Computers: Changing Channels At Zenith

When people hear the name Zenith, they usually think of television sets. But these days, Zenith is making a name for itself in computers. Last week the Glenview, Ill., company (1985 sales: $1.6 billion) struck pay dirt twice. First it scored a surprise victory over IBM and ten other firms, winning a $27 million contract to supply the Internal Revenue Service with some 15,000 portable Z-171 computers. Compact enough for users to hold on their laps, the Z-171s will be standard equipment for IRS field auditors. Three days later, Zenith landed a $242 million contract to supply the Pentagon with 90,000...