Portia Isaacson Bass, Ph.D. Portia is primarily engaged in scholarly research in mathematical and
empirical foundations of new information-technology (IT) product forecasting
(e.g., diffusion, technology, architecture, sales, prices). She is executive
director of Bass’s Basement, a not-for-profit (501c3) corporation, dedicated
to research and education concerning new-product sales forecasting. She is
also principal consultant of Bass Economics, Inc., which provides consulting on IT market
forecasting. Dr. Bass occasionally serves as an expert witness in computer,
telecom and semiconductor industry class action and patent infringement litigation. Dr. Bass was a pioneer in the personal computer industry. She co-founded
a computer store in 1976; built Future Computing Incorporated into the
personal computer industry's leading technology and market forecasting firm,
with over 160 employees, at the time it was acquired by McGraw-Hill. She, in
the report IBM's Billion Dollar Baby, correctly analyzed the impact of the
IBM PC and foretold the PC-compatible technology and market within days of
IBM's introduction; she accelerated IBM PC compatibility through Future
Computing's laboratory work with manufacturers, software companies, and
resellers; and created the first PC dealer tracking service, StoreBoard. She
introduced Compaq Computer Corporation’s founders to their venture capital
investors and was herself a founding investor. Starting in 1986, she served two years on Microsoft's Board of Directors.
During 1987-1988 she published Future Thinker, a newsletter that reviewed
published market research and business information in the computer,
telecommunications, semiconductor and office products industries. In 1989
she started the information service that became BIS Strategic Decisions'
Personal Computer Market Advisory Service. From 1989 through 1993, she
published Pen-Computing Reference Report. Since 1993 Dr. Bass has consulted
on IT product/component strategies (e.g., personal computers, notebooks,
handheld computers, wireless telephone, semiconductor devices, and Internet
appliances). As an entrepreneur, Dr. Bass has been featured in Wall Street Journal,
Venture, Business Week, Forbes, and USA Today as well as two books: Women,
Technology and Power: Ten Stars and the History They Made by Marguerite
Zientara and What Works for Me: 16 CEOs Talk About Their Careers and
Commitments by Thomas R. Horton. Dr. Bass holds a Ph.D., M.S., and M.A.S. in Computer Science (Computer
Architecture and Operating Systems) and a B.S. in Physics & Mathematics. Her
key past honorary positions include: ACM Council, IEEE Computer Society
Board, 1977 NCC Chairperson, and IEEE Computer Principal Technical Editor
and COMDEX Advisory Board. For additional information, see resume. Recent Publications and Presentations Published Papers Working Papers |