Digital has assigned only one IS manager to its external Web servers, although the company maintains a larger IS staff for its internal sites. Those employees, primarily marketing specialists, oversee the review process Digital's divisions must undergo to publish information on the Web and elsewhere. For most, the Web work is an additional line on their job descriptions, rather than a full-time position. We think this is going to be a significant piece of the Digital Equipment Corp. in years to come. Giordano says the initiative is already bringing in revenues, although she declines to discuss numbers.
Analysts contend that it's tough to gauge the value of the company's investment.
Others say that despite its expertise and leadership, Digital's Internet Business Group remains one of the Internet's best-kept secrets. Now it's a matter of effectively marketing all that energy they're expending. The Web has also become a critical part of the company's enterprisewide strategy, helping to sell hardware and software, generating partnerships and stimulating new product development. About 1,400 times a day, somebody logs onto the Alpha server from somewhere in the world to kick the system's tires. D igital has also invested heavily in the Web as an in-house communications utility.