Eastman Software is born

After years of speculation, months of anticipation and weeks of negotiation, Eastman Kodak (Rochester, NY,

http://www.kodak.com) has completed the acquisition of Wang's (Billerica, MA, http://www.wang.com) software business. The $260 million sale includes products, technology, customers, partners, sales, marketing and research and development organizations. The new unit will serve as a separate subsidiary under Kodak's Business Imaging Systems organization, bearing the name Eastman Software.

Some analysts aren't impressed. "Eastman Software is a dumb name, especially when you consider that one of the world's most highly recognized brand names was available," said IDC's (Framingham, MA, http://www.idcresearch.ocm) Gerry Murray. "This was not the most stellar way to overcome the industry and market skepticism about Kodak's ability to make this work. But, if they are able to regain their momentum and put together another impressive string of quarters, the name game will fade away like a meaningless pre-season loss."

Kodak has acquired Wang Software's products, technologies, customers, partners, marketing and research organizations throughout the world. Wang has indicated it will use the sudden capital to focus on its network and desktop integration and services business.