The Hemel Hempstead-based minimaker and computer services group, ITL Information Technology plc, reported a set of disappointing 1988 figures yesterday. Overall, in results which showed little change from last year’s, pre-tax profits fell 2.0% to UKP2.5m on turnover down 3.1% to UKP31.1m, while earnings per share fell 12% to 5.6p. Blame for the fall in turnover was distributed evenly between ICL, which cancelled a major communications processor contract during the second quarter, and the decision taken during the year to close down the office workstation business – which in happier times generated annual revenues in the UKP7m region resulting in a UKP1m loss in revenue. The company then concentrated on explaining why, in stark contrast to the figures, 1987 had in many ways, been a year of progress. Major strides had, it argued, been made on key issues, with reorganisation of both product line and the internal structure of the company had successfully implemented. Roughly speaking, professional services now generate around 50% of ITL’s business, with hardware and networking clocking up 33% and 17% respectively – a reflection of the way in which ITL has managed to dispel its traditional minicomputer manufacturer image and become a diversified and increasingly services-oriented company. Unsurprisingly – in the light of its November entry into the Unix arena – the company also chose to deliver a standards sermon, proclaiming that daring to be the same would stand it in good stead for the 1990s. Eight Unix contracts have now been signed, including one major installation with the British Army of the Rhine, and the company predicts that its Series 21, which will run its own fault tolerant brand of Unix – Italix – with inbuilt on-line processing and multi-processing features, will prove a significant money-spinner. ITL will also offer tools to customers who wish to port existing software to a Unix environment, and has ruled that all new development will be Unix based. The company also made reference to the strategic acquisition – announced earlier this year (CI No 899) – of Silicon Lab, and the formation of Aston-based ITL Silicon Lab. The new company will develop and expand ITL’s current range of pathology laboratory software, in a bid to cash in on the rapidly expanding healthcare market.
