The possible break-up proposal from the US Department of Justice for Microsoft, as well as the flurry of quarterly results that contained many surprises, dominated the international world of IT and telecommunications during the last two weeks.
Many individuals and companies are urgently awaiting answers to the bandwidth and pricing issues currently constraining this country and its economy.
Paul Booth, columnist, ITWeb
At home, the proliferation of holidays masked anything local from taking centre stage, including the massive loss announced by Micrologix.
On the local front
we had good full-year numbers from Datacentrix (although margins squeezed);
very poor full-year figures from IST Group (revenue up 22% but income heavily down);
a full-year loss from Integrated Technology holdings (revenue also significantly down);
a massive full-year loss reported by Micrologix;
good interim numbers from Reunert (prospects looking good);
satisfactory interims from Set Point Technologies and UCS (margins being squeezed); and
the name change of Absec to Aqua Online Holdings, following its acquisition of the company and prior to its transfer to the JSE`s venture capital sector on 15 May.
[Local]
[Cautionary]
[Listing]
[Result]
Other local news included:
the likelihood that Deutsche Telekom, following its acquisition of Debis, will bid for SA`s second fixed-line telephone network through a consortium that could include Transtel and Eskom;
Siltek has consolidated its IT components division by incorporating Memtek and Multimedia Warehouse into the division;
Datatec has walked away from its investment in Teklab;
Dave Lello, COO of Datatec, has been appointed deputy chairman of Siltek in order to drive its e-business initiative; and
Lizette McIntosh has been named the new executive director of the ITA.
On the international front
we saw the opening of a US office/subsidiary of Software AG; and
the name changes of Input Software to ActionPoint, QMS to Minolta-QMS, Silicon Systems to Partus Technologies, Stac Software to Previo and Skylynx Comms to Inforum Comms.
[International]
Other international news included:
the
appointments
of Amnon Fisher as CEO of Genesis Microchip, Robert Hoog as CEO of Ixos Software and William McDermott as president of GartnerGroup;
the
resignation
of Michael Krasny, CEO of CDW Computer; and
lay-off announcements from Compaq.
Financial results
We saw excellent figures from ASM International, Aspect Development, Asyst Technologies (back in the black), Avnet, Bell Microproducts, Broadcom, BroadVision, Carrier Access, Cognex, Concentric Network (back in the black), Cunningham Graphics, Cypress Semiconductor, Devoteam SA, Diamond Technology Partners, DSP Group, Elantec Semiconductor, Entrust Technologies, Extreme Networks, Go2Net, Inktomi (back in the black), International FiberCom, Forrester Research, Infineon Technologies, ISSI (back in the black), LAM Research (back in the black), Lattice Semiconductor, Macromedia, MetaSolv Software, Micromuse, Mission Critical Software (back in the black), Network Solutions, Novellus, Pericom Semiconductor, Photon Dynamics, Pinnacle Systems, Plexus, PLX Technology, Proxicom, S3 (back in the black), SanDisk, Sanmina, Sapient, SDL, Siebel Systems, Silicon Storage Technology, Simtek, STMicroelectronics NV, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Teradyne, TriQuint Semiconductor, Turnstone Systems, UTStarcom (back in the black), Veritas Software, Viant, Xchange and Xilinx.
Losses came from About.com, ActionPoint (ex Input Software), Active Software, ACT Networks, Adaptive Broadband, Aerial Comms, Aether Systems, Allegiance Telecom, Allscripts, Alteon, Akamai, American Mobile Satellite, Ancor, Applied Microsystems, Applix, AppNet, Ariel, Aris, ArrowPoint Comms, Asante, ASD Systems, AT&T Canada, Auspex Systems, Baan, BackWeb Technologies Blaze software, Bluestone Software, Cadence Design Systems, CAM Cambridge Technology Partners, Commerce Solutions, CDW Computer, CE Software, Cereus, Chordiant Software, Cidco, Clarus, CNET Networks, Cobalt Networks, Conexant Systems, Commerce One, Commtouch, CompuCom, Computer Horizons, Concentrex, Concord Comms, Concurrent Computer, Continuous Software, Cotelligent, Covad Comms, CTG, CyberSource, Cycomm International, Cylink, Cymer, Daleen, Data Dimensions, Data I/O, Datakey, Datastream Systems, Datawatch, Ddi, Digi International, Digimarc, Digital Insight, Digital Island, Digital River, DoubleClick, E-Stamp, EarthLink, EarthWeb, Efficient Networks, Egghead.com, EMachines, Encad, Epicor, Equinox, eSoft, Evans & Sutherland, ExciteAtHome, Exodus Comms, Extended Systems, Extensity, Fastnet, Firstwave Technologies, Focal Comms, Fourth Shift, FreeMarkets, FVC.COM, Gadzoox Networks, Giga Information group, Glentel, Global Graphics SA, Global Maintech, GlobalCenter, Globecomm Systems, Globix, GTS, HMT Technology, HNC Software, Hutchinson Technology, Hybrid Networks, ICG Comms, IDX Systems, Infinium, Infodata Systems, Infonautics, Information Resources, Informix, InfoSpace, Innovex, inSilicon, Inprise/Borland, Intelliquis, Interact Commerce, Interface Systems, InterNAP, Interspeed, Intevac, ISS, IXOS Software, IXTC, Janna Systems, JDS Uniphase, Juno Online Services, Kana Comms, Komag, KPNQwest, Larscom, Level 3 Comms, Level 8 Systems, Lionbridge Technologies, Madge networks, marchFIRST, Marimba, Media Metrix, Mercator Software, Metamor Worldwide, Metricom, Micrografx, MicroStrategy, MicroTouch Systems, Minolta-QMS, Minorplanet Systems, Mobius Management Systems, NBC Internet, NCR, Net Perceptions, Net2000, Netegrity, NetObjects, NetSpeak, Network Equipment Technologies, Network Peripherals, New Era of Networks, Nextel, NextLink Comms, Nortel Networks, NorthPoint Comms, Nuance, OnDisplay, Onyx Software, Open Market, Open Text, OTG Software, Parametric Technology, Pasifik Satelit Nuantara, Peregrine Systems, Persistence Software, Pervasive Software, Phone.com, Pilot Network Services, Pliant Systems, Prime Response, Quad Systems, Quest Software, Quintus, Qorus.com, Radcom, Rainmaker Systems, Ramp Networks, RealNetworks, Retek, Rogers Cantel Mobile Comms, Ross Systems, Sage, Sagent Technology, Sanchez Computer Associates, SCC Comms, SCO, Selectica, Secure Computing, Segue Software, SGI, Smith Micro, SRS Labs, Stac Software, Symix, Technology Solutions Company, Telelec, Telaxis Comms, Telemate.Net Software, Telocity, Telular, The Alpine Group, TheGlobe.com, Toshiba, Tut Systems, Ultimate Software, Ultradata Systems, Universal Access, US Interactive, VeriSign, Verio, VerticalNet, Viasoft, Vignette, Virata, Vitria Technology, Vixel, Vizacom, VocalTec Comms, Walker Interactive Systems, WatchGuard Technologies, Wavecom, Wavo, Western Digital, White Pine Software, Worldwide Wireless Networks, Xerox ZipLink and Zitel.
Good numbers were recorded by 1mage Software, 3M, ACS, ACT Manufacturing, ACT Teleconferencing, ActivCard (back in the black), Adaptec, ADP, Advanced Fibre Comms, Advent Software, Allen Telecom, Alliance Semiconductor, Andrew (back in the black), Anixter, APC, Apple, Arrow Electronics, Artesyn Technologies, Aspect Comms (back in the black), Aspen Technology (back in the black), Atmel (back in the black), Avant!, Brio Technology, Business Objects SA, California Micro Devices (back in the black), Cirrus Logic, Citrix Systems, Cognizant Technology, Coherent, CommScope, Cox Comms, Creative Technology, CSG Systems International, Cumberland (back in the black), CyberOptics, Datum, Deutsche Telekom, Digital Lightwave, Digital Microwave (back in the black), DST Systems, eBay, Embratel, EMC, ePresence (ex-Banyan), Ericsson, Esker, Exactech, Exar, Flextronics International, General Semiconductor, i2 (back in the black), First Data, GenRad, Hyperion, IKOS, ILOG, Imation, Inet Technologies, Information Holdings, Integrated Device Technology, Intel, InterTAN (back in the black), L-3 Comms, Linear Technology, Logitech, LSI Logic (back in the black), Lucent Technologies, Manhattan Associates, MapInfo, Maxtor, Mercury Computer Systems, Metro One Telecomms, MCI WorldCom, Microchip Technology, Micros systems, National Instruments, NEON Systems, NetIQ (back in the black), NetSolve, Nokia, Novadigm, Overland Data, Philips, Predictive Systems (back in the black), Proxim, Qwest Comms, Radiant Systems, Rational Software, Razorfish, Remedy, RF Micro Devices, Rohn Industries, SBS Technologies, SCI Systems, Scientific-Atlanta, SCM Microsystems, Semitool (back in the black), Siemens, Siliconix, Software.com (back in the black), Spyglass, SR Telecom, Structural Research, SunGard (back in the black), Symantec, Syntellect (back in the black), Symbol Technologies, Tandy, TDS, Telekomunikacja Polska, TeleTech Holdings, Tellabs, Texas Instruments, TMNG, Trident Microsystems (back in the black), Universal Electronics (back in the black), US Cellular, V3 Semiconductor, Valassis Comms, Varian Semiconductor, Verilink (back in the black), Vishay Intertechnology, Vitesse Semiconductor, Western Wireless (back in the black), Xicor (back in the black), Zebra Technologies and Zomax.
