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Convergent Technologies

Convergent Technologies, Inc. was an American computer hardware company founded in 1979 by a group of engineers who had previously worked at Intel Corporation and Xerox PARC.^[1]^[2] The firm specialized in developing and manufacturing advanced workstation systems, multi-processor servers, and operating systems, targeting both original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and end-user markets during the early personal computing era.^[1] Among its key innovations, Convergent Technologies introduced the NGEN workstation in 1982, an Intel 80186-based system that served as a platform for OEM partners like Burroughs (later rebranded as the B25) and supported the company's proprietary Convergent Technologies Operating System (CTOS), a multitasking OS designed for networked office environments.^[1] The company also developed the Integrated Workstation System (IWS), a tower-based Intel 8086 machine running CTOS, and the Advanced Workstation System (AWS), a more affordable desktop variant, both emphasizing integrated hardware-software solutions for business applications.^[1] In parallel, Convergent pursued Unix-based systems, releasing the MegaFrame in 1983—a multi-processor setup using Motorola 68010 CPUs and CTIX (a derivative of UNIX System V)^[3]—which became the first OEM Motorola-based Unix product licensed by AT&T and featured early support for international character sets.^[1] Further expanding its portfolio, the company produced the MiniFrame and MightyFrame lines in the mid-1980s, incorporating Motorola 68020 and 68040 processors with CTIX for high-performance computing tasks, alongside niche products like the WorkSlate, a 1983 portable computer with a built-in spreadsheet and cassette storage.^[1] By the late 1980s, Convergent had grown into a significant player in networked computing, with CTOS powering over 800,000 installations worldwide and serving major clients including Unisys.^[2] However, facing intense competition in the PC market, the company agreed to a merger with 3Com in 1986 that ultimately fell through, leading to its acquisition by Unisys Corporation in 1988 for approximately $350 million in cash and stock.^[4]^[5] Following the buyout, Convergent Technologies operated as Unisys' Network Systems Division until its technologies were integrated or phased out in the early 1990s.^[1]

Company Overview

Founding and Key Personnel

Convergent Technologies was founded in August 1979 in Santa Clara, California, by a group of engineers seeking to create advanced integrated workstations. The key founders included Allen Michels, who served as the initial president and CEO; Bob Garrow, who became vice president of software; Kal Hubler, head of marketing; and Ben Wegbreit, the operating system architect and vice president of engineering. These individuals brought expertise from leading technology institutions: Garrow had worked at Intel Corporation since the early 1970s, contributing to microprocessor development systems like the 4004 and Multibus, while Michels had sales experience at Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) and later at Intel; Wegbreit and other early hires, such as Jay Spitzen, came from Xerox PARC's advanced systems division.^[6] The founders' motivations stemmed from frustrations with the limitations of their prior roles and a vision for converging hardware, operating systems, and networking in personal computing. At Intel, Garrow and Michels were constrained from pursuing general-purpose computing applications. Inspired by Xerox PARC's Alto workstation—which demonstrated innovative graphical interfaces and networked computing—and their own microprocessor knowledge from Intel, the team aimed to build complete, user-ready systems rather than just components. This approach addressed customer demands for enclosed hardware with integrated software, shifting from initial plans for single-board computers targeted at original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).^[6]^[7] Initial funding came from a $12.5 million Series A round secured shortly after incorporation, provided by angel investors including Dick Riordan, John A. Freidenrich (a partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers), and Bill Rolnick. This capital enabled the assembly of a small engineering team of 35-40 people and supported the development of the company's first products. Kleiner Perkins had offered up to $10 million in early discussions, reflecting strong investor confidence in the founders' track record, though the company initially pursued a more modest angel-led structure.^[6]^[7]

