The 1401, the standard work of solids was not untouchable: The first attack took place traditionally by the irrepressible Jim Rand with UNIVAC Solid State 80/90 II, which - as usual - more powerful and cheaper, and was correspondingly low sales figures achieved. In Europe, rumbled the French, motivated by de Gaulle, but funding is not sustainable, with the Bull-Gamma series, which achieved a real market penetration. At the height of the success curve Bull slumped into the red. Too rapid growth was clearly at the expense of the capital base and the losses increased to 100 million DM
The most serious competitor to the IBM came out of the control technology. Honeywell copied that made 1401, it quickly it sold 50 percent less than IBM's price and delivered with the "Calibrator" with the first compatible software. The Honeywell H 200 was the most successful non-IBM system. Reason: For the first time a competitor had been abandoned on technical innovation and market conforming to standards oriented.
The distribution was conducted on a short leash and catapulted around 2,000 H 200 on the world market. IBM responded to the scare just the right time and announced the / 360 prematurely. The control loop is closed again. The announcement effect, the IBM staged for the first time on a broad basis, the second generation pushed onto the sidelines. to beat
The Honeywell strategy, IBM at their own game was, though not an absolute hit, but he pointed the right direction. Through the announcement of the / 360 fell Honwell although temporarily in financial difficulties, as the H-200 series, contrary to expectations only in short-term contracts in the market remained. Nevertheless, this resulted in customer base, which is still brave will be defended and expanded.
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