The aim of our second annual Client/Server Excellence awards, featured in a Special Report published in August 1996, was to illuminate the best technological, managerial and business practices of companies that are excelling with client/server systems.

HIGH ACHIEVERS Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. By Candee Wilde Link to archived story Diamond Shamrock, Inc. By Rosemary Cafasso Link to archived story HealthCare Compare Corp. By Cheryl Gerber Link to archived story State Street Bank & Trust Co. By Natalie Engler Link to archived story Talent Tree Staffing Services By Natalie Engler Link to archived story HONORABLE MENTIONS AT&T; By Bronwyn Fryer Link to archived story DaySpring Greeting Cards By Rosemary Cafasso Link to archived story Markel Corp. By Cheryl Gerber Link to archived story ReliaStar Financial Corp. By Cheryl Gerber Link to archived story PERSPECTIVE Getting IT 'Suppliers' to Work With IT 'Appliers' By Thornton May Link to archived story BACK PAGE If you could change one thing you have done with client/server technology, what would you change? Link to archived story

COVER STORY This year's award winners prove you can apply some science to the chaotic world of client/server. Many are delving into application testing, ROI studies, formal knowledge transfer programs and reusable, leveragable infrastructures. By Mary Brandel Link to archived story THE FAB FOUR AlliedSignal Technical Services Innovation and an engineering-like approach to software development are stand-out attributes of this $14 billion Fortune 500 firm. By Bronwyn Fryer Link to archived story Bank of Boston The $47.4 billion bank has set itself apart from the bank treasury crowd via an object-oriented global risk management system that lets traders see a trade's impact on execution. By Natalie Engler Link to archived story Sears, Roebuck and Co. Sears' comeback effort depends on sharp decision-making, and its 2,000-user Merchandise Information Warehouse System is helping Sears do just that. By Rosemary Cafasso Link to archived story The Vanguard Group Distributed computing is shaking the foundation of how Vanguard delivers services. Its online mutual fund system is lifting a significant burden from the toll-free call center. By Candee Wilde Link to archived story Ones to Watch Beamscope Canada, Inc. This Canadian electronics distributor grew from $93 million to $300 million, thanks to a client/server order processing and warehouse system. By Chris Staiti Link to archived story DreamWorks SKG The richest start-up ever has rolled out eight new client/server systems in 18 months. Apps such as its competitive tracking and analysis system could let the entertainment company leapfrog competitors. By Philip J. Gill Link to archived story

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