Ibm Technology Innovation and Enterprise

Group 4

IBM Case Study Discussion

Technology, Innovation and Enterprise

‘Using the IBM Case Study ‘Think’ Our History of Progress and the lecture looking at Technology, Enterprise and Innovation, describe the challenges faced by IBM as the business played a leading role in the development of technology driven business.’

Introduction

This report aims to outline several areas; firstly we look at what IBM is and what it has done over the past century and then we go on to describe and explain the challenges faced both internally and externally by IBM in today’s technology driven business environment. Finally we have a look at IBM with contrast to Apple Inc. to see their similarities and differences, as well as the challenges faced by both companies.

Background of IBM

IBM stands for International Business Machines and has been the largest technology company for the past 50 years in terms of revenue. They have done many different projects such as developing vital technological advances to make landing on the moon in 1969 possible and developing technology to allow Social Security in the U.S. possible in 1936. They have made all sorts of iconic and essential technological advances in many different countries such as China, Italy, Netherlands, and Canada and so on since the early 1900s. They specialize in developing and supplying hardware and software for many businesses.

In the 19th century there was a merger between three companies, ‘The Tabulating Machine Company’, ‘The International Time Recording Company’ and ‘The Computing Scale Company of America’ and on the 16th June 1911 they became one firm known as ‘The Computing Tabulating Recording Company’ (CTR). Between 1914 and 1934 it became the growing leader of innovation and technology. In 1924 they changed their name to IBM and were gaining recognition for its forward thinking culture and management practices.

In 1915 Thomas Watson Sr. introduced the word ‘THINK’ into the companies...