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1984
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IBM announces the fabrication of experimental one-million-bit memory chips. The chips enter IBM's product lineup two years later as part of the IBM 3090.
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The Advanced Peer-To-Peer Networking architecture (APPN), soon to be widely used by mid-range systems, is developed by IBM researchers. It allows individual computers to talk to one another without a central server.
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John F. Akers is elected chief executive officer, succeeding John R. Opel, who continues as chairman of the board. Thomas J. Watson, Jr., retires from IBM Board of Directors.
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IBM and ROLM Corporation announce a merger agreement making ROLM a wholly-owned subsidiary of IBM.
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IBM discontinues marketing biomedical products, and sells its blood processing equipment business to COBE Laboratories Inc.
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IBM announces the 3480 Magnetic Tape Subsystem, which doubles the speed at which tape units transfer data. The industry's most advanced magnetic tape system, the 3480 introduces a new generation of tape drives that replace the familiar reel of tape with an easy-to-handle cartridge. The 3480 was the industry's first tape system to use "thin-film" recording head technology.
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IBM also announces the 4248 impact printer, the fastest to date, and the 5531 industrial computer for plant environments.
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Also introduced during 1984 are the Personal Computer/AT, IBM's most powerful personal computer to date; the IBM Portable Personal Computer; the IBM Cabling System; the IBM Office Systems Family, complementary programs for use on IBM Personal Computers, System/36 and System/370 computers; the Personal Decision Series, five PC programs centered around a new data management program; and the Business Management Series, a commercial accounting system with functions usually provided by host computer programs.
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The IBM Credit Corporation introduces the IBM credit card, and passes $2 billion in total assets.
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IBM forms Trintex, with Sears, Roebuck and Co. Inc. and CBS, Inc., to develop commercial videotext service for home use.
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The company forms the International Market Network with Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc., to offer an information delivery and office automation system.
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IBM eliminates mandatory retirement at age 70 for employees throughout the United States, and medical benefits are redesigned to emphasize prevention, and increase flexibility and personal choice.
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IBM announces a program to give IBM Personal Computers and PCjr systems to urban schools to establish computer literacy courses.
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Employees |
394,930 |
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Stockholders |
792,506 |
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Revenue |
$45.94 B
+ 8 % |
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Net earnings |
$5.48 B
+ 0 % |
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