Search

Reports on IBM Corp. chairman Louis Gerstner's strategies to help push the company back into profitability. Cost-cutting measures as a priority; Reorganization of sales staff; Development of a series of open product; Marketing of IBM Technology Products unit; Emphasis on customer service; IBM's performance in the second quarter of 1993.

Investigates GRiD Systems Corp.'s moves as it launches its products into the direct-response PC market environment. Reputation for creating PCs rugged enough for battle; GRiD Direct; Competition; Product line similarities; Pricing; Skepticism about its strategy by analysts.

Reports on IBM Senior Vice-President of Strategy and Development James Cannavino's planned strategic path for the company involving both OS/2 and AIX operating systems along with the PowerPC microprocessor family. Backing from IBM Chairman Lou Gerstner and software ally Lotus Development Corp; Reaction from subsystem vendors on IBM PowerPC strategy.

Reports on International Business Machines (IBM) Corp.'s search for the successor of its chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) John Akers. Search committees' negotiations with candidates; Northern Telecom Ltd.'s CEO Paul Stern; Perot Systems Corp.'s Chairman Morton Meyerson; Motorola Inc.'s Chairman and CEO George Fisher; RJR Nabisco Inc.'s chairman and CEO Louis Gerstner.

Cites the changes within the structure of International Business Machines (IBM) as demonstrated by the informal advertising strategies conducted by IBM Canada. Corporate losses; Chairman John Akers plans for autonomous Applications Business Systems line of business (LOB); Candidates for autonomy; Creation of marketing groups to serve smaller geographic or vertical markets. INSET: IBM adds four new executives to board of .., by R.L.S..

Focuses on General Motors Corp. (GM) information technology chief Ralph Szygenda's plans to recruit three hundred chief information officers. Revitalization of the information systems organization at GM; Cost control; GM's outsourcing arrangement with Electronic Data Systems Corp.