AT&T Corp waited until late Friday to announce that it was getting tough with its loss-making AT&T Global Information Solutions computer unit, and big lay-offs among the 42,800 employees are in the wind, although the number has not been specified. The former NCR is scaling back its areas of activity, and will not be seeking new orders for the unit in consumer goods manufacturing, transport or public sector markets. The unit made an $189m loss in the second quarter, following a $143m loss in the first quarter and a $14m profit in the 1994 second quarter. AT&T Global will now concentrate on serving financial, retail, communications, services and systemedia markets. Existing clients will continue to be served in those markets where future business is no longer being sought. It has been unprofitable overall since 1991. Two businesses are moving their headquarters away from Dayton, Ohio: the segment that serves financial customers is being transferred to London and the retail-oriented operations move to Atlanta.
