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Welcome to SuprasiteTMComputers & NetworksHistory & TrendsDescription· Objectives · Evolution of Computing · Network Market Share · Implications of Trends In this chapter, you will learn about... · How the computer industry has evolved through the years. · Some of the stories and motivations behind the development of personal computers. · Current trends in the industry and the implications of those trends. This chapter will give you some background on the computer industry and the information age. Click on the timeline to learn more about the past, present and future of connectivity.
To look at modern office automation trends, it helps to have context. It is important to understand where the industry has come from in just a short amount of time. Pre-1940sEarly computing devices date far back in history. They include: · the Chinese abacus · the first mechanical calculators, developed in the 17th century · the Jacquard loom in 1805 · Charles Babbage's 19th century 'Difference Engine,' an uncompleted computing device concept · The 1890 U.S. Census punch card machine designed by Herman Hollerith Mr. Hollerith eventually formed his own company that merged with a competitor in 1911 and became known as International Business Machines (IBM) in 1924. Computing devices were not invented yesterday. Humans have a long history of automation.
1940s
· The first true computer, Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer ('ENIAC' pronounced any-ack), was completed in 1946. ENIAC was developed by J. Presper Eckert and John V. Mauchly at the University of Pennsylvania in conjunction with the defense industry for calculating missile trajectories. It could calculate up to 400 multiplication problems a second and included 18,000 vacuum tubes (one burned out every 7 minutes!), was the size of a two car garage and weighed 30 tons. It ran at 70 instructions per second! Two of these systems were made and one can still be seen at the Smithsonian Institute American History Museum Information Age Display. During this same development period, the EDVAC project introduced the concept of stored instructions or 'programs'. ENAIC, built in 1946, was the first real computer. 1950s
· The 'mainframe' computer was developed · First commercially successful computer, the UNIVAC, was introduced in 1952 · Computer languages were introduced: FORTRAN (1956), ALGOL (1958), and COBOL (1959) Computers began to have a wider effect on society in the 1950s. Banks, insurance companies and financial institutions embraced the computer. Mainframes were used widely until the mid-1980s and many still exist today, although the rules for building changed along the way. By the 1970s computers got smaller as technology changed and scientists found new ways to cool the electronics. Old mainframes literally needed water pipes through them. Now the electronics are air cooled. Even today, some mid-range size computers still need air cooled rooms, and personal computers are all equipped with fans to prevent overheating. Click here to see an exploded view of a mainframe installation. <Link to 0206> The 1950s brought us the first widespread use of computers in the form of mainframes. 1950s - The Mainframe
The Glass House: This is what a computer facility looked like in the 1950s. 1960s· American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) was introduced in 1963 · BASIC programming language was introduced in 1964 · Transistors and Integrated Circuits (IC) replace inefficient vacuum tubes · Front end processors known as “Dumb Terminals” enable several users to share the CPU locally through separate terminals and remotely through telephone lines · AT&T Bell Labs developed UNIX operating system by 1969, which included time sharing and file management features, and initially distributed it for free The introduction of the Integrated Circuit (IC) in the 1960s eventually opened up the door to the development of supercomputers in the 1970s. The IC is a semiconductor device with several transistors on a single silicon chip. The first ICs were based on Small Scale Integration (SSI) - about 10 transistors per chip - and quickly evolved to Medium Scale Integration (MSI) with 100 transistors per chip. By the mid 1970s, Large Scale Integration (LSI) with 1,000 transistors and Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) was accomplished with over 100,000 transistors on a single chip. The introduction of the Integrated Circuit revolutionized the development of computers in the revolutionary 60s. 1970s
· Intel developed microprocessor which enabled minicomputers in 1971 · As more processing power is introduced in smaller packages, minicomputers gain favor · Popular Mechanics issues a challenge to build a computer for the home and 'Altair ' won · Apple and Tandy were developed in 1975 By the end of the 1970s, IBM knew they needed to compete in
the personal computer market and to make that happen they needed a shorter
product development cycle. Up until this point their average development time
was roughly 5 years. This forced
IBM to make a 'make vs. buy' decision for technology. In 1979 they created an independent
business unit in
As an aside, you may notice that many of the people who worked on these projects in the 1970s became powerful MIS directors and data information heads in the corporate environment. By the 1970s, computers were moving forward and getting small - in size that is...
