Simultaneously the company has also launched its work expeditor, a colloboration and work management solution developed for the Microsoft exchange outlook messaging and collaboration infrastructure. The work expeditor provides advanced capabilities to help customers with workflow solutions on their Microsoftexchange platforms. The work expeditor incorporates an extensive security frameworks, an audit trail on all activities, a graphical user interface for ad hoc and role-based work flow and easy access to standard Microsoft interfaces such as the collaborative data objects (CDO). Simultaneously Microsoft announced the availability of the Microsoft visual studio, development system version 6.0 simultaneously.

It is a good thing that the two computer giants Compaq and Microsoft have come together and swapping technologies to make the ultimate consumer's life easier. This will also mean that the customer's investment will be protected against obsolesence in a highly sensitive and fast moving technological sphere whwerein what was yesterday goes to pieces today and what is today will no more be tomorrow. In the sphere of running enterprise networks, Microsoft's Windows NT and Unix are bitter rivals. Indian corporates and banks had been big users of Unix but windows NT has only recently arrived on the scene.Hereafter systems engineers need not have to waste their time in building platforms between the two systems. Unix will now be adaptable with Windows NT and Windows NT will have features from Unix. This will satisfy clients who use both Windows NT server and Unix in their data centre. Many banks have their EDPs working on Unix platforms in networked machines.

Though not user-friendly, Unix assures a quick processing of data and converts them into desired form to generate the various statistical returns. If necessary, further processing can also be done for other requirements.

In the developed countries, almost alsl Fortune 500 companies use Windows NT for business process automation but run their more centralised database retrievals and transactions on systems such as Compaq's Digital Unix. Compaq does lnot stop here. It is licensing a series of technologies from Microsoft to further spur its growth of Digital Unix to be the best interoperable with Windows NT. Compaq is particularly plannsing to bringvarious versions of Microsoft Component Object Module at its Unix Microsoft will also adapt6 more features of Compaq's datacentre technologies like robustness, scalability and clustering concept.

In New York, Compaq Computer Corp has announced the licensing of Tut System Inc's system for creating high level data networks that link multiple computers in a home basing excisting telephone outlets and standard copper wiring. This system styled as HomeRun enables residential customers with more than one home computer or computer peripheral device to link them together and share data over a local network. Tut Systems Inc is a privately held firm based in Pleasant Hill, California and Comchu International and Microsoft have taken equity stake in Tut. Compaq is the world's largest personal computer maker and incorporating Tut's HomeRun technology into its future computer products, its status will be greatly enhanced. The two companies will also engage in joint marketing to encourage other companies to developHomeRun compatible products.As the number of homes with multiple PCs and other digital appliances continue to grow, consumers will be eager to link these devices inexpensively.

If you study the above two pattern namely linking of Windows NT and Unix and HomeRun technology, you can notice the company's notion of growth in future. The future lies in interlinking various technological tools available to corporate users and personals users so that the consumer derives value for his money invested. Alsos technological obsolescence can be prevented to a great extent though one cannot forecast about the utility of the present technological devices in another say ten years time from now.

But inspite of alsl these things, competition is raging in the personal computers market. Dell Computer Corp's rapid growth in personal computer shipments within the USA in the second quarter of the current year (April-June) pulled it into a tie for first place with the long-time market leader compaq. The only good news forcompaq is that IBM has dropped from the top five ranks of PC vendors in terms of combined commercial and consumer PC shipments within USA. The continued economic woes in Asia, spread of the contagion in Latin America, the rouble collapse in Russia and the possibility of an economic slowdown even in the developed world have also affected the sales of PC in the second quarter.

But inspite of the recession, Dell Computer Corp shipped roughly 1.1 million computers in the second quarter which was more than 70% over the corresponding period of the previous year pushing its US market share from 9.1% to 14.3%. In the same period Compaq's shipments within USA grew by only around 10% and was able to only retain its market share of 14.4%. As you can see, there is very little difference between Dell's 14.4%. As you can see, there is very little difference between Dell's 14.3% market share and Compaq's 14.4%. In fact if Dell continues to maintain its momentum of growth, the third quarter may well see the displacement ofCompaq from the top slot. Compaq and IBM operate through PC vendors for selling their products whereas Dell is selling directly. In fact if you excluse Digital PCs, Dell occupies the top slot already.

Worldwide the PC industry's shipments of PCs sin the second quarter increased by 13.9% over the corresponding period of the previous year to 21 million computers. Even though the Asian Pacific and Japanese markets reported negative growth, Western Europe continue to offer inspiration.

Therefore there is still steam left in the PC market. Compaq will do well to learn its lessons and concentrate on interlinking of technological devices to offer better utility to consumers. That alone will guarantee its market position.