Title:
PC Software Workshop: Financial & Management Software

Date:
2004-11-19

Pages:
32 p.

Interviewer:
Johnson, Luanne; moderator
Ceruzzi, Paul; historian
Cortada, Jim; historian
Haigh, Thomas; historian
Carr, Robert; participant
Hines, Karol; participant
Hoxie, Gib; participant
Kapor, Mitch; participant
Keet, Lee; participant
Phillips, Jan; participant
Ross, Ken; participant
Toole, John; participant
O’Donald, Louise; editor
Grad, Burton; editor

Abstract:
A group of experienced pioneers in PC software discussed various aspects of producing PC financial management software. They talked about financing their companies and the initial products which they developed and marketed. They reviewed how DEC had misread the market opportunity with their Rainbow PC and some of the other failures because of not matching the application functions to the capabilities of the machines available at particular points in time. Other topics were the choice of languages used to implement the programs, spreadsheet competitors and expanding the businesses internationally. There were comments about multiple application suites and the discussion closed on the wisdom of hiring former IBMers to work in PC businesses.

Keywords:
Johnson, Luanne
Ceruzzi, Paul
Cortada, Jim
Haigh, Thomas
Carr, Robert
Hines, Karol
Hoxie, Gib
Kapor, Mitch
Keet, Lee
Phillips, Jan
Ross, Ken
Toole, John
DEC Pro 350
Duns Plus
Estridge, Don
Framework
IBM Employees
Lotus 1-2-3
Lotus Development Corporation
Max Pro/DEC 350
Ross Systems
VISICALC
VISION
Xerox PARC

Rights:
Software History Center

102658198