1980s
· The Personal Computer is invented, first as a home device, then as a stable business tool · PC is introduced by IBM · Microsoft retains license for DOS · First File Server software introduced to allow PCs to share resources · DOS 3.1 introduced which provided network support · 80286 based Network Operating System is introduced · Microsoft introduces ‘Windows 286,’ a graphical user interface, in 1985 · In 1984, Apple Computer introduces the Macintosh Click here to learn more about the PC Story. <Link to 0210> Click here to learn more about what happened to make the IBM PC compatible market explode so rapidly. The 80s could be characterized by the increasing popular acceptance of the P.C. Now every home could have its own personal computer. 1980s - The PC Story
In 1981 Microsoft and Intel joined powerful forces with IBM, and over 100,000 IBM 8088 Personal Computers (PCs) using Intel processors were sold in 1982. The new PC with 64 kb RAM, 2 floppy drives, monochrome monitor, and dot matrix printer retailed around $5,000. This opened up the market for new software products. The popularity of VISICAL (VISible CALculator) software allowed business people to write their own financial reports without relying on traditional accounting methods. In 1983, the PCXT (eXtended Technology) included the first 10 MB hard drive. While previous generation PCs ran off floppy disks, these machines displayed a "C:\" prompt. They also retailed around $5,000. In 1984, the PCAT (Advanced Technology) included the new 8286 processor with major performance improvements, standardized architecture, color monitor and a larger hard drive with 30/40 MB. It also retailed for around $5,000. The PCAT became Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) for every IBM compatible to this day. An expansion card from 1981 would still fit in a new computer today. Click here to learn more about what happened to make the IBM PC compatible market explode so rapidly. 1980s - The IBM Compatible MarketBecause IBM wanted an open architecture, they published a "Technical Reference Manual." The book cost around $160 to anyone who would buy it and included complete circuitry diagrams. As a marketing effort, the plan backfired and by 1987, IBM's 90% market share shrunk down to less than 10%. This is because it not only enabled the machine to be easily serviced, it also opened up a clone market. In 1983, COMPAQ made a huge success in the compatible market along with numerous other smaller vendors. IBM tried to win back the market in 1987 with a new operating system called OS/2 developed in conjunction with Microsoft (and it looked like Windows 3.0). It allowed the use of a mouse with IBMs for the first time. IBM re-engineered the PC with proprietary non-ISA architecture and introduced the PS/2 running with OS/2. The PS/2 failed because it was not backwards compatible and ISA compatibles had taken over the market. IBM was more successful with the re-engineered ISA-based PS/1 in 1989. These were the first IBMs to include Intel's 80386 chip and a 32-bit microprocessor with 275,000 transistors on each chip. Although the company had shipped more than 1 million units by the end of the year, COMPAQ sealed the fate of the clone market by introducing a 386 machine months before IBM. Click here to learn more about the PC Story. <Link to 0210> 1990s
· Microsoft introduces ‘Windows NT’ in 1993 to compete with Novell · “Open Systems” is introduced · “Distributed Processing” becomes reality · LAN growth explodes with a year-to-year increase of up to 183% growth · Novell NetWare becomes the industry networking standard · Microsoft introduces ‘Windows 95,’ combining an enhanced operating system and graphical user interface in August 1995. · The Internet moves from university and government use to widespread consumer usage.
