Tech Giants Unite: Industry Rivals Form Common Standard for Next-Generation Computers

A decade after they started yielding to Microsoft's operating system dominance, some of the toughest opponents in the computer industry, including Hewlett-Packard, IBM, and Intel, have agreed to standardize their key technology. The companies have collaborated to create a common standard for their next generation of computers and chips, with the goal of making their technology work together seamlessly. This move is seen as a significant challenge to Microsoft's Windows NT software, which has recently become a strong rival to Unix.

Key Takeaways:

• The alliance between Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intel, and other companies aims to create a standardized Unix operating software to run on next-generation 64-bit microprocessors.
• The pact will allow for greater compatibility among Unix applications software, making it easier for companies to adopt the system.
• The move is seen as a challenge to Microsoft's Windows NT software, which has emerged as a strong rival to Unix in recent years.
• The group includes top industry players such as International Business Machines Corp., Intel Corp., Novell Inc., Digital Equipment Corp., Compaq Computer Corp., Fujitsu Ltd., Siemens AG, Global Information Systems, Autodesk Inc., and Motorola Inc.
• The companies estimate that standardization will slash development costs of Unix software, a major advantage over Microsoft's rival Windows NT.
• Unix's high cost has hindered its adoption in the past, but the group believes that standardization will help reduce these costs and make the system more appealing to companies.
• Analyst Kiyohiko Ishii of Nomura Research Institute estimates that building Unix network systems costs three to four times more than creating Windows NT systems.

Statistics:

• 10 years: The time it took for Microsoft's Windows NT software to gain wide acceptance in the corporate market, despite being on the market for five years.
• 3-4 times more: The estimated cost of building Unix network systems compared to creating Windows NT systems.
• 5 years: The time it took for Windows NT to gain widespread acceptance in the corporate market.
• 10 companies: The number of industry giants that have formed an alliance to create a standardized Unix operating software.

Sources:

• Staff and Reuters
• Lew Platt, president and chief executive of Hewlett-Packard Co.
• Kiyohiko Ishii, an analyst at Nomura Research Institute in Tokyo