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Date: Tuesday, December 05, 2000, 3:41 PM -0500
From: Faulkner Information Services <mailserver@faulknerinfo.com>
To: ???
Subject: Faulkner Systems Flash 11/29/00 - (Part 1 of 1)




Systems &Technology Flash

Copyright 2000, Faulkner Information Services. All Rights Reserved. 


Publication Date: November 29, 2000


Preview
Systems &Technology Flash is a biweekly news summary covering computer
systems and software, and vendors. This flash covers the period November 15
to November 29, 2000. 


Mergers/Acquisitions
Amadeus and Terra Lycos reported acquiring the majority stake in
OneTravel.com, a US online travel Web site. Financial details were not
disclosed, and the agreement remains subject to OneTravel.com shareholder
approval. In addition, Amadeus and Terra Lycos launched Rumbo, an online
travel agency aimed at Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries of Europe
and South America. 

Liraz agreed to sell its domestic information systems integration and
outsourcing services units to Electronic Data Systems for $20 million. EDS
also acquires US-based Level 8 Systems, of which Liraz is the principal
shareholder.


Alliances/Joint Ventures
American Management Systems and Brokat formed an alliance for the joint
development and marketing of e-business software products for Global 1000
companies. 

The Content Bridge Alliance announced that additional Technical Advisory
Members had joined the mission to address Internet interoperability issues
related to the distribution, delivery, and management of content. Among the
additional members are Apogee Networks, Compaq, HP, Portal Software,
StorageNetworks, and Vignette. The companies are cooperating to propose
technology standards regarding injection, distribution, and accounting to
the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). Membership is open to service
providers, technology companies, and content providers. 

Computer Sciences and First National Bank of Omaha signed a contract under
which First National will license four Computer Sciences Hogan system
components, along with a five-year maintenance agreement and implementation
services. The Hogan system is CSC's banking suite of software. The company
also formed an alliance with Relativity Technologies to deliver legacy
services to Global 1000 companies. 

As a means of developing a complete map of the Web, Dell joined forces with
LinkGuard. The product, coined the LinkGuard LinkMap, will recognize dead
links on the Internet and will restore them thus improving end-users'
experience. LinkGuard's LinkMap, powered by Dell's PowerEdge 6450
enterprise servers and its PowerVault 650F Fibre Channel storage products,
will suggest alternative sites while fixing dead links. 

Internet Capital Group and Andersen Consulting reported plans to merge
their businesses. Terms of the deal were not released. 

InterWorld and Arthur Andersen reported that they will jointly develop and
market B2B Essentials, a set of e-business products. 

Oracle reported that PaineWebber had named Oracle its core technology
provider of data base technology for the UNIX and Windows NT platforms.
PaineWebber plans to use Oracle8i to power all of its existing and new
distributed applications, from e-commerce to other private client
initiatives such as Stock Option Finance. More than 25,000 users in almost
400 locations will use applications built on Oracle8i. The company also
reported that FerrousExchange selected the Oracle Internet Platform and
Oracle Consulting services to create a real-time electronic marketplace for
buyers and sellers in the $700 billion-a-year global steel industry. The
FerrousExchange marketplace allows companies in the steel industry to
execute transactions more efficiently. 

SGI and ANSYS are working together to accomplish optimal performance of
difficult simulations via multiprocessor technology. The companies believe
that doing so will shrink turnaround time from days to hours. Through
ANSYS' software products and SGI's Origin suite of servers running the IRIX
OS, the companies will provide an advanced level of expansion capabilities
and reliability. The resulting product is aimed at industries such as
aerospace, aircraft engines, automotive, and MEMS. The first tuning of
ANSYS' software will be done using SGI 2000 series system with 16
processors and 16 gigabytes of memory. 


Electronic Business
As part of a strategic alliance, SGI and Mercantec are co-developing
e-commerce offerings for the ISP arena. By combining Mercantec's SoftCart
e-commerce storefront software with SGI, IRIX, and Linux' OS-based servers,
ISPs will be able to offer value-added e-commerce services to small
businesses. This service offering will provide ISPs the necessary elements
capabilities for breaking into the ever-growing ASP market. 

Sybase unveiled eMarketLink, a B2B option for Sybase Enterprise Portal
(EP), which will enable e-Businesses to automate information exchange
between organizations and to integrate applications across corporate
boundaries. The product is designed to help businesses increase efficiency
in supply chain management and to reduce costs associated with procurement
and distribution of products and services. 

TELINT GLOBAL chose Unisys to supply its broadband telecommunication
services via the Internet to small to mid-sized companies and to
individuals who utilize the Internet professionally. Unisys is also
creating and deploying a strategic Internet-based operation support system
that automates customer contact, invoicing, credit investigations,
collection procedures, contract management, and marketing. 


