Unisys
Unisys Corporation is a global information technology company headquartered in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, in the Philadelphia suburbs. Formed in 1986 through the merger of Burroughs Corporation and Sperry Corporation, Unisys has a computing heritage dating back to the earliest days of the computer industry. Today, Unisys provides digital workplace solutions, cloud and infrastructure services, and enterprise computing*** to businesses and government agencies worldwide. While smaller than its peak during the mainframe era, Unisys remains an important Philadelphia-area technology employer with deep roots in American computing history.[1]
History
[edit | edit source]Computing Pioneers
[edit | edit source]Heritage companies: Unisys combines two computing pioneers:
- Burroughs Corporation (1886) - Adding machines, then computers
- Sperry Corporation (1910, UNIVAC heritage) - Early computers, UNIVAC
UNIVAC Heritage
[edit | edit source]Computing history:
- UNIVAC - First commercial computer
- Sperry Rand created UNIVAC
- Pioneering computing technology
- Government and business computers
Burroughs Heritage
[edit | edit source]Adding machines to computers:
- Founded 1886 (adding machines)
- Entered computer market
- Business computing
- Major mainframe manufacturer
Merger (1986)
[edit | edit source]Unisys formation:
- Burroughs acquired Sperry (1986)
- Unisys*** name created (United Information Systems)
- Largest computer merger at time
- Philadelphia-area headquarters
Mainframe Era
[edit | edit source]1980s-1990s:
- Major mainframe company
- Enterprise computing
- Government contracts
- Peak employment
Transformation
[edit | edit source]Evolution:
- Declined with mainframe market
- Transitioned to services
- Cloud and digital focus
- Smaller but stable
Business Segments
[edit | edit source]Digital Workplace Solutions
[edit | edit source]Modern services:
- End-user computing
- Collaboration services
- Security solutions
- IT support
Cloud and Infrastructure
[edit | edit source]Technology services:
- Cloud solutions
- Data center services
- Network services
- Managed services
Enterprise Computing
[edit | edit source]Legacy systems:
- ClearPath mainframes
- Enterprise servers
- Mission-critical computing
- Legacy modernization
Application Services
[edit | edit source]Software and apps:
- Application development
- Integration services
- Business applications
- Digital transformation
Government Business
[edit | edit source]Federal
[edit | edit source]U.S. government:
- Long-term government contractor
- Defense and civilian agencies
- Security clearances
- Critical systems
State and Local
[edit | edit source]Public sector:
- State government systems
- Transportation and DMV
- Law enforcement
- Public safety
International Government
[edit | edit source]Global:
- Foreign government clients
- Border security
- Public services
- National systems
Commercial Markets
[edit | edit source]Financial Services
[edit | edit source]Banking and insurance:
- Check processing
- Transaction systems
- Legacy systems
- Modernization
Transportation
[edit | edit source]Travel industry:
- Airline systems
- Cargo logistics
- Border services
- Transportation technology
Philadelphia Connection
[edit | edit source]Blue Bell Headquarters
[edit | edit source]Corporate base:
- Montgomery County
- Philadelphia suburbs
- Long-term presence
- Regional hub
Employment
[edit | edit source]Local impact:
- Headquarters staff
- Technology workers
- Government operations
- Career opportunities
Computing Heritage
[edit | edit source]History:
- Philadelphia-area computing history
- Burroughs presence historically
- Technology employment
- Regional tech identity
Competition
[edit | edit source]Industry Rivals
[edit | edit source]Competitors:
- IBM
- Accenture
- DXC Technology
- Major IT services firms
Market Position
[edit | edit source]Standing:
- Mid-tier IT services
- Government strength
- Niche mainframe
- Security expertise
Challenges
[edit | edit source]Market Evolution
[edit | edit source]Industry shifts:
- Cloud computing
- Declining mainframe
- Services commoditization
- Technology change
Competition
[edit | edit source]Pressures:
- Larger competitors
- Offshore competition
- Price pressure
- Market consolidation
Transformation
[edit | edit source]Requirements:
- Legacy to cloud
- Digital services
- Talent needs
- Investment requirements
Financial Performance
[edit | edit source]Revenue
[edit | edit source]Scale:
- $2+ billion annually
- Diversified by segment
- Government stable
- Commercial variable
History
[edit | edit source]Evolution:
- Much larger in past
- Contracted with mainframe decline
- Restructured multiple times
- Stabilized
Future
[edit | edit source]Strategy
[edit | edit source]Direction:
- Cloud and digital focus
- Security services
- Government business
- Managed services
Opportunities
[edit | edit source]Growth areas:
- Cloud migration services
- Cybersecurity
- Digital transformation
- Government modernization