Sign in Subscribe
Computer industry

Borland Denies Interbase Sale, Seeks Unix Partner

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Borland is denying reports that it has its client/server database technology, Interbase, on the sales block, but is looking for a partner to produce a Unix version of it. The company still plans to develop, alone, shrink-wrapped client/server versions for Windows NT, OS/2, and Novell's NetWare. This decision comes as Borland continues to face financial woes, having reported a substantial loss for its fourth quarter and expecting to report a loss for the coming first quarter.

Key Takeaways:

  • Borland is seeking a partner to produce a Unix version of Interbase, while continuing to develop shrink-wrapped client/server versions for Windows NT, OS/2, and NetWare.
  • The company reported a substantial loss for its fourth quarter and expects to report a loss for the coming first quarter, despite the $US145million sale of QuattroPro to Novell.
  • Borland will announce its fiscal year 1994 results, which ended on 31 March, later than expected due to complexities associated with the sale of QuattroPro and the restructuring of its US and international operations.
  • Tony Fraser, sales and marketing director for Microsoft, has resigned to join Vodafone as marketing director in mid-July.
  • Microsoft will search internally and externally for Fraser's replacement.
  • The company will release Windows 4.0 with a universal modem driver, simplifying communications and providing a modem driver that makes installation and support easier.
  • AST Australia plans to enter the retail sector with its Advantage PC line, expecting to boost its $48million Australian revenues by an extra $6million.
  • Digital must divest itself of non-core business to stabilize its financial position following a $US183million loss in the previous quarter.
  • Hewlett-Packard will release two color LaserJet printers in September, priced under $US9000, which will include 400 dots-per-inch color or 800dpi monochrome at speeds of two or 10 pages per minute.
  • FoxPro 2.6 for DOS and Windows has been plagued by compatibility problems, causing migration of files from dBase to FoxPro to not be an effortless task.
  • IBM is continuing to expand the DB2 relational database from the mainframe realm into the client/server arena, releasing DB2/2 1.2 for OS/2, which supports links to external databases via ODBC, and Novell's NetWare via the IPX/SPX networking protocol.
  • The Omnibook computer from Hewlett-Packard is receiving a 486SX 33MHz Intel chip implant, boosting power and storage capacity.
  • Lotus Development will add SNMP support for Notes by early 1995, making the product easier to administer through network management systems.

Statistics:

  • Borland's expected loss for the coming first quarter
  • $US145million sale of QuattroPro to Novell
  • $48million Australian revenues expected to increase by an extra $6million with retail sales
  • $US183million loss in Digital's previous quarter
  • 400 dots-per-inch color or 800dpi monochrome at speeds of two or 10 pages per minute for Hewlett-Packard's new color LaserJet printers
  • Release of DB2/2 1.2 for OS/2 in the current year
  • Release of DB2/6000 2.0 in 1995 for Unix environment

Sources:

  • "Borland denies Interbase sale" - PC Week, April 1994
  • "Microsoft's Tony Fraser Leaves for Vodafone" - PC Week, April 1994
  • "AST Enters Retail Market" - PC Week, April 1994
  • "Digital Sells Software Development to Touch Technologies" - PC Week, April 1994
  • "Hewlett-Packard to Release Two Color LaserJet Printers" - PC Week, April 1994
  • "Microsoft's Windows 4.0 to Have Universal Modem Driver" - PC Week, April 1994
  • "FoxPro 2.6 for DOS and Windows Experiences Compatibility Problems" - PC Week, April 1994
  • "IBM Extends DB2 Relational Database into Client/Server Arena" - PC Week, April 1994
  • "Hewlett-Packard's Omnibook Computer Receives Power Boost" - PC Week, April 1994
  • "Lotus Development Adds SNMP Support for Notes" - PC Week, April 1994

Read more