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Technology Stocks : Enterprise Informatics -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Greg h2o who wrote (2358)	4/7/1998 9:25:00 AM
From: Michael Watkins	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 13797

Greg - it does seem that there must be something there. I agree with what others have said -- sales over the past few months must have been a tremendous uphill battle -- sales force issues, prospect anxiety over the state of the company, and lack of support from the analysts -- perhaps that is the sole contribution to the perception I have that it isn't there...

To: Greg h2o who wrote (2358)	4/8/1998 12:18:00 AM
From: bob zagorin	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 13797

off-topic but relevant. here's an update on company that has beene thru almost everything that Altris is going thru. show's it is possible as long as there's a market for your product. Informix back in the game By Mike Ricciuti Staff Writer, CNET NEWS.COM April 7, 1998, 12:25 p.m. PT After surviving last year's constant financial and management turmoil, Informix Software (IFMX) is out to prove that it's back in the technology hunt with a new version of its database and an aggressive plan to lure customers from rival software companies. The company is this week shipping new versions of its Dynamic Server database and its Advanced Decision Support Option, two key pieces of its software lineup. A highlight of the announcement is new features added to Dynamic Server that make it much easier for potential customers to switch from competitors' database software to Informix, said Stephen Lambright, senior manager for server product marketing at Informix. More important, the products are the first major releases from the company since a series of setbacks last year, ranging from financial turmoil, management shakeups, and lawsuits to a Securities and Exchange Commission investigation. Executives portray the product releases as key to the company's bid to prove that it can still deliver top-notch technology and survive in a more competitive database market. So far, the strategy seems to be working. Analysts believe that the company has resolved many of its business problems and is back on track. In a report issued last month, Melissa Eisenstat, an analyst with CIBC Oppenheimer upgraded Informix's stock to a "buy" recommendation and said that "the most acute problems facing the company in 1997 have been resolved, and the business has stabilized."....

To: Greg h2o who wrote (2358)	4/8/1998 3:31:00 PM
From: Esoteric	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 13797

Erickson and Bruce announced restructuring plans to Altris staff over the past week - the aim is to balance the books. There were several lay-offs in the London office - mainly developers. Sunil Tanna (Jay's son) was moved to one side. The focus of EB development will now move to San Diego under the SD development manager. EB will be further delayed and they will find it increasingly difficult to maintain Pro EDM. They may try to persuade some key London EB developers to move to SD, but are unlikely to be very successful under the circumstances. Together with earlier lay-offs and resignations of several key people including the Managing Director, the staffing levels in London are about half what they were at year start. The San Diego office was not significantly affected by the changes. Existing releases of EB have limited functionality and stability problems, it is now unlikely that a fully functional release will be available until the end of the year. In the meantime they will concentrate on getting additional revenue from the existing customers with the old products. Sales departments are depleted at both locations. Staff will probably be given share options at post opening prices as an incentive to stay. They did pull it off in early 1990 when the share price dropped to 12.5 cents, but the market was different then. Announcements will almost certainly be made within the next week. It would really suck if trading was allowed to start on release of the revised earnings, before the new plans are announced! A buy-out for their customer list is a possibility, but how much is that worth? They may find a partner outside EDM, but looking to diversify. If not, and they do pull through, they will probably return to the mediocrity of old Apharel! What are the chances of selling at $3.5 or $4 this year? BTW: I've heard that Erickson had been plotting to ditch Jay Tanna for some time - who knows what really happened?