That giant OEM contract with Sequent Computer Systems Inc will enable Unisys Corp to fill out the top end of its Unix-based systems range, giving Sequent up to $250m estimated revenue over the next five years (CI No 1,106). Unisys will take the Portland, Oregon company’s Intel 80386-based parallel processsors and add its own peripherals. Sequent chairman Casey Powell stresses that the company has no intention of withdrawing from direct sales: We have always been a strong end-user company and will continue to be one. He said that the deal would strengthen Sequent’s presence in key commercial markets such as federal government and the airline and communications industries. Unisys executive vice president Paul Ely called the Sequent systems a natural extension to the Unisys product line. Sequent began shipping systems to Unisys for internal use late last year, but rumours about a relationship betweeen the two companies were sparked off in October, when Unisys won a $10m US Department of Labor contract by fielding 28 Sequent machines; volume shipments begin in mid-year.
UNISYS TAKES SEQUENT’s 80386 BOXES TO FILL OUT TOP END OF ITS UNIX LINE
