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MEMORANDUM
Gateway
My value added
is: Added color in table of contents and company logos with links to
homepage where available.
Table of Contents:
Internet
Sources:
1. Gateway
Homepage - http://www.gateway.com/
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details information on all the services and products offered to consumers
by this computer manufacturer. Computer solutions are broken down
into consumer categories of home and home office, small and mid-size businesses,
large businesses, government, and education. Each of these links
lead to products applicable to the groups needs. If a user finds
a product they like, purchasing the computer over the internet is offered
as well. Along the sidebar more options are featured such as product  support,
global gateway offering sales worldwide, and a store locator promoting
special events at Gateway Country location across the U.S. Towards
the bottom of the front page, are the featured links to the accessory store,
high-speed internet service, tech help, driver downloads, remanufactured
PCs for sale, and the Microsoft Windows XP Info Center detailing the new
operating system from Microsoft.
Gateway was founded
by CEO and chairman Ted Waitt while living on his family's cattle farm
in Iowa. Gateway went public on the New York Stock Exchange in 1993
and is now headquartered in San Diego. The firm has since expanded
into $9.6 billion, Fortune 500 company. Reinventing the computer
industry has helped Gateway stay near the top. In 1996, they became
the first major manufacturer to sell computers online. They were
also the first to offer computer shopping in retail stores, the Gateway
Country's located all across the U.S. Their motto, "You've got a
friend in the business," is shown through their excellent customer service
and convenience.
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| 2. Gateway
United Kingdom - http://www.gw2k.co.uk/emea/default.asp
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offers information, products and services similar to above homepage but
in reference to the United Kingdom marketplace. The site details
that Gateway will no longer actively sell products overseas to the UK.
Links are provided to Gateway news and technical support. All other
options on the website link back to the main Gateway homepage. The
site will remain open to handle support questions but no longer access
to purchasing products.
The Gateway UK division
closing is yet more proof of the struggling computer industry of recent
times. Gateway has also begun to end operations in other countries
across the globe in order to to eliminate the losses overseas.
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| 3. Gateway
Partners - http://www.gatewaypartners.com
- Gateway partners is a business venture looking
to offer clients the products backed by the best possible support and service.
Sales representatives are detailed using a United States map in order to
find one closest to the browser. Global accounts are also available
to Europe, Latin America, and the Pacific Rim. There are also links
leading to the complete Gateway product line and solutions for resellers.
Gateway Partners
is yet another way Gateway is looking to give the best possible customer
service possible. These relationships between businesses are beneficial
to both parties involved. |
4. Dell
Computer Homepage - http://www.dell.com
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offers a comprehensive overview of its products and services available.
Major competitor in the computer industry ranking number 48 on the Fortune
500 list and boasting $32.6 billion in revenue the last four quarters.
Dell was the first company to launch a website in  1994.
The website offers personalized computer sales to over 80 countries worldwide.
Options for computer sales include consumer, business, and public customers.
Dell also offers services such as consulting, deployment, and support.
Other products available on the website include servers and storage, networking
tools, software, and peripherals.
Dell is one of the
top competitors in the computer industry against firms such as Gateway.
Both are battling to be the leader in the industry with each firm producing
their share of firsts. However, Dell continues to lead the race with
higher revenues and return to its shareholders.
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| 5. PCWorld.com-
http://www.pcworld.com
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website offering a wide variety of information on technology of all kinds.
Link tabs at the top of the screen direct you to a number of options including
news, reviews, how-to problem solving, a product finder and more.
Users can browse news headlines covering all spectrums of technology from
government issues to virus problems. PCWorld.com also features a
selection of reviews ranging from personal computers to laser printers
and digital cameras. This can be a valuable resource for consumers
looking for reputable information on products they wish to purchase in
the future. This site also boasts a great number of awards and honors
making it one of the most reliable and well respected computer sites on
the internet.
Gateway has received
numerous awards courtesy of PCWorld.com. The most recent include:
Oct. 2001 - # 4 Home PC Model Gateway Select 1400
Oct. 2001 - # 7 Power PC Model Gateway Professional S1800
These awards are
easy to find via the internet and help improve the image of quality and
value portrayed by Gateway. Achieving awards is always one of the
best forms of advertisement available, especially when it is publicized
by a popular at reputable source such as PCWorld.com.
