Chapter 694: Acquisition of Wang An Computer (4000+ chapters~)
The development of Tunan Technology gives Wu Jianye a headache just thinking about it!
To say that Tunan Technology makes money, it is true. With its advantages of high quality and low price, it can be said to be the largest technology company in Southeast Asia.
Whether it is his computer, notebook, or Tunan 1200 (a new mobile phone brand launched this year!), they all firmly occupy the top spot in the sales rankings of various Southeast Asian countries.
IBM, Apple, Motorola and other companies can only be Tunan's younger brother in Southeast Asia, but Tunan Technology's sales in Europe and the United States have always been tepid, even after they acquired the sales network of Shanmei Computer
, there is still no way to completely open up the market situation!
In the minds of consumers in Europe, the United States and other countries, Tunan Technology's products cannot compare to the products of the above-mentioned companies.
At the same time, the amount of money Tunan Technology spends on product innovation and research every year is a bottomless pit. From the initial R&D investment of 200 million US dollars per year, it has now increased to nearly 400 million US dollars per year. This amount of money
Not everyone can afford it!
According to Zhou Tao's report, many people within the company are now somewhat dissatisfied with the funds invested in research and development projects!
However, Wu Jianye is well aware of the future trend of technological development, that is, whoever masters more technologies will have more say. The decline of ZTE is a lesson. Wu Jianye naturally cannot let the company reduce its control over
Scientific research and development.
Compared with Very Coke and Luck Sports, Tunan Technology's products entered the European and American markets earlier, but the results have been mentioned just now.
When Chen Haichao heard what Wu Jianye said, he felt a little confused. The company had already said before that the most important market for Tunan Technology's products at this stage is actually the European and American markets. However, after two years of hard work, they still have no results.
It is indeed our own problem to completely open up the European and American markets.
"Director Wu, this is my mistake!" Chen Haichao said.
At this time, everyone has become accustomed to calling Wu Jianye Wu Dao.
Wu Jianye waved his hand and said: "This problem is not your problem alone. It is caused by the market's low trust in Tunan Technology's products. I called you here this time in the hope that this problem can be solved.
!”
Chen Haichao quickly looked at Wu Jianye and asked, "Director Wu, what should we do?"
Wu Jianye said: "You know Wang An Computer in North America?"
Chen Haichao nodded quickly and said: "Of course I know, it was a computer company that could compete with IBM!"
In North America in the 1970s and 1980s, there was a computer company founded by Chinese that could compete with IBM. That was Wangan Computer founded by Chinese Wang An!
In 1945, the 24-year-old Wang An first arrived in North America and went to IBM for its launch. The interviewer looked at this yellow-skinned face and said: IBM is the best company in the United States. This is not the place for you. You should try to find an auto repair shop.
Wang An, who was born in Shanghai, was a genius when urinating. He was admitted to Jiaotong University (now Shanghai Jiaotong University) at the age of 16. At the age of 20, he led a team to hide in the mountains of Guilin to study radio communication equipment and provide support for the Anti-Japanese War.
After the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, he was sent to the United States to study for a master's degree at Harvard University. In the first semester, his course grades were all A's.
After leaving IBM, an angry Wang An returned to Harvard. He obtained a master's degree and a doctorate in applied physics in three years, and was then recruited by Howard Aiken to join the Harvard University Computer Laboratory.
Aiken developed the world's first large-scale computer, Mark 1, and was known as the "Father of Computers." At that time, the pioneer was troubled by computer storage problems.
Storage is the core of the computer. The bloated Mark 1 cannot be moved, and storage devices have become the key. Aiken and the team tried various methods, but were unable to solve the problem until Wang An came out.
Less than 20 days after joining the laboratory, Wang An theoretically solved this problem.
He discovered that the principle of magnetic field vibration could be applied to computer storage systems, and then invented the magnetic core memory based on this.
This invention changed the history of the computer industry. It greatly reduced the size of computers and moved computers from scientific research into commercial use.
When he invented the magnetic core memory, Wang An was still a non-staff member and had not passed the probation period. Aiken quickly helped him become a full-time employee and gave him a large salary increase, hoping to retain this genius.
Wang An did not stay in the laboratory, but chose to start his own business.
