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The CITIBANK PENSION EXPERT It's not the ides of March that scare us but the ides of April. The specter of taxes causes weak knees and fits of despair in […]

BY MICHELE DOSTERT Novell has further increased its burgeoning presence in the Unix world by forming a joint venture with Unix Systems Laboratories (USL). The new company, called Univel, has […]

IBM and Apple sketched out plans for five joint hardware and software initiatives that should lead to close cooperation between the traditional rivals well into the 1990s. The initiatives include […]

Long-time combatants for desktop territory, Apple and IBM have announced a four-point peace plan that will ally the two companies against an army of other vendors on the battleground of […]

Apple Computer is redefining its distribution plan to create a program to attract network integrators. Officials say new technological developments call for integrators' skills to handle the needs of users with enterprise-wide projects. Relationships with network integrators will have to be formalized as networking issues become more important. Officials declined to say when the program would be launched, saying the vendor would be redefining its goals during 1991. The Speed Start program was cited as a possible model. The Speed Start program handles software development through Executive Integration Services (EXIS), the vendor's joint venture with Peat Marwick. EXIS creates front-end programs that allow Macintosh users to access mainframe applications. The necessary hardware comes from an Apple dealer. Integrators under a similar program would supply network design and development services, obtaining products from Apple Dealers. Reaction was mixed. Officials of NMI say that they would look at the program carefully before becoming involved. Evernet Systems officials say they are open to looking at new programs.

IBM and Coopers & Lybrand form a joint venture called Meritus Consulting Services Inc to improve their competitiveness with Andersen Consulting. Meritus will offer diagnostic services to improve the quality of business operations and products of manufacturers. Meritus will target a variety of manufacturing niche markets including consumer packaged goods makers and pharmaceutical and health care suppliers. Meritus will also target aerospace/defense and automotive companies. Meritus' advisory services will not be associated with either IBM's or Coopers & Lybrand's products and services, and clients are free to hire either company or other parties to implement a solution. Analysts claim that Meritus undoubtedly will act as a marketing arm for IBM and Coopers & Lybrand. Meritus is equally owned by both parties, and they will share its revenue and profit.