Apr. 28--Revenues at Unisys Corp., the technology company and a large suburban Philadelphia employer, fell in the first quarter on weak international sales and net losses widened modestly from the year-ago period.

First-quarter revenue was $1.1 billion, compared with $1.3 billion in the year-ago period. Losses deepened to to $24.4 million compared with $23.4 million.

Chairman and chief executive Ed Coleman said in a morning earnings conference call that the business environment was the most challenging in 30 years but that Blue Bell-based Unisys was making progress on a turnaround plan, which includes employee cutbacks (the company said in December said it would cut about 1,300 jobs, or 4.5 percent of its workforce) and expanding its low-cost workforce in the United States and overseas.

Coleman also said Unisys is trimming its top-management ranks and, according to its regulatory filing, has reduced its research and development budget in the last year.

Unisys cut operating expenses by about 24 percent in the last year and says it will cut them further in 2009, as well as reduce capital expenditures.

The company's new top management has focused its businesses on security, data center outsourcing, end-user outsourcing, and technology modernization.

Coleman was hired in October to replace Joseph W. McGrath, who resigned as Unisys president and CEO in September after a three-year tenure during which the Blue Bell computer systems and service company lost about $2 billion.

Unisys' stock fell below $1 a share this year but has rebounded in recent weeks. Analysts are concerned about the company's debt level.

Shares closed yesterday at $1.21, down 12 cents.

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