3 ms·
Seems funny to talk about IBM in this context but they did start out making punch cards in 1896. They successfully made the transition to computers, mainframes,
by lacker 18y ago
Seems funny to talk about IBM in this context but they did start out making punch cards in 1896. They successfully made the transition to computers, mainframes, and then PCs, but then finally missed the shift from hardware to software. From about 1896-1980 they were pretty on the ball, though.
Also AT&T has made the transition from fixed to cell phones, okay so far.
It's a lot easier when the new business has the same business model but new technology. When the business model changes along with the technology, often the established company doesn't view change as "profitable enough" and decides to fight the future. If you're curious about this "The Innovator's Dilemma" is a really good book.
- cameldrv 18y agoThem missing the shift to software wasn't for lack of trying. They had lots of mainframe software, and then had a huge division making PC applications software in the eighties, which no one much liked. Then they made a major push with OS/2 and forked DOS from Microsoft, and bought Lotus. Unfortunately for them, for some reason IBM didn't seem to be able to make mainstream software that people wanted to buy.
- lacker 18y agoThe trickiest shift is the business model. IBM could always sell software to corporations. They never managed to sell software to consumers.
- Daniel_Newby 18y ago"Also AT&T has made the transition from fixed to cell phones, okay so far." Actually, no. AT&T Wireless blew themselves up with a epic botched software upgrade, and was sold to Cingular at a heavy discount. (Who has since been rebranded AT&T after a complex series of mergers and acquisitions.)