International Business Machines (IBM)
Type: Public (NYSE: IBM)Founded: 1889, incorporated 1911
Headquarters: Armonk, New York, USA
Key people: Samuel J. Palmisano, Chairman & CEO, Mark Loughridge SVP & CFO
Industry: Computer hardware, Computer software, Consulting, IT Services
Products: Too many to list
Website: www.ibm.com
General Information
International Business Machines Corporation (known as IBM or 'Big Blue'; NYSE: IBM) is a multinational computer technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, USA. The company is one of the few information technology companies with a continuous history dating back to the 19th century. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and offers infrastructure services, hosting services, and consulting services in areas ranging from mainframe computers to nanotechnology.Known through most of its recent history as the world's largest computer company, as of 2006, IBM has dropped to second behind Hewlett-Packard in total revenue (though not profit). With over 350,000 employees worldwide, IBM is the largest information technology employer in the world. IBM holds more patents than any other U.S. based technology company. It has engineers and consultants in over 170 countries and IBM Research has eight laboratories worldwide. IBM employees have earned three Nobel Prizes, four Turing Awards, five National Medals of Technology, and five National Medals of Science. As a chip maker, IBM is among the Worldwide Top 20 Semiconductor Sales Leaders.