International Business Machines (IBM) (NYSE: IBM) is an American multinational technology and consulting firm headquartered in Armonk, New York. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas ranging frommainframe computers to nanotechnology.[2]
The company was founded in 1911 as the Computing Tabulating Recording Corporation through a merger of four companies: the Tabulating Machine Company, the International Time Recording Company, the Computing Scale Corporation, and the Bundy Manufacturing Company.[3][4] CTR adopted the name International Business Machines in 1924, using a name previously designated to CTR's subsidiary in Canada and later South America. Its distinctive culture and product branding has given it the nickname Big Blue.
In 2011, Fortune ranked IBM the 18th largest firm in the U.S.,[5] as well as the 7th most profitable.[6] Globally, the company was ranked the 33rd largest firm by Forbes for 2010.[7] Other rankings for 2010 include #1 company for leaders (Fortune), #2 best global brand (Interbrand), #3 green company (Newsweek), #15 most admired company (Fortune), and #18 most innovative company (Fast Company).[8] IBM employs almost 400,000 employees (sometimes referred to as "IBMers") in over 200 countries, with occupations including scientists, engineers, consultants, and sales professionals.[9]
IBM holds more patents than any other U.S.-based technology company and has nine research laboratories worldwide.[10] Its employees have garnered five Nobel Prizes, four Turing Awards, nine National Medals of Technology, and five National Medals of Science.[11] The company has undergone several organizational changes since its inception, acquiring companies like SPSS (2009) and PwC consulting (2002) and spinning off companies like Lexmark(1991).
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| Type | Public |
|---|---|
| Traded as | NYSE: IBM Dow Jones Industrial Average Component |
| Industry | Computer systems Computer hardware and software Information technology consulting IT service management |
| Founded | Endicott, New York June 16, 1911 |
| Headquarters | Armonk, New York, United States |
| Area served | Worldwide |
| Key people | Samuel J. Palmisano (Chairman, President and CEO) |
| Products | See products listing |
| Revenue |  US$ 99.870 billion (2010)[1] |
| Operating income | US$ 19.273 billion (2010)[1] |
| Net income | US$ 14.833 billion (2010)[1] |
| Total assets | US$ 113.452 billion (2010)[1] |
| Total equity | US$ 23.172 billion (2010)[1] |
| Employees | 426,751 (2010)[1] |
| Subsidiaries | |
| Website | IBM.com |
