Chapter 320 Refusal to Acknowledge
IBM will check the design plans of Hitachi's mainframes and personal computers.
The so-called inspection means that all Hitachi models will have to be reviewed by IBM before they can obtain sales permission before they can be put on the market.
Putting aside the fact that such inspections are discriminatory and insulting in nature, they were conducted by Hitachi itself.
However, such inspections include both software and hardware aspects, from chip architecture, motherboard design, component layout, to the underlying code of product adaptation software, all of which need to be reviewed by IBM.
What does this mean? It means that all of Hitachi's core secrets will be exposed to IBM.
If that is the case, then there is no business secret at all, as all the company's best-kept technologies will be seen clearly by the other party.
Now Fujitsu says that IBM may also do the same to it.
If it is a Fujitsu compatible computer, Shirakawa Kaede has no control over it. It has nothing to do with him.
But if it's a PC...
"Mazuka-san, do you know what it would mean if IBM did the same to Fujitsu?"
The warning look on Baichuan Feng's face was more serious than ever before.
“Shirakawa-san, Fujitsu certainly knows what this means, but it is only a rumor at the moment.
Our top management is also trying their best to mediate this matter, so please don’t be nervous.”
Michiyoshi Mazuka didn't know how this incident would turn out. After all, it had just happened and many unknown consequences were still brewing.
However, his comfort did not reassure Baichuan Feng at all. This kind of thing must not be taken lightly.
"If IBM also audits Fujitsu, it will mean that all of Fujitsu's previous investments in mainframes will be wiped out.
Don't forget that your number one competitor in the field of compatible computers is IBM. I'm sure you know the consequences of letting your competitors know your technical details."
Michiyoshi Mazuka's face looked a little ugly . How could he not understand this?
But this time, with the support of the United States behind IBM, we are not afraid of Hitachi and Fujitsu surrendering on their own, but we are afraid that the Japanese government will kneel first.
If that is the case, Fujitsu will be powerless no matter how tough it is, unless it decides not to do this business anymore.
As if afraid that Michiyoshi Mazuka was unaware of the consequences, Shirakawa Kaede carefully analyzed the impact this would bring for him.
"After IBM has seen all of Fujitsu's technology, the best outcome is that Fujitsu will follow IBM in the compatible computer business and pick up some of the remaining market share.
Even so, a large amount of licensing fees for various technologies must be paid every year.
As for the worst outcome..." Shirakawa Feng glanced at Mazuka Michiyoshi, "It would be that Fujitsu would never recover from its failure in information technology and would fall into oblivion."
Mazuka Michiyoshi stared with his eyes wide open, looking unwilling.
“I don’t care about the rest, but if IBM wants to censor Fujitsu PCs.
Tell him that SIC is an independent chip design company with its own technical patents.
Our chip architecture focuses on the personal computer field. If IBM wants to communicate with SIC in this area, we welcome it! "
What a bullshit censorship, these foreign devils are used to bullying. Do they really think they can control everyone with the so-called spy case?
IBM's audit of Hitachi is Hitachi's own fault. If you have the guts to do it, you must be prepared to be punished if you fail.
As for IBM wanting to take this opportunity to crack down on other copycat manufacturers, there is nothing wrong with that.
But if you stretch your hand too far and make excessive demands, it would be a bit too arrogant.
If it dares to target SIC, Baichuan Feng will not give it a good face.
This case is clearly about mainframe business, and if you insist on linking it to personal computers, I'm sure no one will be convinced.
However, Baichuan Feng believed that IBM would not make such unreasonable demands.
Because it itself is currently under antitrust investigation in the United States, and the cause is still caused by mainframes.
This type of server-type equipment is very closed from hardware to software.
This also means that everything about the mainframe depends on IBM.
From data interfaces to chips and software, all aspects are IBM's products, and other hardware manufacturers can't get any benefit at all.
And it just happens that it occupies more than 70% of the mainframe market share worldwide.
So in the United States, IBM was sued by its competitors.
The reason for the lawsuit is monopoly, and the investigation has been going on for a long time.
This is also the reason why Japanese manufacturers, such as Hitachi and Fujitsu, have gradually eroded IBM's market in the past two years, but the other party has not launched a large-scale counterattack.
If they fight back again, IBM will be the only dominant company in the world, which would confirm the accusation of monopoly.
However, the recent incident involving Hitachi has given IBM a chance to breathe. Shirakawa Feng speculates that the other party will use this incident to ask the US Department of Justice to withdraw its antitrust investigation into IBM.
If IBM really has this idea, it will definitely not expand the accountability without reason. It would be the wisest choice to stop while it is ahead.
But Shirakawa Feng was worried about the people from Fujitsu, fearing that if their knees gave way, he would be the first to fall.
" Mr. Mazuka, please understand that Fujitsu has nothing to do with this corporate espionage case!"
Shirakawa Feng stared at Michiyoshi Mazuka who was still immersed in the fantasy of being humiliated by IBM.
The latter reacted instantly, "That's right, Fujitsu is not familiar with Hitachi and Mitsubishi, and has nothing to do with this matter."
This is true. After all, according to the group learning objects, Fujitsu’s target is not IBM.
As for Hitachi's outrageous actions, Fujitsu did not participate in them at all, and no matter how the case is tried, it will not involve them.
