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A computer utilities giant When it comes to computers, Symantec does the dirty work. Founded in 1982, the Cupertino, California-based software company has made its name developing utility programs, which perform basic housekeeping tasks like managing and protecting files from computer crashes and viruses. In addition to the Norton product line of utility software, Symantec produces fax software including the pcANYWHERE, WinFax and ACT! lines, and the Cafe product lines in Internet development tools. Recently departed CEO Gordon Eubanks, who bought the fledgling company from founder Gary Hendrix in 1984, established Symantec's niche markets to escape competition with software giants Microsoft and Lotus. How secure is your content? Looking to expand out of the anti-virus market, Symantec in 1999 and 2000 began a push into the "content security" market. These products keep e-commerce transactions secure, filter unwanted content from e-mail, and help employers and parents keep their employees or children from accessing unauthorized web sites. They also are providing virus protection for every piece of outgoing mail on the Yahoo! mail system. Enter Norton The company first went public in 1989, and merged with Peter Norton Computing, the DOS utilities leader, a year later. Over the next several years, the firm continued to grow through acquisition. Symantec's acquisition spree in the early 1990s has slowed somewhat, largely due to the $40 million loss the company suffered as a result of its 1995 acquisition of Delrina, part of the company's failed attempt to cash in on Windows 95 utilities. Recent plans include an increased focus on Internet and Windows NT Systems, and expansion in the Asia/Pacific region. In the past several years, however, business has rebounded, largely on the strength of the company's Norton utility and anti-virus programs - expecially after the fear created by the notorious Melissa and I Love You viruses. Strengthening its position Other successful products included the introduction in late 1997 of CrashGuard, a product that prevents memory losses during computer crashes. In June 1998, Symantec announced the $27.5 million purchase of Binary Research Ltd., a New Zealand-based maker of disk-copying software such as the popular program Ghost, which quickly copies PC hard drives. Symantec also teamed up with IBM that year to develop and market new versions of Norton AntiVirus. A courtroom habitu? Symantec filed copyright infringement charges against its competitor Network Associates (formerly called McAfee Associates) in April 1996, alledging its code was copied in several programs. That lawsuit was finally settled in late December 1999. However, Symantec found itself on both sides of lawsuits in 1998 ? a class-action suit was filed against the company on behalf of users with early versions of Norton AntiVirus. The suit alleged that Symantec ignored its warranty by charging to fix a year 2000 software glitch. A healthy future? In March 1999, Symantec completed its acquisition of rival Quarterdeck for $65 million, further strengthening the company's position as the world leader in utility software for business and personal computing. Also in 1999, the company announced the development of a Digital Immune System product which will include a variety of utilities designed for network use and integrated into a centralized systems and policy management package. In April 1999, founder Gordon Eubanks left the company and was replaced as CEO by IBM veteran John Thompson. Thompson became the only African-American executive running a top Silicon Valley company. Symantec has seen its stock price increase five-fold and its products become enormously popular under the leadership of Thompson. Symantec is now focusing on offering virus protection to corporations, most specifically to their entire LAN newtork with easily installed and managed software.
Under the "Corporate" portion of Symantec's web site, the "Career Opportunities" section offers an excellent resource for job descriptions and openings, and visitors can apply right there. Qualifications and requirements vary by position. Says one recruiter: "In general, we're looking for highly motivated, high energy, high integrity people who see the value of focusing on customers - and a sense of humor doesn't hurt either."
With an excellent benefits package and friendly coworkers, employees describe Symantec as a "wonderful place to work." "It's a pretty casual environment, dress is business casual - it's fun working here," says one employee. "The people are great, very intelligent, high energy." Though Symantec has numerous locations worldwide, employees in finance and marketing work in the Cupertino headquarters. Employees praise the training programs offered to recent college graduates and note that "hiring women and minorities is a priority." "Two of our VPs are women and many of our directors are." And of course, the company's new CEO, John Thompson, is an African-American. Employees report that the company takes care of its own: "We offer stock options, profit sharing, 401(k) match, great medical coverage with a domestic partner program." Insiders are even more enthused about the little things: "an on-site drycleaning service, on-site car detailing in the summer, ATM in our lobby, mail services, and parties on our roofdeck."
Human Resources
Advanced utilties;Norton utilities;Consumer/productivity applications;Contact management software;Development tools;WinFax Pro;Network/communications utilities;Security utilities
Microsoft;Network Associates;Phoenix Technologies;Quarterdeck;Traveling Software More Company Profiles For more career information, go to Vault.com ©2000, Vault.com Inc
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