Unless they happen to be Microsoft Corp, in which case they are apparently immune, companies have found IBM Corp one of the most fickle and potentially dangerous partners in the business, and over the years it has left a trail of gutted former suppliers in its wake, from Computer Memories Inc to Parallan Computer Inc, and its latest victim looks likely to be its own offspring, Lexmark International Group Inc. According to Computer Reseller News, having floated off its low-end printer, typewriter and keyboards business as Lexmark, it is rushing to get into competition with the company in desktop printers as soon as its non-compete agreement with Lexmark runs out in March. The paper hears the IBM Printing Systems Division will be coming to market with 10 page per minute, 16ppm and 24ppm monochrome and colour laser and inkjet printers. IBM is expected to take engines OEM from other suppliers, and to continue to take 10ppm and 16ppm monochrome laser printers from Lexmark. Lexmark has done very well in getting its IBM business down to 22% of its total last year from 100% in 1991, but the new challenge is a daunting one.
