Chapter 353 - Setting Standards
Although, relying on the special relationship with the Eastern Group, Aikang can gain some advantages in the competition with other compatible machine manufacturers. But this advantage will slowly be erased over time.
For example, IBM asked to intervene in the research and development of ERM-2 processors, but Li Xuan strongly refused. At the beginning of the development of the ERM-2 processor, Aikang started the research and development of the ABC-5 computer at the same time, so that the first time the ERM-2 came out, the new 32-bit computer products were quickly launched.
But this can't happen again and again, and as the PC market grows larger, other electronics giants are paying more and more attention to this market. If the Oriental Research Institute had been giving Aikang this kind of special treatment, then other computer manufacturers would definitely express strong dissatisfaction.
When this grievance accumulates to a certain extent, they either resort to external intervention, such as applying to the Department of Justice for an antitrust investigation, to force the Institute of Oriental Studies to back down. Either they will directly join forces and throw off the Oriental Research Institute to support other processors, such as the RISC processors that Intel is developing.
But either way, it was unacceptable to Li Xuan. Therefore, in order to appease the feelings of other manufacturers, and also to consolidate the hegemony of the ERM architecture in the field of personal computers, Li Xuan has promised IBM and other companies that starting from the next generation of ERM-3 processors, Aikang will no longer enjoy any waiting. Oriental Research Institute will treat all computer manufacturers equally.
In the increasingly fierce market competition, Aikang wants to continue to maintain its leading position in the market. It must have a unique competitive advantage. Third-rate enterprises sell products, second-rate enterprises sell technology, and first-class enterprises sell standards.
Originally. It was through guò that Aikang disclosed the technical standards of ABC-3 computers, thus unifying the technical specifications of the personal computer industry in one fell swoop and establishing its own position in the industry. However, for the newly listed ABC-5 computer, Aikang Company will naturally not choose to disclose the standard for free. Instead, Ankang has integrated a series of new patented technologies for the ABC-5 computer and is ready to license them in a packaged form.
Aikang has successfully persuaded that most of them do not have much independent research and development capabilities. However, small manufacturers of compatible machines who are eager to launch their new 32-bit computers have accepted Aikang's ABC-5 technical standard packaging and licensing scheme.
After conquering the small manufacturers at the bottom, Aikang turned around and negotiated with major competitors in the industry such as IBM and Kemoduo. Although these companies have sufficient independent research and development capabilities. But there was not enough time. After all, under Li Xuan's instructions, the Oriental Research Institute did not provide relevant technical information to other computer manufacturers until the ERM-2 processor was launched.
If they do not choose to accept the technical standards of ABC-5, then they will be squeezed by both small manufacturers and Aikang. They may not be able to gain a foothold in the age of 32-bit computers at all. Because when they roll out their new computer. The market has long been carved up by Aikang and small manufacturers.
Once they accept the ABC-5 technical standard formulated by Aikang, it means that Aikang has become the bookmaker of this game and can be very calm and invincible.
Akon intends to establish a personal computer technical standards committee to develop technical specifications for personal computers. The first generation of 32-bit personal computer standards were based on the ABC-5 technical standard.
Ikon hopes to take advantage of the fact that its other major competitors have not yet had time to launch new computers and force them to sign the Castle Alliance and agree to join the association led by Ikon. Once the technical standard of ABC-5 was elevated to the industry standard. Then Aikang Company can receive a soft hand just by collecting patent fees.
"Albert, how are your talks with IBM?" asked Li Xuan after meeting Albert Hawke. As the CEO of Akon Corporation. He personally flew from London to the United States to preside over negotiations with IBM, which shows the importance that Aikang attaches to IBM.
In terms of technical strength, even if Aikang Company has Li Xuan's rebirth aura bonus, it is still not comparable to IBM. For example, the new generation of bus technology that Aikang has spent a lot of effort to develop and apply to the ABC-5 computer is actually a better alternative technology in IBM's patent pool.
Another example is the hard disk on the ABC-5 computer, which is provided by Western Digital and Jiexi Technology. But in fact, IBM's hard drive manufacturing technology is even better, because a few years ago, the luxury accessory of hard drives was only available on mainframes and small and medium-sized computers, and that was the focus of IBM's business.
"Surrender or die!" Obviously, both options are uncomfortable for IBM, but I'm sure they'll make the right choice!" Hawker chuckled.
"The world's largest computer company must have its own pride, and we need to put some extra pressure on them to make sure they know what to do! Acer Computer in Taiwan, China, as the first company to choose to cooperate with iKang, will launch a new computer next month!
Computer Park will be promoting this new computer in all stores around the world at the same time! Albert, you can tell the news to Mr. President of IBM, I don't know if he can continue to be indifferent!" Li Xuan said with a smile.
The reason why Aikang was able to suppress IBM was because the other party did not focus on personal computers at all. If IBM really threw itself into the competition in the PC industry, it would not be difficult to launch a new computer that surpassed ABC-5 in all aspects.
Of course, given that IBM is now plagued by the disease of big business, this possibility also exists in theory. What's more, time is not on their side, and a small company like Xiang Hongji is about to launch its own 32-bit computer with the support of Aikang. No matter how fast IBM's R&D speed is, it will be at least half a year before it fully understands the ERM-2 technology and launches a new computer.
And half a year is enough time for this personal computer industry to carry out a complete reshuffle. It is precisely because of this that Hawke's words are full of confidence, surrender or death, and he is not at all prepared to give IBM a third way out.
Acer is just the beginning, and Aikang is very intimate to provide systematic solutions for small manufacturers with insufficient R&D capabilities. They only need to pay a large amount of royalties to iKang, which is still within the scope of the company, and with the support of iKang, they can quickly launch their new computers. If IBM and other large companies are still ready to choose to develop slowly, by the time their products are launched, the daylily will already be cold!
"Let's not push too hard, if IBM simply chooses to withdraw from PC manufacturing and instead provide technology to other competitors such as Apple to fight us, then Aiken will have a headache!"
Li Xuan shook his head and said, "Actually, Aikang's background is still insufficient, and it is still a little reluctant to become the sole rule-maker! As long as IBM is still willing to stay in the camp of ABC-compatible machines, we can appropriately give up some of our benefits! For example, the next generation of bus technology can adopt IBM's technology!" (To be continued......)