Fujitsu 50-50 on Compaq 8-way server deal

Rival Fujitsu-ICL Computers delivered a thumbs sideways verdict on the Compaq-Corollary alliance today, saying that Compaq would reap benefits from the deal but indicting its in-house research and development. Compaq said on Friday that it will team with Corollary to build 8-CPU servers.

"If Compaq chooses to utilise a company outside their organisation, what does that tell you about their technology?," asked Stephen Roberts, marketing manager or high-end servers at the Japanese company.

Fujitsu-ICL already has 6-CPU servers on the market that use an internally developed chipset and the firm plans to license the technology to other server makers by the end of the year.

Roberts also said that Compaq's progress would be slowed by the agreement. "This will add to the beaurocracy as there's always a transition time. They'll take a while and there'll be some fog."

However, Roberts conceded that the Corollary technology is "excellent" and said it would contribute to the breadth of customers the firm would be able to attract.

"Compaq has a very loyal and big customer base in the server arena and with the recent Tandem acquisition they'll be very strong at integrating the mid-range and high-end PC server. They're plugging a gap in their range. They've got a very clear message and a very clear way of selling up to the Tandem line."

Compaq failed to return calls requesting comment for this article.