Former IBM Executives Linda Zider and Carl Caricari Join Platform
Solutions, Inc.
Brings key domain leadership to deliver Intel® based mainframe systems that
bridge to open systems computing environments
SUNNYVALE, Calif, April 27th, 2004- Platform Solutions, Inc. (PSI), a Plug
Compatible Manufacture (PCM) of mainframe systems based on Intel® technology
today announced the appointment of two new senior executives; Linda Zider as
Executive Vice President and Carl Caricari as Vice President of Engineering.
Both appointees bring extensive experience to PSI in the enterprise computing
sector; Linda Zider as Vice President and General Manager, Siebel Global
Financial Services organization; and Carl Caricari as Vice President of Product
Development, for IBM's Advanced Workstation Division.
"PSI is fortunate to have attracted such proven talent to our expanding
operations," said Michael Maulick, President and CEO, Platform Solutions. "Carl
Caricari had proven during his time at IBM and Burroughs that he could
consistently deliver new mainframe class products to market that exceeded
customer's expectations for functionality and quality. In addition, Carl's
experiences with startup's is great for PSI. Linda Zider's sales and marketing
leadership at IBM, Bank of America, and Seibel Systems will help PSI break into
targeted market segments and provide enterprise level relationship management
experience that's needed for the mainframe market."
"PSI believes that the need for innovative solutions for mainframe customers is
growing," stated Linda Zider, Executive Vice President. "What attracted me to
PSI was the intersection of three opportunities that have just recently come
together; 1) highly scalable and reliable open systems servers; 2) the lack of
alternatives for mainframe server customers; and 3) PSI's patented technology
that allows MVS to execute on open systems processors at mainframe class
performance levels. PSI's unique approach to mainframe server technology allows
MVS, UNIX, Windows, and Linux to all run on the same hardware helping our
customers derive benefits of server consolidation and improved systems
management."
For many years, analysts have predicted the downfall of the mainframe. Not only
was demand in 2003 for mainframe servers in excess of $3 billion annually, this
year's first quarter results have put mainframe sales growth on target to exceed
double digits for 2004. With the exit of Fujitsu/Amdahl and Hitachi Data Systems
from the OS/390 market a few years ago, PSI is uniquely positioned to provide
mainframe customers a viable alternative for these mainframe server purchases.
Biographies
Linda Zider
Prior to joining PSI, Ms. Zider was Vice President and General Manager, Siebel
Global Financial Services organization, which included responsibility for the
design, specification, development, quality assurance, testing, and product
management of Siebel's Financial Service eBusiness Applications. Ms. Zider grew
Seibel's Global Financial Services revenue over 100 percent 1999 to 2000 and
ended 2001 with over $700 MM. Ms. Zider served on the CRM boards for Societe
Generale, National Australia Bank and JPMorganChase. In addition, she was the
lead Siebel executive for business development in Asia.
Ms. Zider has over 20 years of experience in the Financial Services and
Technology industry. At Fleet Boston Financial she was Executive Vice President
of Institutional Sales and Marketing, Global Bank and headed the non-consumer
integration with BankBoston and Fleet.
Prior to Fleet Boston Financial, she spent six years at Bank of America as the
Managing Director and Executive Vice President of Marketing, Global Wholesale
Bank Marketing. In this role she was responsible for providing marketing
strategy and direction for the business units of this $8 billon (revenues)
organization.
Ms. Zider spent 15 years at IBM in a number of roles, including Business Unit
Executive focused on Marketing, Sales and Service with responsibility for
Finance, Securities and Computer Services accounts.
Carl Caricari
Prior to joining PSI, Mr. Caricari was a founder and CEO of System Fabric Works,
a software services firm specializing in high speed fabric computing. As Vice
President of Micro Components for Burroughs Corporation, Mr. Caricari led
efforts to consolidate operations and provide Burroughs with state of the art
components.
Mr. Caricari served as Vice President of Product Development with IBM. He was
the major force behind the introduction of RS 6000 and AIX 3.1 IBM's UNIX
operating system. He introduced these products growing IBM's workstation revenue
significantly in a short period.
In addition, Mr. Caricari managed the development of the Alliance between IBM,
Apple and Motorola for the development of Power PC chips, computers, and object
oriented programming languages. Earlier in his career with IBM, he was the
leader of the team that developed and introduced System 3090.
About Platform Solutions, Inc.
Platform Solutions, Inc., in conjunction with key business partners, is a
leading provider of systems for mainframe applications. Based on technology
spun-off from Fujitsu-Amdahl, PSI offers mainframe computing datacenters
alternative platform choice and the flexibility to bring together heterogeneous
systems under a single managed environment. Privately held, Platform Solutions,
Inc. is headquartered in Sunnyvale California.
PSI can be reached at www.platform-solutions.com.