Compaq Computer Corp - Rapid Growth As A Personal Computer Manufacturer, Transition To A Diversified Computer Company

Compaq Computer Corp. is one of the largest personal computer (PC) manufacturers in the world. Among diversified computer companies like IBM and Hewlett-Packard, Compaq ranks third. Its products include desktop PCs, notebook computers, the Alpha operating system and Alpha chips, handheld computers, monitors, networking and communications equipment, parallel-processing computers, printers, servers and server software, storage products, and workstations. Compaq also offers consulting, outsourcing, project management, system design, system integration, and e-business services. After facing struggles in the late 1990s—involving troubles integrating its $8.45 billion purchase of Digital Equipment Corp. and being slow to upgrade its product delivery system to take advantage of Internet-based technology—the firm began retooling itself. Its "Everything to the Internet" initiative, launched by CEO Michael Capellas in 2000, reflects Compaq's new focus.