I had a map and compass session planned at Westmoreland sanctuary and while driving to the designated point, I passed through Armonk. You might say - So?, but considering the fact that I am into tech by profession, and as any computer guy would politely point out to you, Armonk is the site for headquarters of one of the biggest and most powerful tech companies in human history. The venerable and incomparable, also known as Big Blue, International Business Machines aka IBM.

If you take into account the monumental size and phenomenal impact of IBM worldwide, the place where the HQs are based, Armonk, is quite a study in contrast. A small quaint village on the banks of picturesque Hudson river , it has a listed population of just 3,461 people as of the 2000 census!

Armonk is amazing and quite unique in that there are no national chain stores within the town itself. With the exception of two gas stations, a supermarket, and three banks, all of the businesses are locally owned and operated.

Read the full story

IBM had been on a full throttle drive to hire thousands of Indian engineering graduates when it hit heavy turbulence. Almost 700 newly recruited engineers have been fired by the American computer services behemoth when they failed to measure up to Big Blue’s standards. Read the full story

(Pic: A man supporting a tee with a slogan - 8 Billions Profit are not enough to preserve my job)

KOLKATA: Call it a better work ethic or business necessity caused by the rupee appreciating against the dollar. IT major IBM India has made some of its departments in Kolkata follow a six-day work week since October. The practice is likely to continue till December.

Sources said affected employees have not been given the explicit reasons for the changed work schedule except being vaguely informed that it is to counter the spate of holidays in the festive season and stoppages caused by bandhs. Rupee appreciation, however, was not mentioned as one of the reasons.

IBM, though, denied that there has been any deviation from its normal 5-day work week in any of its departments. “IBM India continues to have a five-days working policy. There is no change in company-wise policy,” a company spokesman said.

Read the full story