Click here to learn more about how Microsoft ensured the future of their Windows product line. <Link to 0213> Click here to learn more about the Internet.<Link to 0214> Microsoft Windows solidified their place in the 1990s and dominated the operating system market. 1990s - Microsoft and WindowsAfter the release of Windows 3.0 in 1990, Microsoft suggested to the computer buying public that IBM's OS/2 took up more memory and hard disk space than the soon to be released Windows NT (insinuating that Windows was a superior product). Microsoft then practically gave away Windows 3.1 by pricing it under $149 to ensure market penetration. They also guaranteed that Windows NT (networked version) would run the same programs when it came out. But when NT finally came out in 1994, it actually took up more memory and hard disk space than OS/2. In response, Microsoft argued that memory and disk space was so cheap that it was not important. In addition, special NT versions of software were required to run under Windows NT. Although the very popular Lotus Notes program ran under OS/2, by the early 1990s, IBM lost several billion dollars on OS/2. 1990s - The InternetIn the 1960s, the US Department of Defense (DOD) needed a way to connect different makes, models and operating systems to communicate across a network. The initial network was called ARPNET. Here the protocols and techniques later used on the INTERNET were developed. By the 1970s, scientists, universities and government organizations looking to collaborate used the Internet to hook computers together. A company named Novell began to build software for network connectivity. In the 1990s, the DOD passed on guardianship of the INTERNET to an independent organization, the Internet Architecture Board (IAB). Connectivity through the Internet for a broader audience started to kick in around 1994. UNIX is the predominant operating system used to host web sites. UNIX consists of small and compact code (as compared to Windows) which ports across the Internet quickly. UNIX usage continues to grow because it is also good at connecting analog and digital devices together. Click here to learn more about how Microsoft ensured the future of their Windows product line. 2000+Putting it all in perspective, computers have changed the way we live, work and play in every possible way. For example, less than twenty years ago, to check the balance of your bank account, you would need to go to the bank and bring your passbook to a teller. The teller would then need to look up your signature and account information on printed card files. Now, you can access the same information instantaneously via an Automated Teller Machine, over the INTERNET, or via telephone. In addition, the price of computing machinery has made accessing technology possible for virtually everyone. In 1984, the cost for a 1 gig drive was $30,000. Now a 32 gig hard drive is $349. On average computer prices dropped 17% each year in the 1990s and in 1997 there was a 22% drop in price. Take a moment now to visualize your ultimate dream car: the make, model, color and luxury options... Who know where the future will drive us? Technology continues to progress as companies find innovative ways to provide business solutions at lower costs. 2000+
Take a moment now to visualize your ultimate dream car: the make, model, color and luxury options... If the price of auto technology went the way of computer technology - that car would cost you the change in your pocket. The reason: Cars sell in millions. Computers sell in hundreds of millions. DescriptionNow that we have looked at the evolution of modern office automation trends, let's look at the current market share of different networking solutions. The next few pages will show you some of the current industry statistics. Worldwide Server Operating Environments
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Old Model - Print locally, distribute globally |
New Model - Distribute globally, print locally |
Another trend that you may be happy to hear about is that there is an 80% probability that your customer will be willing to discuss LANs.
Trends HAVE changed as connectivity alters the way we do business.
Now that we've looked at the history and trends of the computing industry, Which box must you check to insure your future profitability?
o Sell Only “stand-alone”, Non-Networked Products <Link to 0227>
o Sell intelligent, connectable and networked office products <Link to 0228>
o Sell both stand-alone and connectable products? <Link to 0229>
Now that we've looked at the history and trends of the computing industry, Which box must you check to insure your future profitability?
o Sell Only “stand-alone”, Non-Networked Products
The market of today’s customers’ needs will
pass you by. You won’t even be in the race.
TRY AGAIN!
o Sell intelligent, connectable and networked office products <Link to 0228>
o Sell both stand-alone and connectable products? <Link to 0229>
Now that we've looked at the history and trends of the computing industry, Which box must you check to insure your future profitability?
o Sell Only “stand-alone”, Non-Networked Products <Link to 0227>
o Sell intelligent, connectable and networked office products
Your prospects and customers are aware of
these products. Yes, you must be prepared to discuss connectivity solutions
better than your competitors. But don't forget about customers who are not quite
ready to go 'connected.'
TRY AGAIN!
o Sell both stand-alone and connectable products? <Link to 0229>
o Sell “stand-alone”, non-networked, non-connected products?
o Sell intelligent, networkable, connectable office products?
o Sell both stand-alone and connectable products?
Yes, You must sell
both...
· Personal Computers (PCs) are a MAJOR information business tool for the foreseeable future.
· The office place market is moving rapidly towards connectivity.
· You must learn connectivity concepts and prepare to sell to the changing needs in the modern office environment; i.e., LANs.
· You must educate yourself to understand the connected markets of today and the future.
This seminar is your start.
You've seen how far the industry has come in such a short time. There are so many new terms and concepts you will have to be familiar with in order to keep the competitive advantage.
