Article View: comp.sys.concurrent
Article #55Re: "Real-time, Real Troubles" at Concurrent?
From: Michael Johnston
Date: Sun, 14 Oct 1990 05:28
Date: Sun, 14 Oct 1990 05:28
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6753 bytes
In article <2097@gazette.bcm.tmc.edu> khj@ms.appstate.edu writes:
>
>The Oct '90 issue of _Un*x_World_ (page 16, "Industry News") states that
>"Concurrent Computer Corp.'s problems are growing worse." The short
>article goes on to describe a "reorganization" and other details.
>
>
>
>Can anyone -- employee or customer -- comment?
>
>Will those with CCC hardware and software be "out of luck?"
>
>----
>Kenneth H. Jacker khj@ms.appstate.edu
>Math Sciences Dept
>Appalachian State Univ
>Boone, NC 28608 704/262-2386
>
I am a regular employee who has been with the company since 1986. I
originated from within the old MASSCOMP organization in the Customer Service
group. I now work in a pre-sales technical support group. I feel qualified
to fully understand customer concerns regarding pre-sales and post-sales issues.
The information as printed in the Unix World issue is stale. It is as
old as last July! A lot of happenings have taken place here, and I, for one,
can hardly believe the positive changes taking place. There are renewed
feelings of optimism that I haven't seen for a couple of years now. The whole
company is moving towards a market-driven, entreprenurial environment, that has
quenched much negative talk around here!
The new C.E.O. came here to this facility to speak to the employees in
person, and presented fresh ideas for the company's future. Since his arrival,
a great number of changes have taken place, and others are to come. One major
change is the reduction of bureaucracy, and the increase of "free thinking".
This has had a MAJOR impact on the employees of Concurrent! People are working
harder, and fussing less, and working together as a team. It's indescribable.
Just remember that all reorganizations are not bad. Change CAN be positive!
(I just wish he would run for Governor!... alas, he hasn't the time...)
Anyway, those are MY thoughts... the thoughts of a man in the trenches.
I would like to add to those thoughts, the up-to-date, POSITIVE news that has
yet to appear in Unix World:
- From Press Release Dated September 10, 1990
___________________________________________
"Concurrent Computer Corporation today announced that Denis R. Brown
has been named the company's president, chief executive officer,
and vice-chairman of the board. Dean W. Freed, a director of the
company, will assume the role of chairman of the board.
Mr. Brown joins Concurrent from Penn Central Corporation where, since
1985, he served as president and chief executive officer of Penn
Central Industries Group Inc., a $1 billion subsidiary of Penn Central
Corporation. Brown came to Penn Central, following a 15 year career
with ITT Corporation where he was a corporate vice-president and group
executive for the Defense Space Group.
Brown brings to Concurrent global operating experience and a proven
record of leadership. His results at Penn Central demonstrate
considerable success in managing turnaround companies and implementing
strategies for long-term growth and profitability. A former naval
officer and New Jersey resident, Brown, age 51, is a graduate of the
University of California at Berkeley, and earned his degree in
Electrical Engineering from the Naval Post Graduate School, Monterey,
California.
Brown said, "I look forward to the challenges which Concurrent faces
in the computer industry. I am very impressed with Concurrent's
people, products, and services. With the company's large installed
base and strong product development programs, we will continue to
be a leading supplier of real-time solutions to the commercial,
technical, and government markets both here and abroad. We intend
to make whatever changes are necessary to better serve our customers
and to return the company to profitability and growth."
Mr. Freed, in becoming the new chairman of the board, brings to
Concurrent his experience as former chairman of the board and chief
executive officer of EG&G, Inc., a diversified provider of scientific
products and services.
..."
- From Press Release Dated September 14, 1990
___________________________________________
"...Earlier this week, Concurrent announced that Denis R. Brown had
been appointed as the company's new chief executive officer. Mr. Brown
said, "I took this position to turn the company around; and I plan to
be here for the long haul. Concurrent is a proven leader in the real-
time computing market. Our current financial difficulties are largely
a result of our over-leveraged capital structure which limits our
ability to realize the company's full potential. I was completely
aware of the need for capital restructuring at the company and it is
my number one priority."
Brown emphasized, "I intend to make whatever operational changes are
necessary to ensure that the company's commitments to its customers
and suppliers are met as expected and to return Concurrent to profit-
ability and growth. I am confident that we can accomplish this goal."
..."
- From Press Release Dated September 26, 1990
___________________________________________
"Concurrent Computer Corporation today announced the appointment of
George H. Sampson as vice president of development. Mr Sampson will
be responsible for the company's worldwide product development
functions with major locations in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and
England."
..."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
___________ Dave Breck, Senior Systems Engineer
/ ________/__ ...!{decvax,uunet}!masscomp!dlb
/__/_______/ / dlb@westford.ccur.com
Concurrent /__________/ Phone: (508) 392-2745
Computer Corporation FAX: (508) 392-2368
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Path: arc1-ca.pugleaf.net!utzoo!attcan!uunet!cs.utexas.edu!bcm!soma!concurrent-request From: mfj@masscomp.ccur.com (Michael Johnston) Newsgroups: comp.sys.concurrent Subject: Re: "Real-time, Real Troubles" at Concurrent? Summary: things are looking up Message-ID: <2227@gazette.bcm.tmc.edu> Date: 14 Oct 90 05:28:01 GMT References: <2097@gazette.bcm.tmc.edu> Sender: usenet@bcm.tmc.edu Reply-To: dlb@westford.ccur.com (Dave Breck) Organization: Concurrent Computer Corp. - Westford, Ma Lines: 129 Approved: concurrent@soma.neusc.bcm.tmc.edu Nntp-Posting-Host: cortex.neusc.bcm.tmc.edu