
chip.  Bull will use the current 601 RISC chip to provide a Bull/IBM MP
system with 4-, 8- and 16- way systems.  This will also be available in late
1993.  (Competitive analysis:  HP's technology in the area of multiprocessing
is available today).

14.
** IBM FUTURE HINGES ON SERIOUS MOVE TOWARD OPENNESS
(OST,1/4/93,pg.1)
IBM's problems stem not so much from the pace of technological change, but
by advances in the open systems movement.  IBM was not expecting this rapid
change.  One analyst points out that while IBM was planning and
implementing SAA, HP was putting efforts into Unix and transitioning to the
Precision Architecture.  The results reflect HP's strategic vision and
concentrated efforts.  In June of 1992, there were 23,000 mainframe sites,
4,000 fewer than 3 years ago.  IBM must refocus the company on lower-
margin open systems products instead of highly profitable, proprietary, fast-
dying products.  (Competitive analysis:  Remember IBM's SAA is still in the
design phase and may be replaced by an "Open SAA".)

15.
** IBM BOLSTERS CLIENT/SERVER RESOURCES (MS,12/22/92,pg.1)
The new Client/Server computing (C/S) unit reports directly to president Jack
Kuehler.  Plans include C/S centers worldwide that demonstrate systems
based on IBM and non-IBM products.  IBM will bring its expertise in database,
OS, networking, and RISC to create new services and solutions.  The centers
will make major investments to increase service capabilities in C/S areas such
as consulting, design, education, installation and outsourcing.  (Competitive
analysis:  IBM will continue to concentrate in areas with high margins.)

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                           MIPS ARTICLES
*****************************************************************************

16.
**  MIPS ANNOUNCES R4400 CHIP  (UW,1/93,pg.18)
MIPS announced its next generation 64-bit microprocessor, the 150-MHz
MIPS R4400 and claimed a performance of more than 100 SPECmarks.
However, one analyst points out that other RISC vendors have more software
written for their chips and this gives them an advantage.  (Competitive
analysis: Sell solutions not hardware.)

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                         PYRAMID ARTICLES
*****************************************************************************


17.
** PYRAMID: DOWNSIZING SOLUTIONS  (UW,1/93,pg.16)
A new UNIX server, the MISserver ES Series was announced.  The ES scales
to 24 processors, delivers 768 mips and is aimed at companies that are
downsizing from IBM mainframes.  Pyramid played down the hardware and
focused instead on an agreement with systems integrators Comdisco and
Integris.  The three companies will develop and market open system-based
solutions for the IBM mainframe market.

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                           SUN ARTICLES
****************************************************************************

18.
** THE BEST PRODUCTS OF 1992 - SUN'S MICROSPARC
(UW,1/93,pg.55)
Sun was able to price the SPARCclassic at less than $4,000 for quantities of 12
or more and is fully configurable.  It comes with 207MB disk, color monitor
and 16MB of memory.The SPARCclassic brings the price of a Unix system
within approximately $1,500 of a robust 486 PC and may be an alternative.

19.
**  MIGRATION'S A LIABILITY FOR SOLARIS 2.X (OST,1/4/93,pg.10)
Users at the Sun User Group conference were more concerned with a difficult
migration process rather than the benefits of the OS.  Changes include
multithreading support, different commands and file systems, a virus checker
and the C compiler has been unbundled.  An increase in performance at the
eight-processor level will also be available.  However, users argued migrating
to a new OS is a considerable task.  (Competitive analysis:  How does a user
stay on schedule and convert to a new release?  How much does it cost and
what are the risks?)

20.
** NEW SUN SERVICE FACILITATES RIGHTSIZING (SO,1/93,pg.8)
Sun Integration Services is assisting Sun customers with planning and
implementing major technology transformations, selecting partners, and
serving as project mangers or prime contractors.  The group will initially
include 50 professionals from key technology areas within Sun that have
experience in client-server technology.

21.
** SUNSOFT RELEASES SOLARIS 2.1 WITH ADDED FEATURES
(SO,1/93,pg.6)
This new version delivers up to 40 percent increase in network performance
and up to 50 percent in user interaction.  It includes full SMP, multithreading
and major enhancements in graphics providing 2-d and 3-d capabilities.  New
installation features: Jumpstart configures systems across network wit no user
interaction required, an upgrade foundation for future upgrades to Solaris.
New administration features; Online backup across the network, a graphical
tool to add new accounts and build directories on remote servers, a database
management tool to review and modify information in the central
administration DB, a graphical interface for print servers, a host manager tool
for configuring client systems, and an ICON based software manager.  A XGL
graphics library for vendors needing a programming interface, hardware device
driver and run-time environment.  This 2.1 environment is priced the same as
2.0 at $795 in single quantity.  No charge for upgrades.  (Competitive analysis:
Again, what is the risk associated with converting to the new release? )

22.
** SPARCCENTER 2000 DEVELOPERS PROMISE MAINFRAME-UNIX MIGRATION TOOLS AT
SPARCCENTER 2000 ROLLOUT (SW,1/93,pg.26)
Sun has built several partnerships with IBM mainframe and minicomputer
software vendors.  The goal is to build an enticing bridge to users and the
SPARCcenter 2000.  For the 250,000 IBM System/36 installations, Sun
partnered with Universal Software.  This company offers a S/36 emulator for
RS/6000 and SPARC systems.  It does not require the programmer to learn
Unix because all its interfaces are the same as the S/36 environment.
Anderson Consulting plans to offer its CASE tool Foundation for Cooperative
Processing.  This currently  runs on IBM's PS/2.  Epoch Systems will provide
an interface for optical discs.  Computer Associates provides utilities for
security, file management, scheduling, commercial processing, spooling and
other management tools.  A joint marketing and development agreement with
Legent provides plans to integrate commercial strength tools and mainframe
solutions to off-load mainframe processors on Sun boxes. (Competitive
analysis: Sun is definitely focusing on the commercial environment and the
downsizing phenomenon)

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                       OPERATING SYSTEM ARTICLES
*****************************************************************************

23.
**  AT&T AGREES TO TURN OVER UNIX TO NOVELL
(EN,1/4/93,pg.4)
AT&T will turn over ownership of the workstation operating system to Novell
in return for a three percent share in the LAN company.  As part of the deal,
Novell may receive 100% of the shares in Unix System Labs (USL) and USL's
DCE.  Also, the widely-used C and the Tuxedo on-line transaction processing
environment will move to Novell.

24.
** NOVELL TO BUY UNIX PLEDGES TO UPHOLD 'OPEN' TRADITION
(OST,1/4/93,pg.1)
Novell will continue to honor Unix's traditional open development and source-
code access procedures.  It will run USL as an independent subsidiary that will
keep all current early-access and OEM relationships intact.  The deal,
announced 12/21, calls for Novell to exchange its own stock for USL stock, a
plan that will cost Novell approximately $333 million.

25.
**  NOVELL TO BUY UNIX - LICENSEES WELCOME BIG RED TO FORTHCOMING WINDOWS NT
BATTLE (OST,1/4/93,pg.1)
Unix vendors perceive that Novell will use this to help steal users away form
the Redmond, Washington based Microsoft.  Several potential hazards
expressed by Unix licensees include that Novell might change the policy of
compliance with third-party standards such as those set by X/Open, and that
Unix might become less prevalent on high-end servers  because of Novell's
historic focus on PC's and other low-end systems.