Hewlett Packard, commonly known as HP, is a multinational technology company with a rich history of innovation. One of the significant milestones in the company's history was the acquisition of Apollo Computer Inc., a manufacturer of Apollo/Domain workstations, in 198The acquisition marked a turning point for both HP and Apollo Computer, and it had a lasting impact on the technology industry.
The Rise of Apollo Computer
Apollo Computer Inc. was founded in 1980 in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, by William Poduska and a team of talented individuals. The company quickly gained recognition for its development and production of Apollo/Domain workstations, which were among the first graphical workstations in the 1980s. Unlike other computer companies at the time, Apollo Computer produced its hardware and software, setting it apart from the competition.
With its innovative approach and cutting-edge technology, Apollo Computer became the largest manufacturer of network workstations from 1980 to 198Its quarterly sales exceeded $100 million for the first time in late 1986, and by the end of that year, it had the largest worldwide share of the engineering workstations market. Apollo Computer's largest customers included prominent companies like Mentor Graphics, General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Chicago Research and Trading, and Boeing.
The Acquisition by Hewlett Packard
In 1989, Hewlett Packard recognized the potential of Apollo Computer and acquired the company for a staggering $476 million. The acquisition allowed HP to integrate Apollo's technology into its own HP 9000 series of workstations and servers. The Apollo engineering center took over the development of PA-RISC workstations, and Apollo became an HP workstation brand name for a while.
Hewlett & packard: pioneers in tech industryFurthermore, Apollo Computer's invention of the revision control system DSEE (Domain Software Engineering Environment) inspired IBM Rational ClearCase. HP's acquisition of Apollo Computer not only expanded its product portfolio but also solidified its position as a leader in the technology industry.
The Legacy of Apollo Computer
Despite the acquisition, Apollo Computer gradually closed down over the period of 1990-199However, the brand was resurrected in 2014 as part of HP's high-performance computing portfolio, known as hp apollo. The resurrection of the brand highlights the lasting impact and enduring legacy of Apollo Computer's innovative technology.
Apollo Computer's workstations were known for their elegant networking capabilities, allowing demand paging over the network and offering network transparency and low system administration-to-machine ratio. Its proprietary operating system, Aegis, was based on concepts from the Multics time-sharing operating system and utilized shell programming, single-level store, and object-oriented design.
Apollo Computer also introduced its proprietary token ring network, which allowed direct memory access page faulting from any hard drive on the network. Although it did not inter-operate with other existing network hardware or software, it showcased Apollo Computer's commitment to technological advancements.
The Impact on the Technology Industry
The acquisition of Apollo Computer by Hewlett Packard not only expanded HP's product lineup but also had a significant impact on the technology industry as a whole. By integrating Apollo's technology into its own workstations and servers, HP solidified its position as a leader in the industry and continued to innovate in the high-performance computing space.
Analyzing hewlett-packard (hpe) stock price: trends, factors, and analyst targetsFurthermore, HP's acquisition of Apollo Computer showcased its commitment to investing in cutting-edge technology and staying ahead of the competition. The resurrection of the HP Apollo brand in 2014 further demonstrates HP's dedication to pushing the boundaries of technology and delivering high-performance computing solutions to its customers.
In Conclusion
The acquisition of Apollo Computer by Hewlett Packard in 1989 marked a turning point in both companies' histories. Apollo Computer's innovative technology and network workstations propelled it to become a market leader, and HP's acquisition allowed it to integrate Apollo's technology into its own products and solidify its position in the industry.
Today, the legacy of Apollo Computer lives on through the HP Apollo brand, which continues to innovate in the high-performance computing space. The acquisition remains a testament to the importance of strategic partnerships and the power of innovation in driving the technology industry forward.