IBM SuccessStory

Some of the many astonishing and globally admired inventions of IBM include automated teller machine (ATM), floppy disk, hard disk drive (HDD), Universal Product Code (UPC), magnetic stripe card, SQL and Watson artificial intelligence. 

Very recently, the company acquired SPSS and Kenexa in the years 2009 and 2012 respectively. Upon its acquisition, IBM left off one of its mainstream product lines, ThinkPad. In the year 2005, ThinkPad was acquired by Lenovo which is now sold under its own franchise.

In the last few decades, with the onset of technical revolution, IBM took the market with a storm, keeping its firm roots in sectors like computing, microprocessors, data storage devices, gaming consoles and many more. Current consoles like Xbox 360, Sony PS3, Wii and Nintendo all use IBM manufactured microprocessors. Majority of the electronically operating devices, hitherto, uses IBM powered microchips and processors.

IBM's instinctive style of process development and unified organizational culture has been laid by its ex-CEO, Thomas J Watson. Watson led IBM from 1914 to 1956. During his tenure, Watson laid the firm foundation of IBM as one the strongest and the most innovative technological firm of its time. This is reflective in IBM's product and customer services. Watson died in 1956, being honored as one of the most influential and greatest salesman of his time.

IBM, having its roots in one of the fastest growing precinct of the current era, computers and IT services and consultation, has transcended some of other big players of the arena. In 2011, IBM excelled Microsoft with a closing value of $214 billion leaving behind the technology giant at $213.2 billion. A year later, IBM acquired Texas Memory Systems so to expand its technology department further while enhancing the quality and the quantity of its production.

IBM has a unique way of employee management. It was the first company to start group life insurance in the year 1934 along with survivor benefits in 1935 and paid vacations in 1937. Although controversial, IBM made sure its same-sex employees are dealt with equality on the grounds of health benefits and anti-discrimination laws. In 2003, Human Rights Campaign voted IBM for its same-sex friendliness and anti-discriminative practices.

IBM's current logo, the '8 bar' was designed by Paul Rand. After the initial logo that was released in 1966, the current IBM logo was made available in 1972. IBM is popularly known as 'Big Blue' because of its blue color in logo, product, pickings etc.

With over 4 million employees, IBM is one of the largest and the most trusted brand in IT sector, covering almost major portions of the globe. With its unique trend of business and marketing, it has set new patterns and derivations that most companies follow. Ranked as No. 2 according to the Fortune, IBM has indeed revolutionized the current scenario of the IT sector.