Wireless Communications
A CMOS LDO regulator from National Semiconductor improves talk and standby
times in certain cell phones. Dubbed the LP3985, this micro-power LDO
speeds the operating times in PDAs, PALM devices, digital cameras, digital
watches, and GPS modules. The regulator also assists mobile phones in
holding onto calls more effectively. National claims that the device is the
world's tiniest LDO offering. 


Network/Systems Management
Computer Associates launched its Certified Managed Services Provider (MSP)
program in Europe. The program helps channel partners expand their presence
in the remote network and systems management markets. The company also
unveiled Unicenter TNG version 2.4, an e-business management service for
enterprises and service providers. This version features MSP management
capabilities, Linux compatibility, an extended database for online
application services, Windows 2000 performance monitoring, and enhanced SAN
support functions. Computer Associates also unveiled the Unicenter TNG
PeopleSoft Option, a fully integrated management service for PeopleSoft
enterprise applications. This new option will monitor PeopleSoft
applications via cross-application scheduling, event monitoring, and
automated actions. The overall result will be simplified IT administration
through centralized control of application-integrated PeopleSoft workloads.


Security
3Com integrated the IP service intelligence of the Total Control 500
192-port DSL concentrator with the VPN tunnel-switching capabilities of the
Total Control 1000 multiservice access platform to create an end-to-end
offering enabling DSL providers to deliver secure VPNs over DSL. With these
products, service providers can offer enterprise customers secure,
encrypted Internet connectivity for intranet, extranet, and remote access,
as well as secure e-commerce applications with centralized, integrated
security management. 


Application Development
Sybase reported a business partnership with Thought that enables customers
to integrate Thought's object-to-relational (O/R) mapping software with
Sybase's EAServer. The combination is designed to allow users to reduce the
time required for developing Web applications that integrate e-business
functions.


Desktop Systems
The Dimension 8100, the latest series of desktop PCs available from Dell,
offers integrated e-support functionality, an extensive suite of support
and education tools, fast boot capabilities, and THX certification. The
systems are powered by Intel's Pentium 4 processors with speeds up to 1.5
GHz and the latest Intel 850 chipset supporting 4x AGP graphics, a 400-MHz
FSB, and dual-channel RDRAM. The company also released their latest
workstation, the Precision 330. The workstation targets professionals who
require a high level of performance in the DCC, CAD, GIS, computer
animation, software development, and financial analysis markets. The
Precision 330 features Intel's Pentium 4 processors at 1.40 and 1.50 GHz,
Intel's 850 chipset with a 400-MHz system bus, "Dell Graphics Plus", and
Rambus memory, among other features. Pricing starts at $1,999.

The Pentium 4 processor, Intel's latest microprocessor for desktop
computers, offers a new generation of capabilities in terms of processing
video and audio, exploiting modern Internet technologies and displaying 3-D
graphics. The structural support of the Pentium 4 Processor is Intel's
NetBurst micro-architecture. The key features of the processor include
Hyper Pipelined Technology and a Rapid Execution Engine. The company also
leased the Deep Forest PC. A joint creation with HP, the computer is a tiny
prototype for 21st Century computing that displays the performance of
Intel's Pentium 4 processor. Measuring 10" x 13"x 4", the PC is capable of
handling the graphical demands of the visual Internet, supporting next
generation e-business applications, and processing multimedia applications. 


Peripherals
Corel reported a deal with Epson America wherein Corel's Print Office 2000
and Print House 2000 will be packaged with two of Epson's latest Stylus
Color inkjet printers. Corel agreed to combine its Print Office 2000
Multilingual for the PC and Mac with Epson's Stylus Color 880/880I for the
Latin American market as well as combining its Print House 2000 with
Epson's Stylus 777/777i. 

Increasing speed, to PC and Macintosh peripherals in addition to other
peripherals using the SBP2, is made possible through TI's 1394 data mover
device. With the help of the device's data transport hardware, peripherals
can offer increased data throughout performance. The TSB43AA82 device,
ideal for high-speed data transmission, can handle data transmission at
speeds as high as 40MB/s, using under 100uA of current. Designers can use
the device in various peripherals of different data port requirements.
Fully available as of January, 2001, pricing for the device starts at $9.70
for quantities of 1,000 units. 


Chip Technology News
According to TI, its 4-port USB hub power offering combines the four basic
functions onto a single chip. TI claims that this offering correlates into
a board space reduction of 20 percent. The second offering, true dual/quad,
current-limited MOSFET switches, allows for various independent channels so
designers are at liberty in terms of choosing power control applications.
Both product families are suitable for applications where heavy loads or
short circuits may occur such as PCs and notebooks. 


