Anyone,
Hmmm, the last three months have been interesting: 1) Ellison threatens a hostile BUYout of Apple - Apple goes up 2) Jobs tells Ellison to back off - Apple goes back down 3) Jobs sells stock - Apple goes way down 4) Low stock price forces Amilio out, Jobs NOT IN CHARGE! - price goes up 5) CA and SAP (the largest client/server software company IN THE WORLD) announce support for Rhapsody - NO CHANGE! 6) Gates buys a little non-voting stock - the price soars! 7) Ellison gets Apple for FREE! - few notice... York (IBM) joins board - few notice... price settles as little guys sell.
So when everybody knows the story the price fluctuates wildly, over the short (small investor) term from gossip and sensationalist stories, but the long (institutional) term bets stay because of the solid news, which few of the little guys understand.
SAP is a 2.4 billion dollar company, CA is also huge. They both sell software and consultants who build what are know as "front end applications" on client/server systems. Apple would like to sell more servers. Client/server systems are the hottest thing in business since IBM mainframes. Front end applications tap databases (Back ends). Corporations have huge and rapidly expanding databases. Ellison has the biggest and maybe the best database business in the world. Ellison loves the network computer. Jobs need a new child and is pushing a network computer. York (IBM turnaround guy) knows (how and why) the mainframe - client/server business functions. (Note: interesting interview with SAP America CEO in Investor's Bus Daily, Pg 4, Aug 12)
IS departments are weary of supporting the NT/95 which a is CHEAPER but hacked together mess (than UNIX or IBM). Microsoft's database, SQL server, was borrowed from Sybase, both of which are dying. So the institutions are betting that IS departments will take a SERIOUS look at a company that has: 1) Server experience 2) a new scaleable written from the ground up OS that is easy to write code for 3) with CHEAP easy maintenance 4) easy to learn interface 5) Front and Back end support 6) and possibly some kind of interface for...network computers?
And maybe some of these IS people read the Gistics report: (The independently funded report says Mac users in the digital-media production sector, such as advertising, marketing and Web development, produce on average $26,441 more annual revenue and $14,488 more net profit per person than Windows users of comparable skill engaged in similar work activities.)
My view (a graphic designer). I want to stay with Macs, as do almost all graphics people. The only place Windows(NT only) has an edge is in 3D. I have an 8500/150. But this year I will have to make a decision to buy either a new Mac or an NT machine to do 3D. It will all depend on Rhapsody. However...
My friend (a C and Java programmer) and a (rational) Windows user declared yesterday that he will buy a Rhapsody Machine next year.
So it all depends on Rhapsody long term, and that is where the money is. Corporation client/server which will translate into more people using Apple products at work, and then buying them for their home.
And 3D in graphics, Apple has everything else graphic but it will slide away if 3D doesn't embrace it.
Hmmm...This was posted after I wrote the previous:
Parametric plans CAD for Rhapsody
#4044, soup, Aug 12 1997 7:36PM
The executive team is forefeiting current and future bonuses in exchange for stock options.
IMHO things continue to look better and better at Apple.
Doren |