Business Focus and Market Entry

Convergent Technologies adopted a strategic focus on developing integrated desktop workstations designed for office automation and engineering tasks, entering the market during the early 1980s boom in personal computing and networked systems. The company targeted professional environments requiring high-performance computing for tasks such as data processing, word processing, and technical design, positioning its offerings as reliable alternatives in a landscape dominated by emerging competitors like Apollo Computer and Sun Microsystems. This approach capitalized on the growing demand for affordable, powerful workstations that bridged the gap between mainframes and personal computers.^[8] To achieve rapid market penetration without building its own extensive sales infrastructure, Convergent prioritized original equipment manufacturer (OEM) sales over direct consumer distribution. It supplied hardware systems to established computer giants, including Burroughs, NCR, and Perkin-Elmer, which integrated and resold the products under their own brands for applications in word processing, data management, and manufacturing. This OEM model enabled Convergent to leverage the partners' robust distribution networks and customer bases, facilitating quicker entry into enterprise markets while minimizing upfront marketing costs. By 1981, these partnerships had contributed to $10 million in sales over its first two years, marking an unusually swift ramp-up for a startup founded just two years prior.^[9] The company's initial revenue model centered on bundling hardware components—such as processors, video displays, keyboards, and storage—with its proprietary software to deliver turnkey solutions tailored for business and technical users. A significant portion of early revenues came from clients in the manufacturing sector, reflecting Convergent's emphasis on applications supporting industrial automation and design workflows. Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, in the heart of Silicon Valley, the firm benefited from the region's talent pool and innovation ecosystem, drawing on the founders' prior experience at Intel and Xerox PARC to refine its commercial strategy.^[9]^[10]

Technological Foundations

Convergent Technologies Operating System (CTOS)

The Convergent Technologies Operating System (CTOS) was developed starting in 1979 as a multi-tasking, multi-user operating system tailored for Intel 8086-based architectures, drawing influences from Xerox's Mesa system for its modular design and Intel's iRMX for real-time capabilities.^[11] This foundation enabled CTOS to support efficient resource sharing across multiple processes and users on early microcomputer workstations.^[11] Key features of CTOS included bit-mapped graphics for advanced visual interfaces, built-in Ethernet networking for seamless connectivity, a hierarchical file system with directories supporting 512-byte sectors and multi-level access controls, and compatibility with CP/M applications to leverage existing software ecosystems.^[11]^[12] The system's message-based interprocess communication facilitated modular development, allowing applications to interact reliably in a networked environment.^[12] For instance, CTOS powered the initial Integrated Workstation System (IWS) with these capabilities integrated from launch.^[11] CTOS evolved through versions, beginning with 1.0 in 1980 for early deployments and reaching 1.2 by 1983, which introduced enhanced multi-processing support and was licensed to numerous original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), including AT&T and Olivetti.^[11] At its core, the OS featured a preemptive multitasking kernel with event-driven priority scheduling, accommodating up to 16 concurrent users.^[11]^[12] This progression solidified CTOS as a robust platform for enterprise computing in the early 1980s.^[11] For Unix-like functionality on Motorola-based systems, Convergent developed CTIX, a derivative of Unix System III.^[1]

Hardware Design Principles

Convergent Technologies' hardware designs initially centered on the Intel 8086 and 8088 processors, which provided a 16-bit architecture suitable for early workstation applications, emphasizing an open architecture that facilitated user upgrades through standardized interfaces.^[13] Later designs transitioned to the Motorola 68000 series, including the 68010 and subsequent models, to leverage 32-bit internal processing for enhanced performance in multi-user environments while maintaining compatibility with existing peripherals.^[14] This evolution reflected a core philosophy of processor-agnostic modularity, allowing systems to adapt to advancing semiconductor technology without full redesigns, though operating systems varied (CTOS for Intel, CTIX for Motorola). Key innovations included bit-mapped displays supporting resolutions such as 660x512 pixels in early models like the IWS, with later systems reaching up to 1024x768 pixels, enabling high-fidelity graphical interfaces that were advanced for the era and supported applications requiring precise visual rendering.^[15]^[13] Integrated Ethernet connectivity was a standard feature in expansion modules, promoting seamless networked operations and distributed computing from the outset.^[13] Modular chassis designs utilized bus architectures like the X-Bus for interconnecting components, permitting field-installable expansions such as additional memory or I/O boards via zero-insertion-force connectors, which simplified maintenance and upgrades.^[13] Scalability principles extended from single-user workstations to multi-processor configurations, incorporating asymmetric multiprocessing in systems like the MegaFrame to distribute workloads across specialized processors sharing common memory and I/O resources, thereby supporting larger-scale enterprise deployments.^[16] This approach allowed systems to grow incrementally, from basic setups to clustered environments handling multiple concurrent users. Engineering challenges involved balancing cost with performance, addressed through optimized component designs that improved efficiency.^[13]^[14] These designs mitigated supply chain delays in standard components and optimized power distribution, such as using regulated DC supplies to minimize heat and enhance reliability.^[14] The CTOS operating system provided foundational support for Intel-based hardware features, while CTIX enabled similar abstractions for Motorola variants.^[13]