Vendor Services
Andersen Consulting launched its Business Launch Center in Texas at the
Infomart, a high-tech campus in downtown Dallas. The center will provide
start-ups with management, financial, administration, and technology
consulting. 

Ernst &Young began a broadcast advertising campaign. The theme of the ads
is "New Rules for the New Economy", and will retain the original tag of
"From Thought to Finish" in this campaign as well. 


Financial News
HP failed to meet profit expectations for its fiscal fourth quarter. Shares
in the company also dropped by 13 percent. The company's net income for the
quarter increased by 21 percent to $922 million, or 45 cents per diluted
share, compared to last year's $760 million, or 36 cents per diluted share.
HP's income during the same period totaled in at $80 million, including
investment gains. Revenue for the fourth quarter rose by 17 percent to
$13.26 billion, over last year's same quarter of $11.36 billion. 

marchFIRST reported that it will dismiss 1000 employees immediately in an
effort to save $100 million next year. The firm stated that the cuts, which
represents 10 percent of its staff, were targeted at "under-utilized
consultants." The company was also loaned $12 million by Microsoft,
interest free, to dig itself out of its financial crisis. 

Sybase reported that its Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up
to an additional $100 million of the company's outstanding common stock.
The repurchase plan lets Sybase use available cash to buy back its shares
in open market transactions from time to time - subject to price and market
conditions. 

A newcomer to the business of cable modems, TI has already gained 30
percent market share DOCSIS chips and further expects to produce three of
10 million total units supposed to ship this year. The company feels that
this act will increase their market share in this area by 600 percent over
last year. 


Personnel and Organizational Changes
Peter Blackmore, current senior vice president and general manager for
Compaq's Sales and Services division, has been promoted to executive vice
president for this division. Also, Michael Winkler, senior vice president
and general manager of the Commercial Personal Computers Group will take on
the additional role of executive vice president, Global Business Units.
Mary McDowell, vice president and general manager of the Industry Standard
Server Group has been named senior VP and manager of that group. Compaq's
senior management team now consists of these execs and  Shane Robison. vice
president and CTO, 

ePresence reported that it opened a new office and service center in New
York City. Located in the heart of the financial district at 20 Exchange
Place, this new facility will enable ePresence to work closely with clients
in focused teams to deliver personalized e-business services to the
financial services market.

With the groundbreaking for a facility in Singapore on November 1st of this
year, Micron enhanced its international presence. Construction of the
assembly and test facility began at the Tampines Industrial Cresent. This
operation, scheduled for completion in the beginning of 2002, will
incorporate package assembly, testing, and module assembly. 

Micron Electronics announced two key appointments to division president.
Michael S. Adkins was promoted from senior vice president and group general
manager to the position of president for the company's direct sales
division. Adkins' duties include supervising the company's PC direct
businesses, consisting of small business, commercial, and government
groups. Also,  Lyle W. Jordan was promoted from senior vice president and
group general manager to the position of president for the company's retail
direct business (VelocityNet Direct) and for global supply chain
operations. 

Elpida Memory, a joint venture between NEC and Hitachi, will construct a
plant to develop advanced DRAM chips. The parent companies will invest 160
billion yen ($1.45 billion) to assist with the construction of the plant.
NEC and Hitachi will initially invest 20 billion yen to support the chip
joint venture and later will infuse an additional 30 billion yen, from the
proposed 160 billion yen investment, to aide Elpida in buying production
equipment for the plant. The plant, which will produce 256-megabit DRAM
chips using 0.13-micron process technology, will be based in Hiroshima. 

Oracle reported that executive vice president Gary Bloom is leaving to
become CEO of Veritas. 

SAS established its international software services operations. The
organization will be based in Pune, India and will report directly to Hari
Gupta, General Manager, SAS Global Services who is based out of SAS'
worldwide corporate offices in Cary, North Carolina, USA. The focus of SAS
Global Services (SGS) will be in providing services such as R&D,
applications development, consulting, and training to internal SAS
organizations, SAS customers, and SAS partners. 

Compaq rolled out w-Business, a combination of products and offerings that
the company refers to as iPAQnet. This offering revamps the wireless
experience and provides users access to e-mail,  corporate information, and
the Internet. The initial set of iPAQnet offerings, deemed iPAQnet Mobility
Solutions, contains the iPAQ Pocket PC that consists of the iPAQnet Mobile
Internet, iPAQnet Mobile Email, and iPAQnet Mobile Intranet.  ----------

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