Computer Business sees Apple as a competitor!

[Xairbusdriver]

IBM has sued a 26 year, engineer, employee because he went to work for Apple. IBM says he signed a 1 year, no-compete agreement that should keep him from working with any "competitor." Of course, I don't think they're talking about iPods or minis.

[RNKIII]

I THOUGHT (oxymoron that) that IBM had sold off their PC business to a Chinese firm???  How would he then be 'in competition' with them???  


Bob K.  rnkiii

[Xairbusdriver]

I think their more concerned about the server market. The VP had access to various inside information and company secrets. See <this article>.

[Paddy]

I read an article earlier today on this subject and had the same reaction - interesting that IBM is now viewing Apple as a competitor. Of course - Papermaster was VP of the blade server division, so one might surmise that Apple wants him for expertise in the server market. However, as the NY Times pointed out today:

QUOTE

Apple also has a small business selling a server version of its computer systems that is aimed at corporate applications. However, Mr. Papermaster has also held other positions at I.B.M. Apple may also be interested in Mr. Papermaster’s processor design expertise. Earlier this year, Apple purchased PA Semi, a small microprocessor design firm that was developing microprocessors based on the I.B.M. Power design. At the time Steven P. Jobs, Apple’s chief executive, said that Apple would use that expertise to create hardware for its iPhones and iPods.

Either way, IBM is not happy.

[Xairbusdriver]

QUOTE

IBM is not happy.

But I'll bet all the lawyers at both firms are happy with the 'job security!'

[Gregg]

QUOTE(Paddy @ Oct 31 2008, 06:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

IBM is not happy.

I Be Mad!

[Jack W]

Itty Bitty Machine Company

I've Been Mislead

Working in the computer support business for several years, I was on IBM's S... List several times when I recommended to management non-IBM computers. IBM didn't like that! They would be in my boss's office (actually much higher) PDQ. They always worked at the highest level to get the most leverage. And they swung a wide swath with their revenge. But I always managed to escape with only a few bruises.

Of course, I've always been a maverick, and rather enjoyed stirring up some dust periodically

- The Little Rascal – Jack

[Jack W]

See this link for reasons IBM doesn't like losing Papermaster:

http://www.crn.com/hardware/211800562

[krissel]

Granted a year is a long time in technology but they can't keep him from Apple forever.

[MamaMoose]

I believe IBM's business model is based on servers and main frames for business applications (banks, retail stores, etc.). IBM's problem is that the Mac is a three stream machine:

1) Desktop data processing for baks, retail stores, management of a variety of systrms, etc.

2) High speed scientific/engineering clculations such as weather forecasting, real-time problems, nulear weapons simulation, NASA simulations (orbit, etc.)

3) Portable versions of 1) and 2).

I suspect that IBM worries about all three areas that comprise  significant financial streams. If the gentleman in question has deep planning knowledge then IBM should be worried.

There is precednce for this kind of situation in a similar case in the 60's. A good year senior engineer at Goodyear rubber announced he was moving over to the competition, Goodrich rubber. Goodyear had all the patents on the astronauts suits worn by NASA flight personal in its moon landing program. The engineer could take over to the competitor proprietary information that would affect Goodyear's competitive position. If I remember correctly, Goodyear's suit against Goodrich was dismissed by the courts. (Note, I may have Goodyear and Goodrich inverted.)

MamaMoose

[Mrious_be]

QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Oct 31 2008, 10:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think their more concerned about the server market. The VP had access to various inside information and company secrets. See <this article>.

I haven't read the article but the first thing I thought about is also the Server market yes.
I recently ended a temporary contract with a company here in the UK for profiling and lead generation for one of the major distributors of IT hardware (networking).
Although I'm an Apple person, I didn't really expected to see Apple on the level of suppliers when it came to servers and networking.
Most companies are still using a different manufacturer but Apple was mentioned over IBM sooo.... you can imagine that IBM is somewhat mad about it

Plus... I always see those legal fights as an "easy" way to make money (only thing you have to do is win hehehe).

[Xairbusdriver]

I agree with all those reasons, Jack. Number one is a little shaky, however, unless that expertise goes into the chip design company Apple bought earlier this year. And I'd not thought about the 'brain drain' problem. Of course, if IBM loses, that may lust open a few 'exit' doors! My Dad, when he was alive) worked most of career with Burrough's Corp (they are still around, being only a remnant of their former self and owned by others, most consumers have never heard of them, of course).

[krissel]

Burrough's had a very large building a couple miles from me in my town. They became Unisys and still operate an off-shoot company Plasma Graphics.

http://www.warrennj.org/wths/haydu.htm

My town:

http://www.warrennj.org/wths/

Note: I started reading some of the historical articles about my town and found out things I never knew, like the small airport that was only a mile away from my house at one time...and the plan to create a huge reservoir that would have inundated most of the town, the damn would have been only blocks from my house..

[krissel]

One exec in, one out.

http://www.thestreet.com/_yahoo/newsanalys...E&cm_ite=NA

[Xairbusdriver]

May be a good trade but for different expertise!

Yes, Unysis, but still not a household name! Innovate, diversify or die!