Re: IBM - Thompson & Palmisano move up.

[MacWheel99@xxxxxxx]

From Al Macintyre

A key phrase for me was News 400 saying

<< Server Group chief Sam Palmisano into a newly resurrected position of 
president and chief operating officer and naming Software Group chief 
(and former AS/400 chief from the early `90s) John Thompson as vice 
chairman, >>

which means there is someone at the top with a comprehension of how the 400 
can fit into IBM replacing less comprehensive know-how.  It looks like other 
former 400 folks also moving up the hierarchy, so the initial news is good 
for 400.

> From: pascal.bellerose@progisys.com (Pascal Bellerose)
>  
>  I'd be interested to have your opinion on this John.
>  I have no idea who those guys are but I'm interested in how they will 
affect
>  the AS400 environment.
>  
>  TIA
>  
>  Pascal Bellerose 

I had no idea who these guys were either until I read an e-News/400 which said

IBM RESHUFFLES EXECUTIVES
http://www.as400network.com/nwn/story.cfm?ID=7935
IBM has once again reshuffled its executive ranks, moving Server 
Group chief Sam Palmisano into a newly resurrected position of 
president and chief operating officer and naming Software Group chief 
(and former AS/400 chief from the early `90s) John Thompson as vice 
chairman, both reporting directly to CEO Lou Gerstner. Bill Zeitler, 
onetime head of the AS/400 Division before Tom Jarosh and currently 
general manager of IBM's Enterprise Servers Group (IBM's top 1,500 
hardware accounts), will step up to fill Palmisano's shoes, and 
Software Group executive Steve Mills will replace Thompson. At the 
same time, IBM is breaking Storage Systems into its own division to 
be headed by Linda Sanford.

With the reorganization, Palmisano will handle IBM's day-to-day 
operations, while Thompson will focus on major strategic initiatives 
such as Linux, wireless technology, and so on. Palmisano, 48, is a 
27-year IBM veteran who, prior to heading up the Server Group two 
years ago, racked up experience in services, sales, and international 
markets and who "has successfully grown several major businesses for 
IBM," says IBM spokeswoman Carol Makovich. Thompson, 57, is a 43-year 
IBMer who started as a systems engineer in Canada and moved up to 
become president and CEO of IBM Canada before coming to the U.S. in 
the early `90s to take on executive positions in services, AS/400 
Division, Server Group, and Software Group.

The reorganization leaves a question about what it all means for IBM 
and its customers. In a statement issued yesterday, Gerstner said the 
shift in responsibilities brings "a new organizational approach that 
will strengthen our focus on both day-to-day marketplace results and 
future growth responsibilities." However, rumors have been bandied 
about for several months that Gerstner, who joined IBM seven years 
ago in 1993, is looking to retire, and the New York Times reported 
this morning that the executive reshuffling is an effort to move 
Gerstner's heir apparent, Palmisano, into a position of succession. 
IBM wouldn't comment except to say that Gerstner's contract runs 
through March 2002 and that succession is a matter for the board of 
directors.

>  From:    jpcarr@TREDEGAR.COM (John Carr)

>  Is this good news or neutral for the AS/400 ??

>  http://www.infoworld.com/articles/hn/xml/00/07/24/000724hnibmcoo.xml
                                                   
>   John Carr             

Al Macintyre  ©¿©
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