Data General Corp launched its latest range of 16-way AViiON servers in Central and Eastern Europe at a well-attended press conference in Budapest, employing a live satellite link to the firm’s Southborough headquarters. According to company executives the live link was a first for a company announcement in Eastern Europe. The broadcast just about held together despite some sticky moments, during which time Data General dubbed a pre-recorded soundtrack onto the variable-quality visual image. Data General confirmed it was still contemplating setting up a testing and final assembly facility for its AViiON Servers in Hungary but emphasised any decision would hinge on ‘economic realities’. Such a move would probably be much more tempting were Data General to win the $29m bid to automate the Hungarian tax authority, APEH, though it is unlikely Data General could officially link the issue to its advantage as the APEH tender is PHARE-funded and hence should be judged according to rigid pre-set criteria. Data General executives at the launch were unaware of reported financial difficulties at Microsystem Rt, its partner in the country.
Everyone’s on holiday
Data General took a 5% stake in Microsystem in November and although the partnership appears to be paying dividends for both firms with a $1m plus contract for a dual-server AViiON configuration and CLARiiON RAID subsystem already concluded with the National Labour Office, the company is currently burdened by a $3.4m debt which it is having to service at 26% according to information obtained by Budapest Week. Microsystem posted revenues of $22m in 1992 – down 20% on 1991 – and sustained an undisclosed loss, though the first quarter of 1993 was profitable according to the company. The central server has been installed at the National Labour Office but the OMK does not have the funding to proceed with the installation of computers at its regional centres, and the future of the entire national network is currently on hold, reducing its value as a reference site. While Data General held a question and answer session in conjunction with Microsystem director Andrew Csicseri, apparently oblivious to its partner’s debt burden, one Microsystem executive told Computergram that the firm hoped Data General would come to its aid should it become necessary. Presented with the information, Bryn Jenkins, Director AViiON Programme Europe, commented: Partnership are a question of being supportive though thick and thin. Microsystem’s management was unavailable to comment further on the seriousness of the firm’s indebtedness subsequent to the conference; a spokesman told Computergram It’s summertime and everyone’s on holiday.