Historical Development

Early Growth (1979–1982)

Convergent Technologies launched its first product, the Integrated Workstation (IWS), in 1980, a tower-based system powered by the Intel 8086 microprocessor and running the company's proprietary Convergent Technologies Operating System (CTOS).^[1] Shipments of the IWS began in October 1980, targeting professional and small business users with features such as 15-inch displays, 0.5 MB floppy drives, 10 MB hard disks, and Multibus expansion slots for customization.^[17] By late 1981, the IWS had generated $10 million in sales, demonstrating early market traction in the emerging workstation segment.^[9] The company's initial success attracted significant venture capital, with $4 million raised in the fall of 1980 from firms including Hambrecht & Quist and Cable & Howse Ventures.^[9] In 1981, Convergent secured an additional $8.3 million from 11 investors, bringing total Series B funding to approximately $12 million and enabling operational scaling.^[9] This influx supported the establishment of high-volume manufacturing facilities in Silicon Valley, California, where the company was headquartered in Santa Clara.^[18] By October 1981, Convergent achieved its first profitable month, bolstered by $350 million in orders from major computer manufacturers seeking OEM workstation components.^[9] A pivotal milestone came in September 1981 with an OEM agreement with Burroughs Corporation, committing to supply 10,000 workstations and positioning Convergent as a key supplier in the OEM market.^[18] Burroughs alone represented 48% of Convergent's total revenue in 1982.^[18] The company experienced rapid workforce expansion to meet demand, shipping 4,486 IWS units in 1982 and reaching estimated annual revenues of around $50 million by year's end, according to contemporary trade analyses.^[17]^[19]

Expansion and Challenges (1983–1986)

During 1983, Convergent Technologies expanded its product lineup with the introduction of the MegaFrame, a scalable multi-processor system designed for shared computing environments, which became available starting in August of that year.^[10] Concurrently, the company launched the NGEN series of advanced workstations, targeting engineering and scientific applications, as outlined in its March 1983 prospectus.^[18] These developments, building on the firm's core workstation architecture, drove substantial growth; revenues surged to $246.3 million for the first nine months of 1984 alone, up from $118.1 million in the comparable period of 1983, reflecting the increasing adoption of Convergent's multi-user systems in enterprise settings.^[20] Full-year 1984 revenues reached $361.8 million, a 121% increase from the prior year, underscoring the company's rapid scaling amid the burgeoning workstation market.^[21] To fuel further diversification, Convergent pursued strategic investments and financing. In 1983, the firm executed its second public stock offering, providing capital to support product development and market expansion during a period of intense industry growth. This was followed in 1985 by the acquisition of a 40% stake in Baron Data Systems for $14.6 million, aimed at bolstering Convergent's entry into database management software and enhancing its offerings for data-intensive applications.^[22] However, these efforts coincided with emerging hurdles, including a failed merger attempt with 3Com Corporation in March 1986, which collapsed just days before the shareholder vote due to disputes over valuation and concerns that the deal would not gain approval.^[23]^[24] The mid-1980s also brought significant competitive pressures that tested Convergent's position. Rivals such as Sun Microsystems and Apollo Computer intensified market rivalry in the high-performance workstation segment, sparking price wars that eroded margins and forced Convergent to adjust pricing strategies to maintain competitiveness.^[25] The 1983 public offering, while initially successful in raising funds, was soon overshadowed by stock market volatility, with shares experiencing sharp fluctuations amid broader sector uncertainties and the company's own operational challenges. These factors contributed to a slowdown in momentum, setting the stage for internal restructuring as Convergent navigated the turbulent landscape of the computing industry.