In 1951, An Wang left Harvard. He rented a garage and established Wang An Laboratory, selling magnetic core memories at a unit price of US$4.
IBM, which had once dismissed Wang An, immediately came to IBM. The latter handed over a high-paying contract and invited Wang An to become a corporate consultant. The Chinese young man who had been ruthlessly ridiculed by the interviewer suddenly became this giant.
of higher vocational education.
With magnetic core memory, IBM began to practice computer commercialization on a large scale and identified it as its core business in the future. They decided to purchase this patent and firmly control it.
At first, Wang An did not plan to sell, but his laboratory was in urgent need of funds, and except IBM, no other company was interested in this ultra-era product.
IBM proposed a patent fee of US$2.5 million, but quickly changed its offer and lowered the price to US$500,000.
While making a lot of money with his inventions and suppressing patent fees, Wang An was once again angered by IBM and confronted it in court. But in front of IBM, he was still a fledgling. After a protracted lawsuit, Wang An had to compromise.
The deal was done, but the "benevolence and righteousness" were no longer there. Wang An, who received 500,000, was determined to invent more products and defeat IBM on the frontal battlefield.
In 1955, he founded Wang An Computer Company. In the following 30 years, these two awkward Chinese characters became well-known terms in the American computer field.
In 1967, Wang An decided to issue US$2.5 million in shares to repay debts. He did not expect that this last resort would be wildly pursued by Wall Street.
When the company went public, the stock was issued at a price of $12.50. At the close of the day, the stock price climbed to an astonishing $40.50. Within a few hours, 400,000 shares were sold out.
Overnight, Wang An's net worth increased by US$50 million, making him a super rich man.
In November 1971, Wang An launched the 1200 computer, which was a typewriter with search and editing functions and was much easier to use than the original IBM product.
This product attracted great attention from the press and IBM. According to reports, IBM Chairman Thomas Watson Jr., who was hospitalized for myocardial infarction, became furious after seeing the news in the newspaper and scolded his assistants for not notifying the relevant information in advance.
After cursing, Watson fell into a coma.
The 1200 computer made Watson uneasy, and Wang An's next work made IBM panic.
Based on the 1200 model, Wang An quickly launched a revolutionary product, the WPS processor.
When wps was first unveiled at a New York City fair, attendees were stunned. They saw the process of editing text on the screen, which was unbelievable at the time.
After the exhibition, offices in the United States began to be renovated. From the White House to enterprises, WPS fully took over IBM's territory. In that year, Wang An's company's turnover exceeded US$100 million.
From the late 1970s to the mid-1980s, Wang An Computer and IBM fought on various fronts, with each winning or losing.
In 1986, Wang An defeated IBM and signed a super order of US$480 million from the US Air Force. It is generally believed that this technology empire will expand rapidly in the next few years.
That was the most glorious year in Wang An's life.
In the commemoration ceremony of the "100th Anniversary of the Statue of Liberty", he was selected as one of the 12 most outstanding immigrants in the United States, ranking first, and received the "Presidential Medal of Freedom" from President Reagan.
In the same year, Wang An returned to China and was received by the old man.
He was selected into the American Inventors Hall of Fame as an inventor, sharing the honor with Edison; he was listed on the rich list as a capitalist, and was as famous as century-old giants like Rockefeller. That year, Wang An Computer's revenue reached 3 billion US dollars.
But in the prosperous times, crisis came quietly. No one expected that this popular technology empire was facing annihilation.
When Wang An "reached the top", another technology hero in the United States was also rising. The latter specialized in PCs and gave the company an alternative name - Apple.
At that time, Wang An was very disdainful of PCs, which made him lose the opportunity in the computer field. Then he made one wrong step after another. In order to compete with IBM, Wang An even chose to make his own products incompatible with IBM.
Wanting to fight the entire trend on its own, this situation obviously puts Wang An Computer in crisis.
Later, when Wang An grew old, he handed over the management of the company to his son Wang Lie!
However, the fact that a tiger father has no son has not been verified in Wang An. Wang Lie's succession was not only criticized by the company's management, but also Wang Lie began to kill chickens to obtain eggs in order to make up for the company's losses.