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| 6. Computer
Business Review Online - http://www.cbronline.com/cbr.nsf/Home
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offers all the latest news in the computer industry. Links provide
directions to news stories and archives, company profiles, and trends and
indicators in the field.
Latest news on story
on Gateway computers is the cutting of 1,085 jobs as the UK and Ireland
manufacturing plants are being closed. Gateway will eventually close
more plants in South Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
A 21% drop in sales has caused this downsizing with Gateway. |
7. Hewlett-Packard
Homepage - http://www.hp.com
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another of the computer industry's leading competitors. Hewlett-Packard
was founded in 1939 over sixty years later is the leader in the computer
industry. Ranks number 19 on the Fortune 500 list with over $48 billion
in revenue. Website highlights four major options products and services,
drivers, support, and the HP store. Under products and
services is listed its wide variety of desktop PCs, mobile products, printers,
storage, networking tools and more. The HP store offers HP software
and HP logo merchandise. It also features a link to its primary
shopping site. Here computers, printers, digital photo products,
and home office products are available. The highlight is the "create
your own system" feature which allows users to customize their own computer
system.
Hewlett-Packard continues
to be the leader in the computer industry ahead of primary rivals Gateway
and Dell. After the merge with Compaq,
HP will look to stay in front of the pack. Gateway's main competition
is currently ranking well ahead of them in regards to revenues. Gateway
needs a new innovation to bring itself back to being one step ahead of
the industry. |
8. CNet.com-
http://www.cnet.com/
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this website is another technology based website offering a wide spectrum
of options to choose from. These subjects range from hardware and
software reviews to the latest prices on desktops, notebooks, cameras,
and more. Under software reviews they offer the top 5 selections
in business PCs, cheap PCs, home PCs, and leading edge PCs. The software
r eviews
focuses on operating systems, graphics, and business and productivity.
Cnet.com is a comprehensive look at everything imaginable related to technology.
The computer information is invaluable to consumers.
Under hardware reviews
on the left side of the website is a listing of all computer desktop brands
being reviewed. Gateway has a total of 19 desktop computers rated.
The Gateway 700XL was the only to receive an award, the Editor's
Choice Award. Gateway also has an advterisement on the website helping
consumers shop for the Gateway computer of their choice. |
| 9. Windows
XP Home Edition Homepage -
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/default.asp
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the website for Windows XP features a number of different options regarding
this new and exciting product from Microsoft. Under top stories is
a link to the top ten reasons to get Windows XP. These inlcude the
new Windows Messenger, the new simplified visual design, Windows Movie
Maker, My Pictures, and Internet Explorer 6. The site also has links
to features, how to articles, and news and reviews.
Microsoft Windows
XP is also featured on the Gateway homepage at the XP Info Center.
This version is available on Gateway computers for sale immediately through
the page. There are also classes available to consumers through the
page and at all Gateway Country stores. Other features include the
XP Help Center, XP installation, and XP technical help.
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| 10. Hoover's
Company Capsule - http://www.hoovers.com/co/capsule/6/0,2163,16706,00.html-
provides detailed information on the featured company chosen. Offers
links to the company profile, financial information, and news and analysis
stories. Gives users a snapshot of any firm and provides necessary
information for research and analysis on many firms.
Gateway has struggled in recent times with
the downturn in the computer industry. They responded to this by
cutting jobs, closing store locations, and possible pulling out direct
investment in foreign countries. |
Library Sources:
| 11. Lexis
Nexis
An online, searchable database featuring
thousands of publications to choose from. Sources to browse through
include the world's largest newspapers, magazines and journals, newsletters,
and many more. Keyword search feature allows easy navigation through
the site finding information on just the topic desired.
A. "Huge Gateway Plant for Sale at (pounds)
19.8 Million After Loss of 900 Jobs," The Irish Times, October 10,
2001.
The largest industrial complex to be built
in the last three years will shortly be closing its current operations.