Acquisition and Dissolution (1987–1988)

In early 1987, Convergent Technologies acquired the remaining shares of Baron Data Systems for approximately $31.8 million, following an initial 40% stake purchase the previous year, to enhance its software development capabilities and expand its product ecosystem.^[26] This move was intended to integrate Baron's expertise in database and application software with Convergent's hardware platforms, supporting ongoing efforts to diversify beyond OEM workstation sales. However, the acquisition occurred amid mounting financial pressures, as the company reported a first-quarter loss of $11.5 million in April 1987, driven by lower operating margins, elevated research and development costs, and delays in new product launches.^[27] The company's revenues for 1987 totaled $385 million, but profitability eroded due to intensifying competition and a broader industry transition toward reduced instruction set computing (RISC) architectures, which offered superior performance and efficiency compared to Convergent's reliance on complex instruction set computing (CISC)-based processors, such as the Motorola 68000 series.^[28] This market shift disadvantaged Convergent's NGEN and MegaFrame systems, particularly as rivals like Sun Microsystems advanced RISC-based UNIX workstations. In response to these challenges, Convergent implemented cost-reduction measures, including layoffs affecting 26% of its workforce in 1986, as part of a broader restructuring to stem losses exceeding $40 million for the year.^[29] By mid-1988, ongoing unprofitability—evidenced by a $2.1 million loss on $199 million in sales for the first half of the year—prompted Convergent to seek strategic alternatives.^[30] On August 10, 1988, Unisys Corporation announced its acquisition of Convergent for $350 million, consisting of $157.5 million in cash (45%) and the remainder in Unisys common stock valued at $7 per share.^[4] The deal, completed later that year, integrated Convergent's operations into Unisys as the Network Systems Division, focusing on distributed computing and UNIX-based solutions. Convergent's brand was gradually phased out by 1990, with its technologies and assets fully absorbed into Unisys's broader computing portfolio.^[31]

Product Portfolio

Desktop Workstations (IWS and AWS)

The Integrated Workstation (IWS), launched by Convergent Technologies in 1980, marked the company's debut product as a tower-style system targeted at professional and office environments. It utilized a 5 MHz Intel 8086 microprocessor, 256 KB to 640 KB of RAM, a 10 MB Winchester hard drive, and a monochrome bit-mapped display capable of 80 columns by 34 lines. Priced around $10,000, the IWS emphasized reliability and integration, running on the proprietary Convergent Technologies Operating System (CTOS) for multi-tasking and file management.^[32] In 1981, Convergent introduced the Application Workstation (AWS) as a more affordable desktop variant of the IWS, reducing costs through design simplifications while maintaining core functionality. The AWS employed a 4.77 MHz Intel 8088 processor, starting with 256 KB of RAM expandable to 512 KB, and supported optional color graphics via an NEC 7220 controller with 128 KB display memory. Base models included a 5 MB to 10 MB hard drive and a 630 KB floppy drive, with pricing starting at about $5,000 to broaden market accessibility. By 1983, over 10,000 AWS units had been sold, largely through OEM channels.^[32]^[18] These workstations received acclaim for their innovative networking features, supporting cluster configurations of up to 16 units for shared resources like storage and peripherals via CT-NET, which enhanced productivity in distributed office settings. However, critics highlighted their elevated pricing compared to emerging 8-bit personal computers, limiting direct consumer adoption. The IWS and AWS proved instrumental in forging key OEM relationships, notably with Burroughs, which rebranded them as the B20/B21 series and committed to acquiring 10,000 systems by the end of 1983, underscoring Convergent's strategy of supplying customizable hardware to larger vendors.^[33]^[18]^[32]

Modular and Multi-Processor Systems (NGEN, MegaFrame, MiniFrame, MightyFrame)

