Thread regarding IBM layoffs

CA used to be known as the place good software goes to die. I think IBM have taken on that mantle. for the last 5 years or longer there has been no innovation IBM is not a tech company. what was the last thing IBM developed software wise that was a success ??

I cant think of anything - just acquisitions - that go off to die.....

Sad that she is still in that role pulling 30 plus million a year.

Hows Lotus working out for them ? All employees are using the full suite of lotus tools right ?

IBM tore apart SPSS, and all their Blue Wash and then years later RA tech support, training, sales, unless you were one of the lucky knee walkers. Every time they bring in an acquisition, they tear it up and spit out the hard working people who made those companies. The only people that come out on top are the executive who walk away with millions.

Political rant aside, a good post.

IBM is about as successful as Obamacare

Bingo. Even before IBM bought them Truven was suffering the "death of a thousand cuts" from upstarts with better technology and execution. Their flagship products were already on life support and now that it is obvious that Watson adds NO Value to their solution IBM has chopped development and support to milk every dollar out of their remaining agreements. What IBM doesn't understand is that many of Truven's agreements are two to three year terms.

Cognos, I'd completely forgotten we bought them. I think Rational was my favourite acquisition disaster although was only a mere 2 billion I think.

Has IBM ever lifted or improved an acquisition at all?

IBM just destroys everything they touch. Rebranded junk like DB2, Tivoli, and Storage manager are old junk spruced up year after year and the only thing barely holding on.

IBM acquires companies to:

1) Increase top line revenue. Something must be done when organic growth is negative.

2) Infuse new blood into the organization.

1 fools no one. The low stock price and declining marketshare is evidence of that. The days of $100 billion in annual revenue are gone.

2 is more insidious. As mentioned by the OP, much of the acquired braintrust leaves IBM in a few years. Where do they go? To competitors! IBM opens the kimono to these smart people who are then compelled to go elsewhere. When they come up against IBM in the future they've been shown how to capitalize on IBM weaknesses.

One good thing can be said about being acquired by IBM: It improves the career outlooks for the good people - especially the over 50 crowd - who are forced to leave. And it gets better. People spit out from IBM rarely say good things about their former employer. This tells the smart people working elsewhere to stay away.

IBM acquisition strategy has become: lose, lose - and lose.

Kenexa，acquired in 2013, turns out a nightmare for Kenexaer.