How many shares does MSFT have? Around 3 billion. Ha ha. Boy are we going to take off.
Monday -- February 23, 1998
IBM, Contra Costa connect with network computers
Steve Ginsberg
While Oracle Corp. CEO Larry Ellison has been crusading for the network computer,
IBM has crept into his back yard.
Contra Costa County has become Big Blue's largest government client for its own
network station computer and represents a national test for its machines'
effectiveness.
Over the next 60 days, Contra Costa will put 160 network stations into its court
system. Each one costs $600 and is connected to a server.
The county is saving money because the machines require little troubleshooting
and software installations, according to John Forberg, deputy director for
information technology at the county.
"We only have two people in information technology trying to manage 6,000
machines. The network stations make it easier to leverage our existing staff," said
Forberg.
In 1997, the county installed 20 network stations, using them successfully in its
data-processing operation. Forberg is hoping to add 500 to 1,000 network stations
next year for the county's social services department.
IBM sold barely 1,500 network stations nationally in 1997, but expects much larger
numbers in 1998. Bernie Trigeiro, who heads the West Coast effort for IBM's
network station, sees business picking up.
"Last year we sold to companies that were using the network station on a pilot
basis, and they ordered from one to 50. Now we're getting multiples of 100,"
Trigeiro said.
Another win for IBM came in Oakland, where that city bought 206 network stations
this month as part of a $1.2 million plan to install computer training in public
housing. The terminals will go in each low-income apartment unit at Bridge West's
Oakland development.
Residents will receive job training on the computers, and their children will use the
system for school work. A pair of IBM servers at the housing complex will connect
to the local area network.
Meanwhile, Oracle's tests for its NC in corporations continue with several thousand
machines in the field. RCA reported it sold more than 50,000 NC machines last
Christmas season to consumers. |