Convergent Technologies advanced its product line in the early 1980s by developing modular systems that emphasized scalability and multi-processor architectures, targeting engineering, business, and multi-user environments. These systems built on the company's hardware design principles of expandability and fault tolerance, allowing configurations from single-user workstations to large-scale clusters supporting dozens of users. The NGEN, introduced in 1983, marked the entry into modular chassis designs, while subsequent products like the MegaFrame, MiniFrame, and MightyFrame extended capabilities toward higher performance and 32-bit processing. The NGEN, launched in 1983, featured a modular chassis based on 16-bit Intel microprocessors, such as the 8086 or later 80186 variants operating at 5-8 MHz.^[34] It supported up to 512 KB of base RAM, expandable through additional modules, and storage options reaching 20 MB via Winchester disk drives, making it suitable for engineering workstations requiring reliable, upgradable compute power.^[35] The design allowed clustering of multiple NGEN units for distributed processing, though each chassis typically housed a single primary processor with provisions for I/O and memory expansion boards.^[36] In the same year, Convergent introduced the MegaFrame, a high-end multi-processor system designed for multi-user environments and serving as a major revenue source with units priced over $100,000. It employed up to 36 independent processors from the Motorola MC68000 family, primarily 10 MHz MC68010 application processors, alongside dedicated file and terminal processors using Intel 186 chips.^[37] Memory configuration included 512 KB to 4 MB per application processor node with error-correcting code (ECC), scaling to a total of 28 MB across the system, while storage supported up to 1.5 GB using multiple Winchester drives (50-145 MB each).^[37] The architecture utilized a 32-bit asynchronous backplane for interconnecting processors in up to six enclosures, enabling scalability from 8 to 128 users through modular addition of boards and cabinets, thus providing mainframe-like performance in a distributed setup.^[37] The MiniFrame, released in 1984, served as a more compact, single-processor counterpart to the MegaFrame, facilitating a transition to 32-bit computing for smaller-scale deployments. It centered on a 10 MHz Motorola 68010 CPU with integrated memory management, offering 512 KB base RAM expandable to 2 MB via up to three additional memory boards.^[14] Storage options included 5.25-inch floppy drives and Winchester disks up to 37 MB formatted capacity, with I/O expandability through a communications board supporting Ethernet or serial ports.^[14] This tightly coupled design shared architectural compatibility with the MegaFrame, allowing seamless migration of applications and positioning it as an affordable entry for Unix-compatible multi-user business and development tasks.^[14]^[1] By 1986, the MightyFrame emerged as an enhanced evolution of the MegaFrame, incorporating Motorola 68020 processors at speeds up to 16.67 MHz for improved symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) support and VMEbus architecture.^[38] It offered base configurations with 4-8 MB RAM per node, expandable through multiple CPU and memory boards to support larger clusters, alongside storage via SCSI and SMD interfaces for capacities exceeding those of prior systems.^[1] Later variants integrated 68040 processors for further performance gains.^[1] Production remained limited due to shifting market dynamics toward standardized PCs and RISC architectures, though it represented Convergent's push toward high-end, scalable computing before the company's acquisition.^[39]

Portable and OEM Devices (WorkSlate, AT&T Products, Server PC)

Convergent Technologies ventured into portable computing with the WorkSlate, introduced in November 1983 as a lightweight, battery-powered device targeted at mobile professionals for spreadsheet and basic data processing tasks. Measuring 8.5 by 11 by 1 inches and weighing under 3.5 pounds, it featured a Hitachi 6303 8-bit CPU (a CMOS variant of the Motorola 6800 running at 0.95 MHz), 16 KB of RAM, 64 KB of ROM, and a 16-by-46 character monochrome LCD display. The proprietary operating system included built-in financial software adapted from VisiCalc, with data storage via a microcassette drive, and it was initially sold exclusively through the American Express catalog for $895. Production was paused in July 1984 and fully discontinued later that year due to low demand and technical limitations, with only about 5,000 units sold in the United States and a few hundred in Europe.^[40]^[41]^[42] In collaboration with AT&T, Convergent developed OEM products to extend Unix capabilities into business environments, beginning with the AT&T UNIX PC (also known as the 7300 or 3B1), released in March 1985. This desktop system, an adaptation of Convergent's MiniFrame architecture, utilized a 10 MHz Motorola 68010 CPU, 512 KB of base RAM (expandable to 2 MB), a 12-inch monochrome display supporting 80-by-29 text characters, and ran Unix System V Release 2 with an early graphical user interface. Priced at around $5,095 for the base model, it included built-in applications like a spreadsheet and word processor, and supported expansion via slots for networking and peripherals. Marketed for small businesses and technical users, the UNIX PC achieved moderate adoption but faced competition from IBM PCs and was discontinued by 1987 amid sluggish sales.^[43]^[44] AT&T's OEM partnership with Convergent continued with the Personal Terminal 510, launched in 1986 as a low-cost, multifunctional office device. Equipped with a Zilog Z80A CPU, a 9-inch green phosphor CRT display, touch-sensitive screen for menu navigation, integrated speakerphone, handset, and optional detachable keyboard, it functioned as a voice/data terminal emulating VT100 standards over RS-232C interfaces.^[45] Designed for shared office use in networked environments, it supported basic computing tasks like directory access and simple applications without requiring a full workstation. The terminal emphasized affordability and integration with AT&T's communication systems but saw limited deployment due to the evolving PC market.^[46] Toward the end of its independent operations, Convergent introduced the Server PC in 1987, a rack-mountable network file server aimed at supporting distributed computing environments. Powered by a 20 MHz Intel 80386 CPU and running CTIX/386 (based on Unix System V Release 3), it was engineered to handle up to 64 client microcomputers with shared storage and processing resources. This short-lived product, developed amid Convergent's financial pressures leading to its 1988 acquisition by Unisys, represented an attempt to enter the growing server market but was overshadowed by more established Unix systems from competitors.^[47]