Satisfactory figures were reported by Advantage Learning Systems, Alltel, America Online, AMS, Ansys, APAC Customer Services (back in the black), Avert, Barra (back in the black), BCE (back in the black), Bell & Howell, BellSouth, Boston Comms Group, Brooks Automation (back in the black), CACI International, CCC Information Services Group (back in the black), CGI Group, Comdisco, Comms Systems, Compaq, CT Comms, Deltek, Diebold, Eastman Kodak, Fujitsu (back in the black), GTE, Hitachi (back in the black), ICT Group, Image Sensing Systems, Microsoft, Mitek, Network Associates, Paradyne Networks, PeopleSoft (back in the black), Pitney Bowes, Quantum HDD Group (back in the black), Quintel Comms, SBC Comms, SpectraLink, Sprint, Storage USA, Sunquest Information Systems, Sybase, Syntel, Systar, TietoEnator Oyj and US West.
Mediocre returns came from Analysts International, Antec, Bell Atlantic, Benchmark Electronics, BICCGeneral, BMC Software, C-Cube Microsystems, Celestica, Ceridian, Ciber, Computron, Dassault Systemes, Data Research Associates, Ecsoft Group, EDS (back in the black), Electronic Tele-Comms, ESS Technology, Glenayre Technologies (back in the black), Harbinger, IBM, Ingram Micro, Insacell, Intergraph (back in the black), Internet Security Systems, Interphase, Keane, Kronos, Lockheed Martin (back in the black), MTS, Optibase, PSDI, Read-Rite (back in the black), Rogers Comms, Sabre Holdings, Saga Systems, SAP, SCT, SDRC, Sipex, Snyder Comms, Somera Comms, Sony, Sykes Enterprises, TelCom Semiconductor, The IT Group, Topcall International AG and Xircom.
Very poor results were posted by 3D Labs (but back in the labs), Allaire (but back in the black), Alysis, Auto-Graphics (but back in the black), Axent Technologies (but back in the black), Biper SA, Brooktrout, CapRock Comms (but back in the black), Celeritek, Cerprobe, CVC, Cysive, Documentum (but back in the black), Dynamics Research, EMS Technologies, Flexiinternational Software, Genesis Microchip, Gentia Software, Geoworks (but back in the black), Hi/fn, Internet.com (but back in the black), Landmark Systems, M-Wave, Micro Linear (but back in the black), Mechanical Dynamics, Metalink (but back in the black), Microtest (but back in the black), OSI (but back in the black), Printware (but back in the black), RWD Technologies, Silicom, Superior Telecom, Timberline Software, UBICS,V3 Semiconductor and Versant (but back in the black).
Other financial news included profit warnings from 3Com (restructuring charges), CompuCom, ExciteAtHome, Legato Systems and Radiant Systems and share split announcements from Apple, eBay, Texas Instruments and Zomax.
There were also IPOs from Embercadero Technologies (e-business), QS Comms, SCG Holding (ON Semiconductor) and Software Technologies (e-business software); and satisfactory IPOs from 360 Networks, AT&T Wireless (the largest ever IPO, raising some $10.6 billion) and T-Online International AG (ISP arm of Deutsche Telekom). Additionally, it looks as if SCB Computer Technology will have to re-state its 1998 and 1999 figures.
Stock movements
Locally
Conlog (+33.8%)
M-Cell (+29.2%)
OSI (-30%)
Paradigm (+55.6%)
PentaCom (+40%)
Pradatech (-29.5%)
PTH (+50%)
SecData (+66.7%)
Sethold (+30.8%)
Smacsoft (-29.4%)
Stella (+73.1%)
Y2KTec (+100%)
Y3K (+37.5%)
Internationally
American Superconductor (+73.5%)
Applied Micro Circuits (+80.2%)
Arrow Electronics (+55.1%)
Avanex (+103.1%)
CacheFlow (+116.8%)
Cree (+63.5%)
Digital Lightwave (+111.6%)
Digex (+61.9%)
EarthWeb (+84.6%)
i2 (+65.6%)
Novellus (+63.7%)
Objective System Integrators (+94.9%)
PMC-Sierra (+62%)
TriQuint Semiconductor (+84.4%)
VerticalNet (+92.9%)
Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates (+55%)
Final word
Tel.Com Africa 2000 takes place this week. Many individuals and companies are urgently awaiting answers to the bandwidth and pricing issues currently constraining this country and its economy. I wonder if this is not the right opportunity for these issues to be addressed appropriately and put to bed once and for all. (I`m always the optimist!)
The recent fall in the value of Microsoft stock has now put Larry Ellison of Oracle ahead of Bill Gates as the world`s richest person. As one of Gate`s leading antagonists, this will do his ego a world of good.
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