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The article focuses on the automation of software development in the U.S. It is claimed that several finished programs get tossed out because by the time they are ready, they are already outdated. To deal with the situation, most software come under the umbrella of computer-aided software engineering. Such technology helps automate the job of writing computer programs in such a way that computer-aided design has lent a boost to product development. INSETS: 'RESOURCE HOGS,' SAYS A SOFTWARE COWBOY;FOR THIS DESIGNER IT CUTS THE DRUDGERY.

The article discusses the issues surrounding the right to privacy of private company employees in the U.S. The issues concerned includes drug-testing, undergoing lie detector tests, genetic screening, and computer surveillance among staff. The right to privacy is claimed as an effective tool in maintaining both personal and professional freedom.

The article discusses the plan of a management reorganization of International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) by chairman John F. Akers in the computer industry in the U.S. Under his plan, general managers are delegated with a certain responsibility, which is to bring an entrepreneurial spirit to their lines of business. Furthermore, he also teamed up with computer designer Stephen Chen to get IBM into the latest computer trends. An overview of Akers' plan and its impact to IBM is offered.

The article reports on business conditions in the U.S. computer software industry. Large software companies and independent software vendors are invading one another's software turf. The competition is a boon for consumers in terms of a price decline but not for software companies, which will see their profit margins squeezed. INSET: LINKING ALL THE COMPANY DATA: WE'RE NOT THERE YET.

The article reports on the growth of businesses selling electronic data in the United States. Electronic information is the business of selling everything from news and stock quotes to horoscopes over terminals, personal computers and even television screens. The electronic information industry is only modestly profitable according to economic analysts in the U.S.

The author reflects on the unpredictability of computer software market in the U.S. He stated that the personal-computer software industry is still immature that it is impossible to detect its marketability a decade from now. Ultimately, the distinguishing differences may dim between personal-computer and mainframe software companies as they begin to enter each others' ground. Companies that are incapable to adjust in the rising market, growth is impossible, he added. INSETS: JERRY KAPLAN BRAINSTORMS FOR THE NEXT LOTUS BLOCKBUSTER;DON'T COUNT DAN BRICKLIN OUT YET.

The article discusses on the views of computer companies to market personal computers to the mass market. As personal computers reached its peak in the business sectors, companies are developing ways to attract the average people. Software developers are devising various programs that will combine the special needs of specific industries and professions that are easier to use. Moreover, easier-to-use computers are generally becoming a trend in the computer industry.

The article reports that bank software companies in the U.S. are having difficulties because of resistance from banks which re unable to integrate the new systems into their organizations. Upstarts may also face rejection from banks which have been disappointed by software failures. This business of selling integrated software to banks was hampered from the start by the debacle of Anacomp Inc.

The effect of the proposed incorporation of detailed enterprise risk management evaluations into the credit ratings of Standard & Poor's Corp., on the management of risk by business enterprises is described.

The article profiles Jim P. Manzi, chief executive officer of Lotus Development Corp. in Cambridge, Massachusetts. According to the author, Manzi was perceived by other journalists and business analysts as insulting. He was also accused of arbitrary, autocratic decision-making by other former employees of Lotus.

The article reports on the new company of Benjamin M. Rosen, the personal computer industry's best-known venture capitalist in the U.S. Together with the marathon he also launch his new company, which poured some $3 million for a textbook example of how hard it is to succeed in the new world of computer software. Although the competition is tough, the company gained investment and several people have already work in his company.

The article discusses the corporate turnaround efforts of Roseland, New Jersey-based Automated Data Processing Inc. (ADP) under Chief Executive Officer John Weston and President William J. Turner. ADP signed contracts to design brokerage-automation computer systems based on the IBM PS/2 computer. The company sells systems for trade-order confirmation and accounting.

The article focuses on the spreadsheet competition of Microsoft Corp. and Lotus Development Corp. both software companies in the U.S. Significant details of the companies' battle for computer spreadsheets are highly discussed. A diagram showing the stock prices of both companies from September to October 1987 is also presented.

The article reports on efforts by U.S. computer manufacturers to develop their own software products or collaborate with software developers to capture market share. Customers have been buying computers from companies that package computers with application software and technical services. IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Tandem Computer, Apple Computer, Digital Equipment and the Italian firm Olivetti have launched various software programs.

The article reports that India's cheap but skilled labor are attracting high technology investment companies. The determination of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to push through policies to build up his country's software industry to $250 million by 1990 is at the root of the sudden U.S. interest. Texas Instruments inc. is lading the way by building a $5 million software development facility in Bangalore which is equipped with a sophisticated satellite hookup.

The article reports on customers' complaints and criticism on U.S.-based IBM Corp.'s System/36 minicomputers. They said that the minicomputer is underpowered and unsophisticated compared with those of competitors. Buyers also complained that the models were designed for small businesses and not departments in large companies.

