At the end of 1968, the results were not satisfactory in the technology and hardware design areas: the building blocks (SOMA) were too numerous and the CML was not ready to be used by the 1970 time frame.
John HAANSTRA was asked to take direct responsibility of Phoenix engineering to reorganize the GE655 --alias GE6000, project and Gene WHITE left the company.
Bull reconsidered the R530 project in a more conventional TTL technology as a System730 and the Italian acted similarly.
Phoenix MSD was disbanded and merged with LISD (the GE600 engineering group).
GE then hired a new manager with a more business background, Richard ("Dick") BLOCH from Honeywell. Dick was instructed to take a more business orientation for the new Product line and to prepare a grandiose plan on which GE could take a decision to "lose or win" the computer business. This plan was to be designed by the Shangri-La project.
It should be reminded that this period saw the first abandon of a computer manufacturer company: RCA retreated and sold its business to UNIVAC.