History of Windows Server Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

History of Windows Server - Essay Example A better appreciation of the current server operating system is more possible if the earlier versions before 2003 are included in the appreciation of the Windows servers. The Windows server prototypes were the NT platforms which began with the release of Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1 in 1993 upgraded to Windows NT Server 3.5 in 1994, Windows Server 3.51 in 1995, Windows Server 4.0 in 1996, Windows NT Server 4.0 Enterprise Edition in 1997, Windows NT Server 4.0 Terminal Server Edition in 1998, and winds up with the Windows 2000 Server Platform (multiple editions) in 2000 where the NT part of the title was completely given up. A discussion of the early Windows server O/S is vital because they form the basis of the more modern versions. In addition, a complete historical perspective will give emphasis to the leaps and bounds by which the 21st Windows servers have progressed. Microsoft introduced its first server operating system with Windows NT version 3.1. This version is a 32-bit system that incorporated Win32 concepts that are MS DOS, Windows, OS/2 and POSIX compatible. It also provided a US Government C-2 security level protection as well as â€Å"portability to different microprocessor architectures, symmetric multiprocessing support, built-in networking capabilities and support for multilingual applications† (Allan p. 15/2). The NY system is usable in Intel microprocessors, MIPS workstations and the DEC Alpha architecture, needs 12 to 16 megabytes of memory to work and requires a 486 processor or better and more powerful microprocessors (Allan p. 15/2). The following year, version 3.5 came out in September, which upgraded the earlier version by reducing the hardware requirements and advancing reliability (Allan p. 15/3). This version was characterized by enhanced speed and greater connectivity to Novell and UNIX, two of Microsoft’s stiff competitors (Long 2008). It was however, version 3.51 that was considered the

Examine the stock returns for both Pfizer and AstraZeneca during the Essay

Examine the stock returns for both Pfizer and AstraZeneca during the bid process and provide possible reasons for changes in price on key dates - Essay Example 7.36). Comparing by the revenues, Pfizer is a larger company than AstraZeneca both the companies being products of the merger. Pfizer made four approaches earlier in 2014 terminating the bids in a full and final offer of 55 sterling pounds per share valuing AstraZeneca at 69 billion pounds (Battersby & Grimes 2014, p. 7.37). The current debt to equity ratio at Pfizer is at 0.49, a low and a below average industrial average. The low figure is an indication of good management of debt levels within the firm. Pfizer had a quick ratio of 2.03 demonstrating their capability to cover and settle short time liquidity needs. The gross profit of Pfizer during the bidding process span was a high figure of 85.18 percent with its net profit margin accounted at 22.92 percent. The net operating cash flow had a slight increase to $4,087 million, a figure equivalent to 6.71 percent comparable to the same quarter one year ago (US. Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare Report 2014, P.15). AstraZeneca rejected Pfizer’s final offer on grounds that the takeover may pose a risk to its pharmaceutical operations. In addition, the fear of the uncertainty that could arise led to the collapse of the bid process. It became hard for AstraZeneca to evaluate Pfizer’s final bid given the uncertainty over the total amount that Pfizer could trim off its tax bill by venturing in Britain. Pfizer offered a final bid of 69.4 billion sterling pounds, an equivalent amount to $ 117 billion terming the figures full and final. Lack of a proven parameter for evaluating a company with a growing and attractive growth prospects led to changes in prices on the final day. Pfizer failed to factor in AstraZeneca’s future prospects in terms of sales and market base. The concerns on whether Pfizer would eliminate jobs after the merger and diminish Britain’s standing in life sciences indicate the political influence