Commenting on its 37% fall in first half pre-tax profits (see Company Results, page five), Pick-popper Electronic Data Processing Plc of Sheffield says that little significance should be attached to it becasue it is down to the fact that lead times are lengthening as users demand more complex computer systems; the company says that the number of proposals that have been put to existing and potential customers is at a record level and very significantly ahead of the position at this time last year; that highly desirable cash cow for computer companies, maintenance, is now bringing in over UKP5.25m annually.
