Companies and Places

Overview Choosing where to begin or continue your IT career involves many different considerations. What position is the right one for me? What IT companies offer their employees the best compensation and working environment? Where are the best places to live for people involved in the IT industry? The Internet contains many resources that will help you to answer these questions. A company’s profile, its corporate lifestyle, and its geographic location are just a few areas to consider when beginning or changing your career in the IT industry. 

IT Companies What are some of the major companies in the IT industry? Presently, five large computer manufacturers dominate the computer hardware industry. Apple, Compaq, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, and IBM account for approximately 40 percent of the industry’s sales volume. Large software companies include such heavyweights as Microsoft, Computer Associates, SAP, and Oracle. Big companies aren't the only places that offer great employment opportunities, though. Many job seekers prefer small "startups" or solid, mid-size organizations. Regardless of your preference, the following links are great places to research various companies and answer questions about corporate culture, specific opportunities, and other information of interest to prospective employees.

• jobsearch.about.com/library/weekly/aa013199.htm
• www.learnwebskills.com/company/
• http://www.job-hunt.org/index.html
• http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Companies/
  

IBM (www.IBM.com) is one of the largest companies in the world. It has been a major “player” since the advent of the IT industry. IBM is known for creating a wide range of computer hardware, including mainframes and personal computers. It also provides consulting services for e-businesses and large corporations. IBM currently employs over 426,000 people; ranging from computer engineers and programmers, to sales representatives and telephone support technicians. IBM’s total revenues for the fiscal year 2010 were over $99.9 billion.

Apple (www.apple.com) is an American multinational corporation that designs and markets consumer electronics, computer software, and personal computers. The company's best-known hardware products include the Macintosh line of computers, the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad. As of May 2010, Apple is one of the largest companies in the world and the most valuable technology company in the world, having surpassed Microsoft. Apple reported revenues of 65.2 billion for the fiscal year of 2010 and employs approximately 49,400 employees. Some of the jobs available at Apple are software design, product design and application enginnering, programming, marketing, business and project management, product support, and retail sales.

Microsoft (www.microsoft.com) is a giant in the world of computer software. Their product line includes all versions of Windows; the ubiquitous Microsoft Office products; and an assortment of additional products, such as programming languages, financial software, educational software, and games. Microsoft’s revenues were over $62.5 billion for the fiscal year 2010. Microsoft currently employs over 71,000 people in areas such as software design, programming, documentation, sales, marketing, and product support.

Hewlett-Packard, or HP (www.HP.com), is one of the largest computer hardware companies. They have a broad line of products, which includes servers, personal computers, and printers. HP employs approximately 321,000 people around the world. This company generated over $126 billion of revenue in 2010.

Dell (www.dell.com) is one of the largest manufactures of PC systems. Dell manufactures servers, desktop computers, data storage devices, network switches, software, notebook computers and computer peripherals. These products are sold directly to both individuals, and businesses. Dell also sells HDTVs, cameras, printers, MP3 players and other electronics built by other manufacturers. Dell’s focus is on sales through its Web site. Dell had had revenues of over $52.9 billion in 2010. They employ over 95,000 people worldwide. 

Intel (www.intel.com) and AMD (www.amd.com) are the largest manufacturers of microprocessors for PC systems. Intel manufactures the Pentium processors used in most personal computers. AMD manufactures the Athlon processors, which are used in many Windows-compatible PCs. In 2010, Intel had revenues of over $43 billion and employed more than 82,500 people. In the same year, AMD had revenues of over $6.5 billion and employed approximately 11,100 people.

Oracle Corporation (www.oracle.com) produces the Oracle Database, tools for database development, enterprise resource planning software, customer relationship management software, and supply chain software. Oracle has enlarged its share of the software market through organic growth and through a number of high-profile acquisitions. By 2007 Oracle had the third-largest software revenue, after Microsoft and IBM. In 2010, oracle reported revenues of over $26.8 billion and emloys approximately 105,000 employees.

Cisco (www.cisco.com) is the world leader in networking and Internet technologies. They reported revenues of $40 billion in 2010. Whenever you browse a Web page or send an e-mail message, your data probably will pass through Cisco routers along the way. Cisco employs more than 70,700 employees.

Although you might not be familiar with the name, Computer Associates (www.computerassociates.com) is one of the largest software companies in the world. Computer Associates, or CA, specializes in software for mainframe computer systems and e-business initiatives. In 2010, CA reported revenues of over $4.4 billion.