IBM: The Making of the Common View

Describes IBM's decision to introduce Systems Application Architecture so that future software will run on IBM's PC, mid-range, and full-sized computers

Killen recounts the story of IBM's decision to move to Systems Application Architecture (SAA), a major commitment by the company to create a method that would allow software written to SAA standards to run on all its computers. SAA may be the most significant decision IBM has made in the past decade and will probably have impact on the direction of the company through the end of the century. Re-creating the meetings and the processes executives used to create and sell this major change of direction, Killen gives an interesting view of the decision-making process and interdepartmental cooperation needed for such a change. Enjoyable for those comfortable with computer jargon; essential for anyone using IBM computers. Michael D. Kathman, St. John's Univ. Lib., Collegeville, Minn.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.