| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 242.1 | ... there are acquisitions ... and there are partylines | AIKIDO::SUTHERLAND | Simon - MIS (AI Center Europe) | Fri Nov 02 1990 12:06 | 31 |
| Just for the record...
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Digital - Acquires financial services business of Data Logic
{Livewire, 1-Nov-90}
Digital has announced the acquisition of the financial services business of
Data Logic, Ltd. The division, headquartered in London, is a leading supplier
of financial information distribution systems for trading rooms. The
acquisition gives Digital additional expertise in systems integration and the
development, implementation, and support of UNIX-based systems. Data Logic
systems are installed in more than thirty banks throughout Europe.
According to Bill Steul, vice president, Services Business Group, "This
acquisition, which highlights Digital's commitment to open systems,
strengthens our ability to offer customers all the services and technology
needed to build integrated trading rooms."
Per-Olof Loof, director of service industries for Digital in Europe, added,
"Data Logic's experience in developing, installing and integrating financial
trading systems, particularly under UNIX, is well known to European financial
services companies. "They have strong skills in an area that is strategically
important to Digital."
Under the terms of the agreement, Digital will assume all operations of the
division, including employment of approximately 100 people, support for their
installed systems and performance under their customer contracts.
Digital will also now own the rights to Data Logic trading-related products
including a UNIX-based digital distribution product, video switch products
and application development tools.
Data Logic is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Raytheon United Kingdom, Ltd.
---
UNIX is a trademark of AT&T.
<
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| 242.2 | ...and more acquisitions ... | KETJE::VANDEVYVER | Luc Van de Vyver 856-7577 | Tue Nov 06 1990 16:52 | 23 |
| > A. It is not and has never been Digital's policy to acquire companies or
> technology, and we do not expect an exception to be made in this instance.
if my information is correct, there are a few other products/technologies which
were 'found' on the market ...:
- POWERFRAME
- Vax Decision Expert
- DECFUSE
- DECAVS
- ...
> Q. Doesn't this leave a hole in your portfolio.
>
> A. No, we have established relationships with a wide range of third parties
> whose products have similar capabilities.
Can someone please name me ONE product which could replace EPITOOL with all its
functioanalities. I have a 'not-so-happy-customer' on my hands.
Thanks,
Luc
|
| 242.3 | .0 was out for evaluation! | 64802::ROACH | TANSTAAFL ! | Tue Nov 13 1990 17:16 | 23 |
| I have just been informed that the Q&A sheet which I posted here was not yet
released and that it was sent out for review before distribution. Rest assured
that our feedback has been taken and incorporated. However, on the issue of an
EPItool replacement, I have a question.
If the majority of the European countries would not put EPItool on their price
books, and not many people wanted to use it on projects because of it, why
do we want another product of like functionality on our US books but not for
sale in Europe? I suggested to the US that we buy EPItool and convert it to C
for porting to a variety of platforms. The reply that I got was - Write a
business plan that shows that we could realize a return on investment from such
a move !_- If we supply that, I have a commitment from marketing to take it as
far as possible towards realization.
I can't write that plan alone. I need your input AND YOUR COUNTIES SUPPORT!
Anybody out there willing to help me out in justifying an ROI on this tool?
Willing to commit to having the tool (or replacement) put in your countries
price book?
Suggest an alternative that we can write something about?
I'm willing to fight for realistic causes. I need some help in convincing people
that this cause is realistic.
|
| 242.5 | a big mishap, for the average lap .... | KETJE::VANDEVYVER | Luc Van de Vyver 856-7577 | Thu Nov 15 1990 11:16 | 61 |
| to .3
I don't know exactly what you need, but I guess if everyone who's interested
writes their opinions here, things can be sorted out later...
1) Why keep an Epitool-like product
During the last CC-meeting we couldn't come up with a replacement for
Epitool for the AI-training program.
Nexpert came close, but seems not to be acceptable.
If we cannot replace it for training purposes, can we find a replacement
for real development? Apparently not.
Specific domain shells are very useful, but I guess it will take a while
before we can cover all domains.
Until then there is a need for more general tools.
Do people believe us when we say 'ten-year-experience'
but no products besides LISP, OPS, VDE ???
2) Business.
Evaluating an AI-tool after 1 year of 'commercializing' is rather quick.
No effort was done to advertise or promote the product;
compare this to the marketing of Nexpert, Kbms, Ads, ...
I presented Epitool on a E.S.-Toolshow-seminar. (1 week before bankrupt...)
People could compare Epitool, ADS, KBMS, Nexpert and Smecy.
We had a lot of interested people at our booth after the presentation.
Negative points for Epitool were :
- LISP based
- No SQL or other database access
- No DEC product, what about support
the first 2 points were going to be solved in a future release
I know I focus on 'PRODUCT' very much, but I think the right product
can be a door opener for projects.
So ROI should not be calculated on license-sold only.
3) Marketing
- AI marketing is not existing, so at this moment I cannot give any
guarantees about pricebook and number of licenses, just my opinion.
- If the support issue cannot be solved, countries will hesitate
to accept products in the pricebook.
This was the problem with Epitool.
No sufficient European support ==> not in pricebook ==> no sales.
so far my .02$
Luc
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