HP knocks IBM off Unix top spot

Hewlett-Packard (HP) has replaced IBM as the leading Unix vendor, but that may not last, according to analysts at IDC.

The research gives HP 23 per cent of the worldwide Unix market in the first quarter of this year, up from 19 per cent for 1997. IBM's share has slipped to 16 per cent from 20 per cent last year.

But Michelle Bailey, senior research analyst at IDC, said that could be a temporary anomaly. While HP revamped its mid-range K and T class servers in mid-1997, IBM waited until the end of the year to update the AS/400. "IBM could take the share back. They've had a short-term set-back with the refresh of their AS/400 line," she said.

HP product manager, Nick Dagg, disagreed. "HP has a clear roadmap for Unix. We will be investing heavily in Unix and we intend to keep growing our market share."

Dagg continued: "The most important consideration for IT directors is investment protection, and HP offers that. Unix is going to the high end, and our collaboration with Intel and IA64 shows our customers we're ahead of the game."