The International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) was founded in 1911 by businessman Charles Ranlett Flint. The company provides a vast range of computer-based solutions, including hardware, middleware, software and a range of peripherals, in addition to consulting, application management services and global process services. The company is headquartered in Armonk, New York, and operates in over 170 countries. IBM is one of 30 companies included in the Dow Jones Industrial Average and enjoys a reputation as one of the world’s foundational firms behind the personal and business computing revolution. The company invented some core technologies, such as the automated teller machine (ATM), the floppy disk, and the hard disk drive. IBM performs an important research function and holds many thousands of patents. It is one of the world's largest employers, with over 282,000 employees reported as of 2022.