Stories by Clare Haney

Getronics to acquire Wang Global for $US2 billion

European computer services company Getronics is to purchase Wang Global for close to $US2 billion, in the process creating a $5 billion global networked services provider, the two companies announced yesterday.

Embedded Databases Boomed in '98, Says Dataquest

The market for embedded databases soared to U$400 million [M] last year, a 19 percent rise over figures for 1997, according to market research company Dataquest Inc., which also painted a rosy picture for the mobile database arena.

Alcatel to Acquire Xylan for US$2 Billion

Alcatel SA will buy U.S. networking vendor Xylan Corp. for nearly US$2 billion [B] to strengthen its business selling IP (Internet Protocol)-related products and services, the French communications equipment vendor announced today.

Platinum Technology cuts staff, restructures

With a stock price languishing at a 52-week low of $US14 and a string of unprofitable years, it was probably only a matter of time before Platinum Technology International had to make some hard decisions.

3Com to buy network telephony specialist

3Com announced late yesterday that it intends to purchase US network telephony specialist NBX for about $US90 million in cash as a way of expanding its presence in the market for that technology.

EDS, MCI WorldCom in US$17B Asset Swap

Electronic Data Systems Corp. (EDS) and MCI WorldCom Inc. today confirmed reports that they are entering into a complex deal valued at US$17 billion [B] that will shift assets, including service contracts and more than 13,000 staff, between the two companies.
The aim of the deal is to enable both companies to better position themselves in the electronic business and global communications services arenas, EDS and MCI WorldCom said in a joint statement issued today.

EDS, MCI WorldCom in asset swap

Electronic Data Systems (EDS) and MCI WorldCom yesterday announced that they are entering into a complex deal valued at $US17 billion that will shift assets, including service contracts and more than 13,000 staff, between the two companies.

Chinese hackers reportedly get death sentence

Mainland China is continuing its crackdown on alleged Internet-related crimes, reportedly sentencing to death on December 28 two men accused of hacking into a bank computer network and stealing 260,000 renminbi ($US31,400).

Guest column: 1998: The Year in Quotes

As another year draws to a close, I thought it might be fun to trawl back through the IDG News Service archives of the last 12 months and pick out a selection of quotes from the movers and shakers in the IT industry.

EDS, MCI WorldCom reportedly in talks

MCI WorldCom and services provider Electronic Data Systems (EDS) reportedly are in talks to establish a joint venture operation.
Spokesmen for both companies declined to comment today on a report by the Dow Jones News Service. The spokesmen cited policies that neither company comments on rumor or speculation. The proposed joint venture would aim to offer business customers worldwide a wide range of voice, data and computer services, according to the published report today.

COMDEX: CA's Wang Looks to 3-D Future

Within a decade, 3-D interfaces will be the norm for business applications, as IT attempts to more fully represent the real world, according to Computer Associates International Inc.'s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Charles Wang.

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