The Gateway computer plant in Clonshaugh, Dublin will be offered for sale
following its decision to cut 900 jobs. The 330,000 square feet outnumbers
that of the previously largest 250,000 held by a Motorola plany in Swords,
Dublin.
B. "Victims of the PC War," The Advertiser,
September
29, 2001.
The always competitive computer industry
continues to be the place for ups and downs. The Hewlett-Packard
and Compaq merger is looking to wreak havoc on the computer industry causing
job cuts, disappearinc computer brands, and discontinued product lines.
Gateway is no exception to this thought. During the mid 90s, Gateway
moved into the Australian market, several weeks ago they announced they
will no longer sell computers there. Gateway is hoping to continue
service to the Asia-Pacific region, but in the market today they can not
know for sure. |
| 12. Business
and Industry
An online business
information database offering thousands of publication. Sources include
trade and business publications from over 190 countries around the world.
Provides articles with current news, facts, and events for businesses of
all kinds.
"Gateway Closes Canadian
Retail Outlets," DSN Retailing Today, May 01, 2001/
Due to a dramatic
decrease in sales, Gateway has decided to close its Canadian stores and
cut the 220 jobs provided. Gateway will continues to provide service
to Canada by offering sales by hpone order and over the internet.
The stores were opened in summer of 2000 in Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa,
Winnipeg, and Edmonton. |
| 13. ABI
/ Inform
Business information
database offering articles from leading business publications. Articles
coer topics such as business conditions, traends, corporate strategies,
and management technology. Electronic full text is available for
most articles.
Sampey, Kathleen,
"Compaq Costs FCB Nearly $100 mil. in Business," Adweek, 22 May
2000: 4.
FCB Worldwide, the
large advertising agency recently landed Compaq as a major account.
Since this two clients are now evaluating their accounts with FCB and may
be looking elsewhere. Gateway computers and Unisys Corp are both
in the process of reviewing their accounts. Gateway signed on with
FCB in April of 1999 and is unhappy with the landing of major rival Compaq
within the same firm. |
| 14. Business
and Management Practices
Searchable business information site containing
articles on management, business theory, business techniques, and case
studies. Over 700 publications are featured through this database.
Frook, John Evan, "Gateway is Using its
Consumer Presence at Retail Stores to Attract B-to-B customers," B to
B, 25 June 2001: 12.
Earlier this srping Gateway officially
began a 40 city tour linked to the Information Technology Exposition &
Conference (ITEC) series. Following this sessions, free seminars
are going to be offered at is local Gateway Country stores. Gateway
is continuing to focus on its strategy as an entry level computer company.
So far cities visited include Seatlle, Indianapolis, and St. Louis.
The only documented drawback of has been the inability to offer comparison
shopping. Seminar topics include e-commerce and networking services.
Gateway has tracked its expenses compared to the revnue generated but has
declined to comment on the success of the current program.
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| 15. Periodical
Abstracts
General online database offering a wide
variety of periodical publications. Subjects also span a wide spectrum
encompassing all major ressearch areas.
Vizard, Michael and Dan Neel, "Gateway
Readies Web site for Business Buyers," InfoWorld, 22 Nov 1999: 12.
Discusses Gateway's plans to launch a new
internet service to compete with Dell and Compaq. This new service
called E-source, will link customers to areas enabling them to order and
purchase computer systems. It also details Gateway's plan to staff
Gateway Country stores with business-to-business experts to assist in customer
service. While Gateway was the pioneer of selling over the internet
both Dell and Compaq have taken into to new heights and Gateway is attempting
to finally catch up. |
| 16. Newspaper
Abstracts
Comprehensive online database offering
abstracts to articles from all the major newspapers across the globe.
Iwata, Edward, "Officials Say Deceptive
Tech Advertising On Rise FTC Takes Issue With Claims by Several Well-known
Companies," USA Today, 29 May 2001: B1.
Gateway was advertising "free" internet
service while customers were getting charged $3.95 an hour to sue Gateway's
"toll-free" number to dial in. Gateway and Juno
Online Services settled with FTC the charges of deceptive advertising.
The FTC ordered that each firm reimburse some consumers for the hidden
costs. |
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