The most troublesome thing is that some of Fujitsu's software refers to IBM's design.
If the other party wants to pursue liability, the worst that can happen is infringement, and the worst that can happen is paying a fine.
It seemed that Michiyoshi Mazuka had figured it out and slowly put his mind at ease. He was also scared when he saw the news early in the morning.
Now that I think back on it, it seems that things were not as serious as I thought.
"Don't worry, Shirakawa-san. Fujitsu knows how to handle this matter."
As his thoughts became clearer, Michiyoshi Mazuka gradually regained his former composure.
Oh, I'd better avoid copying other people's work in the future.
Otherwise, if there is another espionage case, I might even have to work on a sewing machine.
"Mazuka-san, after this incident, have you ever thought about the future of the computer business?"
"Hmm?" Michiyoshi Mazuka, who was still considering the impact of the Hitachi spy case, looked at Shirakawa Kaede with some confusion.
What does it mean? Will there be any changes in the future of the computer business?
Seeing that he didn't understand, Baichuan Feng reminded him further.
"Do you think the mainframe business will continue to expand in the future, Mr. Mazuka?"
"Mr. Shirakawa, do you mean that the future of mainframes is not as optimistic as we thought?"
Michiyoshi Mazuka was very surprised that Shirakawa Kaede had such an opinion. You know, at that time, most business companies still used mainframes as the mainstream.
After all, mainframes have stronger computing power and can meet more data processing needs.
Moreover, for companies with a large number of employees, mainframes would be more cost-effective, and there would be no problem for multiple people to share one server.
But compared to personal computers, not only is its performance terrible, but it is also very expensive.
If you want to provide one computer to every person, the cost would be even higher than that of a mainframe.
Therefore, in the current mainstream, especially in the office field, mainframes are still the absolute first choice.
Shirakawa Feng doesn't know how much market share mainframes occupy now, but he knows the future trend.
"Mr. Mazuka, the mainframe business will continue to exist in the future.
But it will inevitably develop into more professional fields, and the personal computer will become the mainstream of office work in the future."
Baichuan Feng's tone was so powerful that Jianzhong Daoyi couldn't help but believe it a little.
"What do you think, Mr. Shirakawa? Please tell me in detail."
"Convenience!" Bai Chuanfeng pointed out the biggest advantage of personal computers. "It's very difficult to move a huge machine like a mainframe, but personal computers don't have this problem at all.
Mazuka-san, do you believe that in the near future, a personal computer can be carried around like a briefcase and used for work anytime, anywhere?"
"What?" Mazuka Michiyoshi widened his eyes.
He looked at his mainframe computer, which was still a bit bulky, and found it hard to imagine it becoming the size of a briefcase.
In fact, it won’t be long before the world’s first laptop computer is born in a few years.
Even later this year, Compaq will introduce its first truly portable computer.
However, because its screen was too small, IBM has always refused to admit that it was the first laptop.
"But that's a story for later. But Mazuka-san just needs to understand that the development of computers has always been moving towards miniaturization."
That's right, Mazuka nodded. Think about the computers a few years ago and then think about the computers now, and the trend is obvious.
"As for computing power, there is no need to worry. With the advancement of technology, future personal computers will surely be able to meet the computing power requirements needed for daily work."
How high can the requirements for processors be for daily office use? If future computers were only used for office purposes, their performance would have been excessive long ago.
"Let's not talk about the distant past. How is the performance of your new FM-7 computer released in May?"
Hearing this question, Michiyoshi Mazuka smiled subconsciously.
"Although internal statistics have not yet been released, the shipment volume of FM-7 in June was at least over 200,000 units."
Not only Michiyoshi Mazuka, but also Shirakawa Kaede nodded in satisfaction at this number.
The shipment volume in June alone was higher than Fujitsu's sales of the previous generation of models in an entire year.
In fact, in the first month of May, the sales of FM-7 were mediocre, only about 50,000 units.
After all, it is a processor that consumers have never heard of, so it is normal for consumers to have doubts.
Most of the people who buy computers these days are enthusiasts, and they are quite knowledgeable.
However, some ordinary consumers did not give it much thought and just bought it directly because of the low price.
The FM-7 experience also far exceeded their expectations. The smooth operating feel and friendly system interface made it much easier for people to get started.
Soon, word of mouth about FM- 7 spread, and more and more people bought it.
However, the real reason for the FM-7 sales explosion is that the gaming performance of this computer is very powerful.
Yes, FM-7's performance in gaming has been well received by a large number of young people.
Not to mention the Pac-Man game that comes with the computer, even other computer games developed for the MS-DOS system run very smoothly.
Of course not. SIC has specially integrated the core graphics card, so how can it not be very capable?
Most of the consumers who buy computers now are young people, and games are their favorite form of entertainment.
The smooth processor, user-friendly system, and powerful gaming performance have all contributed to the continued growth in sales of FM-7.
In addition to the initial 100,000 chips, Fujitsu has placed an additional order for 200,000 chips.
Baichuan Feng knew that this was definitely not the end of FM-7, nor was it the end of SIC8089F.
In less than two months, SIC brought in more than 3 billion in profits, making it a big money maker.
When it comes to FM-7, Michiyoshi Mazuka is even more convinced by Shirakawa Kaede's discussion on the future development of computers.
So, can Fujitsu also make some adjustments to its future computer business?
