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? Redmond, Washington
The location of Microsoft's corporate headquarters
Facing the personal interview broadcast live on the CNN TV network on the huge TV screen, Vice President Stephen Ballmer waved his arms angrily and shouted;
"Bastard! This is a nasty little liar. He wants to steal success from Microsoft's pocket. We must be alert to this Red Hat company. He poses a great threat to us."
"But he is indeed excellent and has made remarkable achievements." Bill Gates commented quite pertinently.
Technical Director Satya sneered and said;
"Since they launched the linux operating system, it has been widely acclaimed in enterprise-level server applications. The key is that the linux operating system is authorized for free use, which poses a great threat to us.
Although Microsoft has occupied the mainstream of the operating system in the field of PC-side personal computers, the enterprise server market can and must not be ignored.
Now many European and American companies have changed their course under the temptation of free, which has a great impact on the company.
I have been following this company.
Today, they have launched a web browser product, which will greatly enhance the strength and valuation of Red Hat, and gain a firm foothold in Silicon Valley.
One day, it will grow into our strong opponent and form a dislocation competitive advantage for us. In the main battlefield of our operating system, it will continue to erode the foundation and must not be ignored. "
CEO Bill Gates thought about it and asked, "Can we bypass each other's patent barriers and develop our own browser products?"
"I'm afraid this is unrealistic. The most convenient way for browser software to crawl on the Internet has been registered as a patent by the 'Netscape Navigator' browser. The technical department has analyzed it. If we want to bypass the patent pool, it will take a geometric Multiple levels increase server costs and pressure.
After all, detours are always more time-consuming and laborious than straight lines. From the perspective of cost input, they are not competitive. "
Technical Director Satir shook his head helplessly. The United States is the country that attaches the most importance to intellectual property rights. Infringing intellectual property rights is tantamount to stealing. Once you go to court, you will lose.
"Then find out the opponent's weaknesses. Threats, pressures, mergers and acquisitions, and the temptation of huge money are all fine. I don't believe that this young man has no weaknesses. He always has what he wants. Go and spend money to investigate it. It doesn't matter how much money you spend. Can."
Bill Gates finally showed the demeanor of the big boss, and settled the tone with a wave of his big hand.
The "Netscape Navigator" browser launched by Red Hat has many unique technologies, and all of them have applied for individual patents, forming a complete set of patent pools.
It includes a powerful e-mail tool, and the world's leading instant messaging service, namely "aol express messenger" aim.
Netscape browser is a pure browser software that does not include mail client and web page editor, mainly including:
?Interface design, automatic correction of URL input, link notepad, plug-in extension, sidebar mini browser, instant restart function, customizable text box, tag memory, support opml, etc.
If you want to bypass such a patent pool, you can imagine what kind of huge price you will have to pay?
In this early summer of 1992, was Microsoft the hottest Internet company?
wrong.
It is the Red Hat company that made its debut. Its Netscape Navigator browser is popular all over the world. In just over a month, it has swept 2.3% of the server web browser software market. The huge market gap is waiting to be filled, and the market share rate is still increasing rapidly.
The third batch of 2 million software packages is on sale, and the fourth batch of 2 million software packages is ready to go.
In the first half of 1992, the total sales of personal computers in the world reached 15 million units. This huge market will be completely opened to the Netscape Navigator browser. There is no competitor, and this is the real reason why Silicon Valley is crazy about it.
Red Hat
In the office,
Huo Jiaguang and Mo Yuxuan were sitting on the sofa, when they saw Wang Yaocheng walking in quickly, they stood up quickly.
"Sit down, you two have worked hard flying around, any news from Fusang?"
Deputy General Manager Huo Jiaguang just flew back from Osaka, he shook his head;
"The Japanese side is very arrogant and unwilling to negotiate with us. The negotiations with Sing Tao have also reached a deadlock. The negotiating team of Sing Tao also knows that they are impatient, and they deliberately leave them alone, but basically there is no progress."
"Well, this is not an urgent matter, let's talk about it for a while.It's been normal for a year, and we're leaving them alone. These little books are a little too bloated, and they deserve to be taught a lesson. "
Encountering difficulties from the anchor on the CNN TV network, Wang Yaocheng was not as angry as he showed, but poured red wine for Huo Jiaguang leisurely, and handed a glass of red wine to Mr. Mo Yuxuan;
"Hehe! Boss, I was a little worried when I saw you so angry before."
"It's for outsiders to see, otherwise these bastards will think that I can handle it at will, and they will not respect my rights at all. There are traps everywhere in the topic. Future interviews must outline in advance. After review by the lawyer team to be interviewed."
"The boss handled this kind of public appearance very well. I have nothing to add."
Wang Yaocheng shook his head with a wry smile;
"But I have lost a lot of brain cells, so I won't mention these annoying things. Brother Yuxuan, you are here, and my pressure will be relieved a lot. I will rely on you to deal with these investment banks, because you are a professional."
