First of all, let us see exactly what technology companies are and what ICT companies can be considered. Technology companies are those that mainly produce hardware, Internet, telecommunications equipment, software, semiconductors, electronic commerce, and Computer Services. Information and communication technologies(ICT) have become a significant industry, both in our country and globally, led in many cases by telephone companies.
What are the most critical technology companies worldwide?
Forbes magazine develops an annual ranking with the most important technology companies in the world. In the 2018 list, we see a powerful presence of companies located in the United States, followed by Asian companies. Let’s look at the top 10:
- Apple
The well-known Apple doesn’t need to be presented just because who doesn’t know the most famous Apple in the world? Its headquarters are located at the spectacular Apple Park in Cupertino California, and its European offices are located in Ireland. With hardware products as popular as the iPhone, the Ipad, or the Apple Watch, Apple has earned this first place. In addition to technology company number 1, it is also the eighth on a global level.
- Samsung
At the time of purchasing a mobile phone, many doubt between iPhone and Samsung, and that is if Apple is in number 1, Samsung is following very closely in second place. Based in South Korea, this conglomerate of multinational companies was founded in 1969 and had no fewer than 93,200 employees worldwide. Their businesses range from consumer electronics, technology to finance and insurance.
- Microsoft
Another company that hardly needs presentation is Microsoft, one of the world’s most famous multinational technology companies. Founded in 1975 by Paul Allen and Bill Gates, it currently develops, manufactures, licenses and provides software support for computers, servers, electronic devices, and services. In addition to one of the most used operating systems, they have also developed the Xbox console.
- Alphabet
Even if the name Alphabet doesn’t ring a bell, if we tell you that its principal subsidiary is none other than Google, you may understand how it has earned this fourth place among the world’s leading technology companies. Its headquarters are located in Mountain View California and was founded in 2015. What do you do? To develop products and services related to the Internet, software, electronic devices, and other technologies.
- Intel
Intel, founded in 1968 and headquartered in Santa Clara, California, is the world’s largest integrated circuit manufacturer. In most personal computers we can find processors created precisely by this company, designed by Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore. A curious fact is that the name Intel was registered by a chain of hotels, so to use that name they had to buy him the rights.
- IBM
We are still in the United States, but this time we moved to New York, where we found the headquarters of the International Business Machines Corporation or, as we all know, IBM. In addition to manufacturing and marketing computer hardware and software, it also offers infrastructure services, internet hosting and Consulting in areas related to computer and technology. Founded in 1911, IBM is the result of the merger of four companies.
If to describe Apple leftover words, the same thing happens with Facebook. Although impressive, no one is surprised that in just 15 years he has won a spot among the top 10 technology companies in the world. Despite having started as a social network, to this day its products include Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp and Oculus, not bad considering that they are among the applications we use most to communicate today!
- Tencent Holdings
One of the least known companies we can find in Forbes ‘ ranking is Tencent Holdings, a Chinese company. It was founded in 1999 and offers services such as social networks, website portals, e-commerce, video game development and distribution, and instant messaging services, including WeChat, an application used in that country to do everything from paying in stores to talking to your friends.
- Hon Hai Precision Industry Co.
In the ninth place is repeated by an Asian company, in this case, Taiwan. Founded in 1974, the company is dedicated to the manufacture, assembly, and sale of computer and electronic equipment, such as iPhone, Ipad, Kindle, Playstation, Xbox and GoPro cameras. The reason you may never have heard of it is that it is better known as Foxconn, a name that can ring a bell for all the controversies it has been involved in, most of it because of the treatment of employees in China.
- Oracle
The tenth place on the list is for Oracle, a technology company based in Redwood City, California. Founded in 1977, Oracle offers software for companies and hardware services, as well as specialized in the development of cloud and local solutions. Less known perhaps than Apple to the general public, the truth is that Oracle is found in virtually every office of Fortune 100 companies and is present in many of the world’s industries.