Dexter Henderson, senior local executive for
IBM Austin, tells Axios that "there is not a
downsizing here at all" with the move to the
new building.
Expect several RAs for Austin employees prior to 2027.
https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/05/03/ibm-will-move-to-new-domain-building-by-2027
Littleton/Lowell (MA) is no longer a strategic site for IBM Software, either. I was told four strategic sites: SVL USA, Markham Canada, Kochi India, and Bangalore India.
So can we use the currently announced numbers
Austin’s reported headcount (average thru 2020’s) = 6000
Austin’s current reported square footage = 800k
Austin’s current new contacted square footage = 320k - 12k terrace = 308k
Thus 800k / 6000 = 308k / x X = 2,310
Ahh Dexter I think you are fibbing
https://www.statesman.com/story/business/2023/05/05/ibm-the-domain-austin-move-workers-new-campus-2027-n-mopac-expressway/70179376007/
Just as an aside...is 062 still a dump like it was when I was there (1999)? When I worked in RTP I was in that building, and it had obviously fallen on hard times. Ragged carpet, water fountains barely functional, no vending machines, old restrooms (at least they were maintained though).
The 500 complex was a lot better, probably because it was newer (I think). When I was reassigned to Austin and then Toronto, I was glad to get out of there, because it was really depressing. It didn't help that every day, you could see former Networking division staff in RTP leaving for Cisco. I've never seen the Cisco building(s) in RTP, but I imagine they were nicer places than 062.
I don't get OP Point. For example in "RTP" nearly ALL of "Main/062" is all relocated to "500 Complex (across the street)"
Basically since Covid relaxed - in "RTP" complex's attendance has consistently been << 20%.
So they're moving ALL that commit to 3 days per week or more to 500 complex building 503 and mothballing / shutting down all others.
The only exceptions are labs and some associated personnel - because labs are expensive to move (though I'd still expect "Main/062" to be consolidated into 500 complex.
Anyway, I'd expect consolidation at every complex and where amenable total shutdown.
This is an ill-informed post. I have worked for IBM in Austin for decades, but have been full time work at home since March, 2020 when essentially the entire 90x campus was shutdown. By that point, however, many floors were already only partially occupied (including mine), and one of the buildings was completely leased out to a state agency, and similar deals were under discussion (and some have, in fact, subsequently been done). Post-pandemic, virtually no one has a full time office on campus anymore; you have to temporarily occupy offices in pre-designated areas. Plus, the entire 90x campus is being redeveloped by the owner - IBM has leased back space for many years.
So, this strikes me as right-sizing to the current on-campus population as opposed to what the OP implies. Now, of course, there can - and will - be more layoffs regardless of any real estate change such as this.
If SVL is strategic (probably because of IMS and DB2) then surely POK is strategic.
SVL is strategic
Out of curiosity...which lab is now strategic? Austin was the big one when I was at IBM (900 complex).
From IBM Software’s perspective, Austin lab is no longer considered to be strategic one.