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Doubling up with Tandem Tandem is a safe high-tech firm. The key to Tandem's success was the development of a fail-safe computer network system in which each computer in a given company's system is designed to take over the operation of any other computer that crashes. The company delivers the ubiquitous "technology solutions" through its brand of Himalaya servers, authentification software, and other e-commerce necessities. The previous glory Tandem's profits plummeted during the early 1990s due to manufacturing problems and price competition; the company subsequently laid off 25% of its employees and cut the salaries of those who remained. The company bounced back, becoming the leading transmitter of ATM and credit card transactions. In 1997, Tandem systems linked 80 percent of ATM transactions and 65 percent of credit card transactions. A big acquisition (by Compaq) Tandem's sales were at $1.9 billion in 1997, when the company had 7,000 employees worldwide. Tandem's prowess tempted Compaq, which moved to acquire the company. In August 1997 the $3 billion merger was approved and Tandem, while retaining its identity, became a Compaq company. Since then, Tandem has benefited from the exploding wireless communication market. The number of wireless telephone users that are serviced by the company's Home Location Register has soared, and its UNIX-based Integrity servers are popular. Trouble in the chain Compaq is a well-respected company, but Computer Reseller's News suggested that it may not be doing right by its Tandem products. Pointing out a "growing suspicion that distributors may be selling Himayala products directly to end-user customers," the publication warned that "no scenario could be more damaging to Compaq if it truly wants to build a Tandem channel." The magazine went on to allege that "while Compaq is servicing the very largest Tandem accounts directly, smaller accounts are slipping through the cracks." Compaq has received much criticism from various sources both within and without the industry for not successfully integrating Tandem into its corporation. Picking up the pieces In 1999 Compaq figured out what part it wants Tandem to play in the future, and is now releasing new products from the Tandem line. The company introduced a new software bundle which allows users to access data on Himalyala from other platforms via standard web browsers. The Himalaya K2000 and its NonStop Kernal operating system have been receiving praise for high-availability features, a powerful database, and fault tolerance. Tandem-based systems are now used by America Online Inc. and the Nasdaq as well as most stock markets across the world.
Interviews at competitive Tandem are no walk in the park. Compaq trains managers at formerly freewheeling Tandem in its interviewing techniques. One manager says the process is "stressful" and "skill-based," with "four rounds of interviews" and "technical questions." The company invites job seekers to visit "job fairs," though insiders say private referrals are a surer route to Tandem employment. The company's current hiring emphasis is on "software testers and software developers with strong UNIX skills and telecom knowledge."
While, in a manner of speaking, "Tandem Computer no longer exists," insiders say the company's acquirer, Compaq, is "a very good company." (The Tandem section of the Compaq web site is fairly negligible.) Tandem is now a division of Compaq, and while insiders say they "still have their old jobs and support Tandem products" and that "the new Compaq-Tandem Division does not enforce a strict dress code," the company has changed. "The most apparent change at Tandem since Compaq acquired us," says one contact, "has been in company culture. We do not have beer busts, sabbaticals and relaxed security policies. All these things used to be a part of Tandem." Morale is "a lot different," perhaps of the dynamism of a large work culture. "There have been many staff changes recently," points out one contact in what was formerly the California HQ of Tandem. The company is "not hiring much now," though software engineers are always in demand, as in the rest of the country.
Human Resources
Himalaya servers;Integrity servers;Windows NT servers
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