Legacy and Impact

Post-Acquisition Integration

Following the acquisition of Convergent Technologies by Unisys in August 1988 for approximately $350 million, the company's operations were reorganized into Unisys' Network Systems Division, based in San Jose, California. This division focused primarily on developing and supporting systems based on the Convergent Technologies Operating System (CTOS), a modular, message-passing operating system originally developed by Convergent for multi-processor environments.^[1]^[48] Unisys continued production of Convergent's NGEN workstation derivatives, rebranded as part of the B-series (such as the B25), which ran CTOS on Intel x86 processors. These systems remained in active support and marketing through at least 1990, with Unisys promoting CTOS as a cost-effective option for networked Intel-based workstations and clusters. Documentation from Unisys in the early 1990s highlighted compatibility matrices for NGEN-derived hardware, including network and peripheral integrations, indicating ongoing enhancements rather than immediate discontinuation.^[48]^[49] The integration brought Convergent's existing order backlog and product lines into Unisys, contributing to the acquirer's diversification into distributed computing. However, Convergent had reported a net loss of $2.1 million on $199 million in sales for the first half of 1988, reflecting pre-acquisition challenges in a market shifting toward PC-based client-server architectures. Unisys anticipated no material impact on its 1989 earnings from the deal, allowing for a measured merger of technologies without short-term financial disruption.^[30]^[4] CTOS support under Unisys continued into the early 1990s but was eventually phased out as the company focused on other platforms; as of 2025, CTOS is no longer actively supported.^[11]

Influence on the Computing Industry

Convergent Technologies pioneered the OEM model for workstations by supplying core hardware and the CTOS operating system to partners like AT&T and Burroughs, enabling them to bundle and market customized systems for business and engineering applications. This approach expanded access to advanced computing in the early 1980s, influencing the structure of the workstation market and paving the way for the Unix workstation boom, as seen in Convergent's development of the Unix PC for AT&T, which introduced affordable Unix desktops despite modest sales.^[50]^[51] The CTOS operating system, a modular, message-passing multiprocess environment for Intel x86 hardware, left a legacy in enterprise computing after Convergent's 1988 acquisition by Unisys, where it was used in networked environments compatible with later Unisys systems like ClearPath for high-reliability transaction processing.^[11] The WorkSlate, released in 1983, represented an early vision of portable computing with its 6-inch LCD, integrated spreadsheet applications, and battery-powered design, anticipating tablet computers by nearly three decades before the iPad's debut in 2010. This handheld device, weighing under 4 pounds and using microcassette storage, targeted business users for on-the-go data entry and calculation, highlighting Convergent's foresight in mobile form factors despite limited commercial success due to its specialized software ecosystem. Similarly, Convergent's modular designs in the NGEN family and MegaFrame systems, featuring interchangeable processor boards and cluster architectures for up to 16 users, prefigured modern server scalability by enabling resource sharing and high-throughput configurations in multi-processor environments. These innovations emphasized expandability and fault tolerance, concepts central to today's rack-mounted and cloud-based servers.^[52]^[34]^[33] Convergent's corporate culture had a lasting cultural impact on Silicon Valley, as recounted by early employee Steve Blank, who described it as the "Marine Corps of Silicon Valley" for its intense, no-excuses work ethic, rituals like all-hands meetings, and emphasis on collective problem-solving, experiences that shaped his later teachings on startup dynamics and lean methodologies. Following the 1988 acquisition, Convergent's technology was transferred to Unisys's Network Computing Group, ensuring the longevity of its contributions in enterprise reliability, bridging legacy mainframe paradigms with modern computing needs.^[53]

