Survey reveals Digital customer concerns

Hewlett Packard this week claimed that Digital customers have been left in a state of uncertainty following the supplier's takeover by Compaq.

One hundred of the Times 1,000 companies, including organisations such as Midland Bank and Yorkshire Water, were asked for their views on the takeover in a survey commissioned by Hewlett Packard.

About one-third saw it as a positive move, with a similar number still undecided. The remaining third expressed concern, although the vast majority believed it would bring financial stability to Digital.

Despite Compaq's public insistence that Digital's proprietary operating systems and Alpha processor would be preserved, 71 per cent of the companies questioned remained concerned.

A number of the respondents were worried by the Microsoft syndrome - industry consolidation reducing customer choice, principally in favour of Microsoft.

A Hewlett Packard representative said the survey was commissioned to identify those Digital customers who were concerned about the implications of the merger and had vital technology decisions to make, in a bid to offer them alternatives from Hewlett Packard.

The survey comes as Compaq was deciding which distributors it will keep on for its merged product line.

Partners have warned of uncertainty despite the fact that Digital's two former suppliers, Ideal Hardware and Westcoast, have been appointed to Compaq's distributor line-up (PC Dealer, 22 July).