Informix Software Inc has indicated that it plans to set up a wholly-owned Japanese subsidiary during 1993, according to ComputerWorld Japan. Chuck House, senior vice-president of Informix, told the paper that current exclusive distributor Ascii Corp had limitations in terms of strengthening Informix’s relationships with Japanese hardware manufacturers as OEM customers and value-added reseller representatives. Informix said however it does want to continue its relationship with Ascii – it is not clear whether Informix’s moves are in response to the recent funding crisis at Ascii, which was due mainly to its over-diversification into the satellite and helicopter businesses, among others (its core software and computer publishing business is said to be sound), or whether Informix is simply following the lead of other US software companies including Ingres Corp, Unify Corp, Oracle Corp, Borland International Inc and a host of others, which have recently set up subsidiaries in Japan to have more control over a profitable but very competitive market.
