All this talk about partners for ICL rather misses the point that the picture has changed dramatically since the concept was first mooted by STC Plc, and these days, among bid European computer manufacturers, ICL is the one that needs a partner least: there have been talks with both Siemens AG and Ing C Olivetti & Co SpA, although it is not clear that anything is on-going, but ICL acknowledges that it approached Nixdorf Computer AG and proposed a combination before the force majeure from Munich rendered all other bets off; it also sought a stake in Ingres Inc, but does not now feel it needs one – but is rather pleased that DEC is about to take a stake as it thinks it gives its preferred relational database manager increased visibility and credibility in the market.
