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Hub AI
Convergent Technologies AI simulator
(@Convergent Technologies_simulator)
Hub AI
Convergent Technologies AI simulator
(@Convergent Technologies_simulator)
Convergent Technologies
Convergent Technologies, Inc., was an American computer company formed by a small group of people who left Intel Corporation and Xerox PARC in 1979. Among the founders were CEO Allen Michels, VP Engineering Bob Garrow, head of marketing Kal Hubler, and operating system architect Ben Wegbreit. Convergent was primarily an OEM vendor with their computers resold by other manufacturers such as ADP, AT&T, Burroughs/Unisys, Four-Phase Systems, Gould Electronics, Mohawk Data Sciences, NCR, and Prime Computer. The company was purchased by Unisys in 1988.
The Distributed Systems division was responsible for the IWS, AWS, and NGEN computers. These were the first fully concurrent, networked office workstations, built on the latest version of Intel's 80x86 family of microprocessors. They featured a distributed, message-based operating system CTOS, originally released before the IBM PC and MS-DOS existed, more than half a decade before stand-alone personal computers evolved into networked workstations with multi-process operating systems such as OS/2.
In 1982, Convergent formed the Data Systems division to focus on a multi-processor computer known as the MegaFrame, "the first system upgradable from super-minicomputer to mainframe". The division was headed by Ben Wegbreit and also responsible for the MiniFrame. Steve Blank, in charge of division marketing, went on to found several Silicon Valley startups, including E.piphany, and as of 2012[update] lectures on technology startups at Stanford University and elsewhere; Jon Huie was in charge of Software; Richard Lowenthal was in charge of Hardware.
Convergent also formed the Advanced Information Products division, with Matt Sanders taking lead of the new division. He was tasked with developing a computer for the low-end market (price target $499). The "Ultra" team was assembled and their pioneering mobile computing product, the WorkSlate, released in November 1983.
The Special Projects division was responsible for the AT&T products.
Former Hewlett-Packard executive Paul C. Ely Jr. took over as CEO in January 1985. That year UnixWorld reported that Convergent was the "only supermicro supplier that has succeeded in moving its product through large-volume OEM channels", unlike competitors like Fortune Systems. The company giving equity stakes and manufacturing licenses to OEMs like Burroughs Corporation had encouraged such relationships. Its prices were so low as to be sometimes unprofitable, the magazine said.
Michels, Sanders, Wegbreit, and another executive left in October 1985 to form The Dana Group. Shortly after, Convergent purchased 40% of Baron Data Systems for $14.6 million. Then purchased the remainder of Baron in May 1987, for $33 million.
Convergent reached an agreement to acquire 3Com in March 1986, but the merger was called off at the last moment.
Convergent Technologies
Convergent Technologies, Inc., was an American computer company formed by a small group of people who left Intel Corporation and Xerox PARC in 1979. Among the founders were CEO Allen Michels, VP Engineering Bob Garrow, head of marketing Kal Hubler, and operating system architect Ben Wegbreit. Convergent was primarily an OEM vendor with their computers resold by other manufacturers such as ADP, AT&T, Burroughs/Unisys, Four-Phase Systems, Gould Electronics, Mohawk Data Sciences, NCR, and Prime Computer. The company was purchased by Unisys in 1988.
The Distributed Systems division was responsible for the IWS, AWS, and NGEN computers. These were the first fully concurrent, networked office workstations, built on the latest version of Intel's 80x86 family of microprocessors. They featured a distributed, message-based operating system CTOS, originally released before the IBM PC and MS-DOS existed, more than half a decade before stand-alone personal computers evolved into networked workstations with multi-process operating systems such as OS/2.
In 1982, Convergent formed the Data Systems division to focus on a multi-processor computer known as the MegaFrame, "the first system upgradable from super-minicomputer to mainframe". The division was headed by Ben Wegbreit and also responsible for the MiniFrame. Steve Blank, in charge of division marketing, went on to found several Silicon Valley startups, including E.piphany, and as of 2012[update] lectures on technology startups at Stanford University and elsewhere; Jon Huie was in charge of Software; Richard Lowenthal was in charge of Hardware.
Convergent also formed the Advanced Information Products division, with Matt Sanders taking lead of the new division. He was tasked with developing a computer for the low-end market (price target $499). The "Ultra" team was assembled and their pioneering mobile computing product, the WorkSlate, released in November 1983.
The Special Projects division was responsible for the AT&T products.
Former Hewlett-Packard executive Paul C. Ely Jr. took over as CEO in January 1985. That year UnixWorld reported that Convergent was the "only supermicro supplier that has succeeded in moving its product through large-volume OEM channels", unlike competitors like Fortune Systems. The company giving equity stakes and manufacturing licenses to OEMs like Burroughs Corporation had encouraged such relationships. Its prices were so low as to be sometimes unprofitable, the magazine said.
Michels, Sanders, Wegbreit, and another executive left in October 1985 to form The Dana Group. Shortly after, Convergent purchased 40% of Baron Data Systems for $14.6 million. Then purchased the remainder of Baron in May 1987, for $33 million.
Convergent reached an agreement to acquire 3Com in March 1986, but the merger was called off at the last moment.