Palmer was a founder of Mostek Corporation, founded in 1969 by former employees of Texas Instruments. Mostek manufactured logic, memory, and microprocessor chips. In 1980, United Technologies Corporation (UTC) acquired Mostek Corporation, and Palmer became executive vice president of semiconductor operations.
Digital Equipment Corporation
In 1985, Palmer joined Digital, and in 1992, he was appointed president and chief executive officer (CEO).[2][3]
From 1995 to 1998, Palmer served as chairman of the board until Digital was sold to Compaq.[4]
Digital Equipment Corporation restructuring
From 1993 to 1998, Palmer undertook numerous restructurings, massive layoffs of more than 60,000 people, and plant closings, in an effort to remain competitive.[5][6]
In 1995, Digital and Raytheon formed a multiyear, multimillion-dollar agreement to upgrade the onboard computer of the US Navy's E-2C Hawkeye aircraft.
On 30 August 1995, Digital announced the sale of their text terminals business to SunRiver Data Systems, who changed their name to Boundless Technologies in August 1996.
In 1997, Digital sold its printing systems business to Virginia-based GENICOM.
In 1997, Digital sued Intel, accusing it of using some of Digital's patented technology to develop the Pentiummicroprocessor. Intel countersued, accusing Digital of violating 14 Intel patents. To settle the litigation, Digital sold its semiconductor production operations to Intel in 1998.[7]
In 1997, Digital sold its networking business to Cabletron.
On 13 November 1997, Palmer announced that the corporate strategy would focus on the Internet in Enterprise Computing.[8]
Sale of Digital to Compaq
In June 1998, Compaq paid approximately $9 billion to acquire Digital, and Palmer stepped down after negotiating the merger.[9][10]