"Boss, I think Netscape's listing is too hasty now. If we start listing a year later, we can produce more beautiful financial statements and win a better offer."
"Yeah, I also have the same opinion. The company's valuation may rise by 13 or more."
From the perspective of enterprise development, the suggestions of the two deputies are reasonable.
?Delaying the listing for one to two years and presenting beautiful financial statements, the valuation of Netscape may double, which is billions of dollars.
However, the focus of Wang Yaocheng's consideration is not here.
Netscape's glorious time will not exceed three years, because such an idea is too simple to realize, and the threshold is too low.
When the wolves join the market competition, this market will become unprofitable, not to mention that Microsoft, the overlord of desktop PCs, is eyeing them, and they will never let this market go.
Once the big killer that is free to use and bundled with the desktop operating system is launched, the Navigator browser has no resistance at all.
Consumers on the desktop PC have the IE browser bundled with the operating system, which has all the functions, why should they download the Navigator browser separately?
This is purely taking off your pants and farting, it's superfluous.
What's more, the Navigator browser is not free to use, but has to be purchased with money. Which consumer is willing to spend this wrongly?
Therefore, we must seize the time to make a wave of hot money in the listing circle, and then leave sufficient room for manipulation, and be ready to leave at any time.
There is no way to say these small calculations, which are related to the core secrets of business operations.
Wang Yaocheng spread his hands; "I also know the benefits of postponing the listing, but I'm short of money, so we should discuss how to maximize the value of Netscape, and the pace of listing as soon as possible remains unchanged."
"OK, you are the boss, you have the final say."
Deputy General Manager Mo Yuxuan took a look at Huo Jiaguang and asked; "The people I brought plus Manager Huo's team, there is no problem negotiating with the investment bank, but we need to know the bottom line of the boss."
"How much are they asking now?" Wang Yaocheng asked back.
"Through our contacts, Netscape's first round of IPO, Lehman Brothers offered 650 million US dollars, Sequoia Capital 700 million US dollars, Goldman Sachs 580 million US dollars, and Blackstone 720 million US dollars. These are the four highest. , the others are all below 500 million US dollars, and Citibank quoted 460 million US dollars."
Deputy General Manager Huo Jiaguang has been in contact with major investment banks and venture funds, so he knows the situation very well, and reported it immediately.
"In this way, we need friends the most now. These four companies are included in the scope of the first round of IPO negotiations, and all others are out.
This includes Citibank. Since he can't make a price, the business must be out of business.
You can tell these four investment banks that Netscape has only one round of IPO, and the listing process will start after the negotiations are completed.
According to expectations,
Netscape's sales in the second quarter of 1992 will reach 17 million US dollars, and it will be even higher in the third quarter. The company's bright prospects are beyond doubt, and it is the only profitable Internet company in Silicon Valley, with a solid and reliable profit point.
Netscape issued 100 million shares. My bottom line is to estimate the value at US$1 billion. This round of IPO sells 20% of the shares, the employee stock option pool is 2%, and Red Hat holds 78%. Let¡¯s talk about this bottom line first.
We have plenty of time, and the longer the negotiations drag on, the better for us. "
"Okay, boss."
In the original historical period
Netscape issued a total of 50 million shares at a listing price of US$28. On the first day of listing, it reached US$76 per share. The total market value reached US$3.8 billion, and the market value at its peak reached US$12 billion.
At that time, the biggest rival of Netscape browser;
It is the ie browser developed by Microsoft Corporation. The ie browser is the half brother of Netscape browser, and it is from the same family.
Originally derived from the mosaic browser developed by the National Supercomputer Application Center in Illinois, they all have the same mother.
?Through the National Supercomputer Application Center, Microsoft was able to authorize the development of the IE browser, and then use it through free bundling, completely defeating the Netscape browser and opening the era of free browser use.
Netscape was tortured to death and disappeared in the long river of history.
Today, this fatal hidden danger does not exist. The Navigator browser product under Red Hat is more mature, and has avoided the biggest defect of destruction, so its market value is naturally higher. (Remember the site URL: www.hlnovel.com)It raised $3.8 billion, and its market value reached $12 billion at its peak.
At that time, the biggest rival of Netscape browser;
It is the ie browser developed by Microsoft Corporation. The ie browser is the half brother of Netscape browser, and it is from the same family.
Originally derived from the mosaic browser developed by the National Supercomputer Application Center in Illinois, they all have the same mother.
?Through the National Supercomputer Application Center, Microsoft was able to authorize the development of the IE browser, and then use it through free bundling, completely defeating the Netscape browser and opening the era of free browser use.
Netscape was tortured to death and disappeared in the long river of history.
Today, this fatal hidden danger does not exist. The Navigator browser product under Red Hat is more mature, and has avoided the biggest defect of destruction, so its market value is naturally higher. (Remember the site URL: www.hlnovel.com