The article reports on the emergence of artificial intelligence computer programs and expert systems for microcomputers. Vendors include Symantec Corp., Sona Systems Corp., and Micro Data Base Systems Inc. Lotus Development Corp. acquired a software developer that produces an artificial intelligence program compatible with the 1-2-3 electronic spreadsheet program from Lotus.

The article reports on market supply and demand for software in the United States as of April 1986 citing the operations of the Cupertino, California-based software startup Symantec Corp. Personal computer sales outside the U.S. is expected to grow at a 20 percent rate from 1985 to 1990. Other problems in the market includes distribution and marketing specifically the lack of established channels.

The article reports on Citicorp's $680 million offer to acquire Quotron Systems Inc., a supplier of electronic stock-quotation systems. According to the article, Citicorp's offer is less than industry analysts expected despite it being more than three times Quotron's revenues. Quotron Chairman Milton E. Mohr confirms that a Citicorp deal is not acceptable to the company's clients.

The article profiles Jacob E. Goldman, co-founder of Cauzin Systems Inc. The idea to put up a computer company reportedly came in when he feels frustrating to see innovations undisclosed during his years at Xerox Corp. However, even before his years at Xerox, he has already proven his being venturous when he established Ford's Motor Co's physics laboratory. Aside from these, he likewise started selling a saliva test developed by his daughter-in-law that can determine when a woman is fertile.

The article focuses on structural change taking place in the computer software industry due to falling sales as of December 1985. Topics discussed include the merger between telephone company Ameritech Corp. and Applied Data Research Inc., the projection that software shipments should decline from a compound annual rate of 17.4% from 1980 to 1984, to 6.9% between 1985 and 1989, and the advantage for smaller software companies of merging with bigger partners.

The article presents a forecast for prices of computer software, application software, and computer programs in the U.S. Corporations are clamoring for volume purchase agreements from software companies. New business enterprises Borland International and DAC Software Inc. offer low-cost products through the use of direct mail and word-of-mouth advertising.

The article focuses on several companies that produce add-on softwares for the personal computer program 1-2-3 of Lotus Development Corp. in the U.S. Several companies have created add-on products that seize on the weaknesses of Lotus' 1-2-3 program. Among the companies include Graphic Communications Inc. and OptionWare Inc. Graphic Communications sells a program that can turn 1-2-3 data into a more presentable form. OptionWare offers a word-processing program not available in 1-2-3.

The article focuses on the merger of Micro D Inc., a distributor of computer products, and First Software Corp. It is stated that this would create the largest wholesaler of computer products and software in the U.S. The effects of this merger on small distributors are discussed. It is also informed that there is a growing trend in which manufacturers deal directly with large computer chains which adversely affects small distributors.

The article reports on the efforts of software developers to change its sales strategy by targeting personal computer programs at the broadest possible audience in the U.S. It was cited that more software companies are targeting specific markets that require highly specialized software. According to market researcher InfoCorp., the market for personal software applications is expected to grow from $524 million to $3 billion annually.

The article focuses on the difficulties faced by software companies in promoting a database software package in the U.S. It mentioned that advertising and marketing of the software were highly a delicate matter. The author cites the strategies of some software publishers in promoting new programs like writing an advertisement that only a follower could understand the technicalities. Other publishers come up with a simple easy-to-read campaign, but no one can puzzle out the message.

The article reports that deregulation in the U.S. financial services industry has forced drastic changes in corporate data processing departments. Data processing executives are now required to provide complete profiles of customers' accounts. The challenge is linking together the vast infrastructure of computers throughout a bank and convincing department managers to surrender their autonomy.

The article reports that Convex Computer Corp. is set to launch a new family of minisupercomputers in the U.S. in 1988. The largest of these new minisupercomputers will deliver nearly 10 times the potential performance of its earlier Convex C1 models. The company's stock, however, has failed to lived up to market expectations due to intense competition in the market for minisupercomputers.

The article reports that despite booming interest in CD-ROM technology, it has yet to take off in the consumer market of the U.S. in 1988. Out of over 200 CD-ROM software disks released in the market, only five are aimed at retail markets. The slow consumer acceptance for CD-ROM technology is blamed on the high prices of CD-ROM drives.

The article reports on the emergence of Enix Co.'s new Dragon Quest III computer game as the hottest attraction for youth in Japan in 1988. One million copies of Dragon Quest III were sold in one day in Japan. There were also reports of students cutting classes to sneak a peak at the new game, as well as cases of assault and theft connected to the new computer game.

The article reports on losses worth $1.1 million suffered by Xyvision Inc., a Wakefield, Massachusetts-based maker of computer-integrated publishing systems, during the third quarter of its fiscal year 1988. This resulted to the resignation of the firm's president, James W. Sole, and the layoff of 14% of its work force. The company's losses were blamed on its aggressive expansion efforts for sales that did not materialize and on the slowdown of its major clients' capital spending.