Content area
The many capabilities of the microcomputer used in-house, proliferation of new languages, and emergence of user-oriented software have made inroads into the territory formerly belonging to remote computing services. Vendors are thus changing their focus from providing central processing unit (CPU) power to diversification across a broad range of applications and services. In the coming 5 years, these firms are expected to establish a more visible presence in such areas as software, communications, and consulting markets. Time-sharing vendors will become information providers rather than processors, according to Alfred Berkeley of Alex Brown & Sons. A report issued by Input has warned that remote computing services vendors that fail to take fast action to integrate micros will face severe consequences. A survey has revealed that 48% of 50 remote computing services' users spent less for remote computing last year, that they purchased micros for cost and control reasons, and that information analysis is the most important application run on the micros. The top 10 remote problem solving vendors and their capabilities, as ranked by International Data Corp., are presented.