From: sl31+@andrew.cmu.edu (Stephen M. Lacy)
Newsgroups: comp.os.os2.misc,comp.os.os2.advocacy
Subject: IBM Software Execs Still Bullish on OS/2 01/22/93
Date: 24 Jan 93 07:19:54 GMT
Article-I.D.: andrew.4fMgyuG00iUzE1gXRH
Organization: Junior, Math/Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 JAN 22 (NB) -- Despite its parent 
company's record losses, the president of IBM's Personal Software 
Products (PSP) division is optimistic -- even bullish -- about 
the future. 

In a briefing at the Winter Windows & OS/2 Conference in San Jose, 
California, division president, Lee Reiswig, reflected on the 
successes of the division's most visible product, OS/2, and 
outlined plans for the coming year as OS/2 version 2.1 continues 
in beta testing. "We've come a long way in the last year," 
Reiswig said. 

OS/2 2.0 began shipping in March of 1992. By the end of the year,
IBM had shipped more than two million copies. Also by the end of 
1992, more than 1,200 OS/2 32-bit applications from more than 500 
vendors were shipping, and major software developers such as Lotus 
Development Corporation had committed to moving entire product 
lines to the OS/2 platform.

Reiswig declined to give an exact date for the shipment of OS/2 
version 2.1, saying only "we'll ship it when it's ready," but 
adding that he expected that to be "in the near future."

John Patrick, vice president of marketing and sales for the 
Personal Software Products division, discussed an aggressive 
advertising plan for OS/2 that includes an increased budget, 
product-specific -- rather than image-oriented -- advertising, 
and an emphasis on trade publications rather than business
publications. 

PSP's sales and marketing efforts will also be bolstered by brand
management teams for each major product line. These teams work 
closely with engineering to ensure customer concerns are met and 
make decisions about distribution channels and marketing. Patrick 
also described PSP's enhanced developer services program, which 
provides easier access for corporate developers. He was 
enthusiastic about the addition this week of John Osborne, previously 
with Zenith Data Systems, as director of sales for PSP's US
business, a new position.

A discussion of IBM's position in the personal software market 
wouldn't be complete without mentioning Microsoft, which many 
believe is poised to de-throne IBM. Patrick described the Personal 
Software Products division's positioning against Microsoft. IBM 
has the experience (with such issues as security) to help
big users successfully manage large, networked systems, while 
Microsoft approaches networking from the perspective of the desktop.

"We are the future of IBM," Reiswig said in response to a question 
about the impact of its parent company's troubles on his division. 
Many people may be asking how IBM can afford to increase spending 
on so many aspects of OS/2 and other PSP products. Reiswig's reply: 
"How can we not?"

OS/2 is an advanced operating system for 32-bit personal computers 
that enables users to run DOS, Windows and OS/2 applications.

(Audrey Kalman/19930122)


"We're too young to reason, and too old to dream." -Roxy Music
Newsgroups: comp.os.os2.misc