Increase the cost of the company's software and continue to make money from old customers. Customers will have to pay a fee of US$175 for each consultation call.
This also led to the loss of company management and scientific research talents. You must know that in the heyday of Wang An Company, its talent reserve was the envy of even IBM.
At the same time, Wangan Computer spent US$700 million in scientific research expenses during its heyday...
In just five years, the once arrogant Wang An Computer went from being the most popular computer company to a company that no one cares about.
We may even file for bankruptcy protection next year...
Bill Gates once said that if Wang An could complete his second strategic turn, there might not be Microsoft in the world, and he would not become a technology idol, but a teacher or a lawyer.
"The reason why I want you to come here this time is to let Tunan Technology acquire Wangan Computer!" Wu Jianye told the reason why he asked Chen Haichao to come to Los Angeles.
This is what Wu Jianye has been thinking about for a long time. North America is too exclusive, especially in this high-tech field. They always think that they are the strongest and have no credibility for foreign products. If
It is difficult to open up the European and American markets simply by relying on the Tunan Technology brand.
In other words, if Tunan Technology wants to open up the European and American markets, it must have the support of a local brand.
Although Wangan Computer seems to be in decline now, after all, they once created glory in North America and also have complete distribution channels. More importantly, although Wangan Computer has experienced major layoffs, their talent reserve is still
Top!
If Wangan Computer can be acquired, Tunan Technology will greatly increase their popularity and development potential in the North American market!
Chen Haichao naturally knew the name of Wang An Computer. Now that he heard that Wu Jianye wanted to acquire Wang An Computer, he immediately showed an excited expression.
"Director Wu, if we can really acquire Wangan Computer, I am confident that I can lead Tunan Technology's products to completely open up the European and American markets!"
Wu Jianye nodded and said: "The market value of Wang An Computer has dropped from US$5.6 billion at its peak to US$100 million now. This is our opportunity. While Wang An Computer has not yet sold its patent rights, we can immediately
Contact Wang Lie and propose the acquisition!"
Zhou Tao added next to him: "The group's Yaoguang Investment will help you complete this acquisition!"
After receiving the approval of the two bosses, Chen Haichao's heart immediately surged with pride and he promised: "Don't worry, you two, I promise to complete this mission!"
Wu Jianye nodded and said: "After taking control of Wang An Computer, don't delist Wang An Computer and privatize it like other companies. Since you want to use the influence of Wang An Computer to privatize Tunan Technology,
If the product is introduced to the European and American markets, it will give American consumers a wrong situation. Tunan Technology's products are North American products!"
It is not difficult to control Wang An Computer now. In Wu Jianye's view, he is the key that can help Tunan Technology open up the situation in Europe and the United States. However, in the eyes of those investors, Wang An Computer's stock has already been
It became a piece of useless food.
As long as the price is right, they will definitely sell their shares.
Wu Jianye continued: "After the acquisition is completed, the scientific research department of Wangan Computer will be merged into the scientific research department of Tunan Technology, and only the company's core business will be retained..."
Then Wu Jianye told Chen Haichao a series of plans after the company acquired Wang An Computer.
In fact, Tunan Technology bought Wangan Computer. Although it will not be delisted, through a series of operations, Wangan Computer will be turned into a leather bag company, only responsible for the promotion of Tunan Technology products.
In other words, when Tunan Technology's products enter the European and American markets in the future, they will be covered in the casing of Wangan Computer, giving North American consumers a wrong lead...
Of course, the plan involved in this was a very complicated one. After Ding Cuicui and Zhao Chengzhi left Wu Jianye's study, Wu Jianye, Zhou Tao, and Chen Haichao discussed it for a long time before finally settling on it.
A preliminary plan.
By the time Chen Haichao left the study, it was already early in the morning.
In the evening, Zhou Tao naturally stayed at the manor. He also had his own property in Los Angeles, but now neither he nor Wu Jianye had anyone to accompany them, so they were too lazy to go back.
After chatting with Wu Jianye for a while, the two of them went back to their rooms to sleep!
In the following days, Ding Cuicui, Zhao Chengzhi, and Chen Haichao went about their own business, while Wu Jianye and Zhou Tao took a break from their busy schedule and went to Las Vegas to relax!