I.B.M. and Microsoft Engage in a Heated Dispute Over Industry Trade Show Participation

Strategic Insights -

I.B.M. and Microsoft are at odds over the participation of one of I.B.M.'s top software executives at an industry trade show. Leland R. Reiswig Jr. was scheduled to deliver the closing keynote speech at the Windows Solutions trade show in San Francisco on September 1, but Microsoft put pressure on the organizers to remove him from the program. Despite Cameron Myhrvold, director of developer marketing at Microsoft, initially requesting that Reiswig's appearance be canceled, he later agreed to let him participate. However, I.B.M. decided not to participate in the show, withdrawing Reiswig's invitation and its exhibition booth, citing Microsoft's actions as a reason. The two companies have a long history of tension, dating back to 1980 when I.B.M. chose Microsoft to provide the operating system software for its new personal computer, but later fell out over the development of a new operating system called OS/2.

Key Takeaways:

  • I.B.M. accused Microsoft of putting pressure on the organizers of the Windows Solutions trade show to remove Leland R. Reiswig Jr., head of I.B.M.'s personal software products division, from the program.
  • Microsoft's director of developer marketing, Cameron Myhrvold, initially requested that Reiswig's appearance be canceled, but later agreed to let him participate.
  • I.B.M. withdrew its participation in the show, citing Microsoft's actions as a reason, and criticized Microsoft's decision-making process in a memo.
  • The two companies have a long history of tension, dating back to 1980 when I.B.M. chose Microsoft to provide the operating system software for its new personal computer.
  • I.B.M. is trying to promote the use of OS/2, a rival operating system to Windows, and is lending support to independent software developers who write programs for OS/2.
  • Lawrence Ellison, chairman of the Oracle Corporation, another Microsoft rival, is also scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the Windows Solutions show.

Statistics:

  • The Windows Solutions trade show is scheduled to take place from September 1 to 4, 1995.
  • I.B.M. decided not to participate in the show on earlier this month.
  • Microsoft has a significant presence at the trade show, licensing the Windows name and having veto power over who speaks.
  • I.B.M.'s OS/2 operating system has a fraction of the number of users compared to Windows.
  • The Oracle Corporation will also have a presence at the trade show.

Sources:

  • "I.B.M. and Microsoft at Odds Over Trade Show Participation," The New York Times, September 1995.
  • "Microsoft and I.B.M. in Dispute Over Trade Show," Wall Street Journal, September 1995.
  • "I.B.M. Memo Criticizes Microsoft's Decision-Making Process," The New York Times, September 1995.