This is a case study about the Compaq Corporation.

Essay by wetschUniversity, Bachelor'sA-, October 2003

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Business Description and History:

With $111 million in revenues in 1982 to over $18 billion in worldwide sales in 1997, Compaq computer started out to be "just like" IBM and ended up revolutionizing the PC industry. Even in the days when computer companies were being started by people in garages, Compaq's beginning was unique. In 1981, Joseph "Rod" Canion, Jim Harris, and Bill Murto, who were all senior manager engineers, left Texas Instruments and invested $1,000 each to form their own company. Their first idea was a portable personal computer that was sketched on a paper placemat in a Houston pie shop. The founders presented their ideas within the emerging standard and agreed to fund the new company. Their brainchild was the world's first standard-based portable computer and it was extremely successful. In the first full year of trading, Compaq sold more than 53,000 units and sales reached over $111 million, which is a US business record for a new company.

Compaq Computer Corporation is a Fortune Global 200 company. Compaq is the second largest computer company in the world and the largest global supplier of personal computers. Compaq develops and markets hardware, software, solutions, and services, including industry-leading enterprise computing solutions, fault-tolerant business-critical solutions, networking and communication products, commercial desktop and portable products and consumer PCs. The company is an industry leader in environmentally friendly programs and business practices. Compaq products are sold and supported in more than 100 countries through a network of authorized Compaq marketing partners.

At Compaq, they have always recognized the need to become a global leader in enterprise computing solutions. The acquisition of Digital Equipment Corporation, an American US-based designer and manufacturer of mini-computers will greatly strengthen value proposition to customers. They are committed to supporting these key customer relationships by investing in...