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The screen must be a flicker free bit-mapped display refreshed at least 50 times per second. The exact dimensions and display capabilities of the display are.<|control11|><|separator|>
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[31]
A Distributed Workstation Architecture: The Convergent Cluster
... Convergent,Technologies,With,the,release,of,the,N,Gen,line,of,modular ... Perkin-Elmer,Corporation's,Data,Systems,Group,(formerly,Interdata,,Inc.).,He ...
[32]
[PDF] CONVERGENT TECHNOLOGIES - NGEN™ Family Overview
All hardware expansions are field installable, by non- technical personnel; the ... CONVERGENT TECHNOLOGIES, CONVERGENT, CTOS, DISTRIX, AWS, IWS, NGEN ...
[33]
Convergent Technologies AWS NGEN Workstation
The NGEN was known to Burroughs users as the B25, to Prime as the "Prime Producer 200", and was included the Intel 80186 CPU chip. Our Modules are as follows: ...
[34]
Convergent Technologies NGEN - Video, Keyboard, and a small Fire!
Mar 14, 2020 · ... Convergent Technologies NGEN computer. This is a fairly unique computer manufactured back in the 80s. It has a modular architecture, a 80186 CPU ...
[35]
[PDF] 'MegaFrame' aims at mainframe performance - Bitsavers.org
Now Convergent Technologies Inc. hopes to extend that blurring to mainframes with its. "MegaFrame" system. The MegaFrame is based on Motorola Inc. 's MC68000.
[36]
[PDF] CONVERGENT TECHNOLOGIES - Mighty Frame™ Overview
The Convergent™ Mighty Frame™ is a high performance, 32-bit minicomputer, based on the Motorola 68020 microprocessor and UNIX System V, Release. 2.2. It ...
[37]
History - Convergent Technologies MightyFrame
The MiniFrame project started about April 1983 when Greg, Jamie and I were both hired. The port was a straight System V plus MiniFrame platform specifics plus ...
[38]
Convergent Technologies Workslate - Computer
The Workslate used a CMOS version of the old 6800 processor and 16KB of RAM. RAM size couldn't be extended and allowed a limited 720 cells spreadsheet to be ...Missing: IWS | Show results with:IWS
[39]
Convergent Technologies WorkSlate - The Computer Closet
Introduced: November, 1983. CPU: Hitachi 6303 (CMOS version of Motorola 6800). Memory: 16K RAM, 64K ROM. Display: 16x46 character monochrome LCD.Missing: tablet PC
[40]
The WorkSlate WorkSpace @ Floodgap Retrobits
Jan 20, 2025 · Convergent Technologies, founded in Silicon Valley in 1979, made their mark on the market by building workstations and midrange machines for ...
[41]
AT&T UNIX PC - Old Computers
Mar 6, 2022 · Released: 1985. Model: PC7300, later 3B1. Price: US$5,590. CPU: Motorola MC68010 @ 10MHz. RAM: 512K base. Display: 12-inch 80x29 text.
[42]
AT&T UNIX PC - ArchiveOS
Sep 30, 2022 · AT&T UNIX PC (Model 7300) – introduced in 1985 by AT&T Information Systems a new standard for business computers, designed and built by Convergent Technologies.
[43]
[PDF] AT&T Personal Terminal Model 510 - Bitsavers.org
The AT&T Model 510 is an integrated voice/data terminal with a touch-sensitive screen, 9-inch display, handset, speakerphone, and optional keyboard. It has one ...Missing: Convergent | Show results with:Convergent
[44]
CONVERGENT TECHNOLOGIES BUILDS PC SERVER TO ...
CONVERGENT TECHNOLOGIES BUILDS PC SERVER TO SUPPORT 64 MICROS AROUND 20MHz 80386. CBR Staff Writer July 21, 1987 ... Convergent Technologies Inc, as reported ...
[45]
Definition of CTOS | PCMag
(Convergent Technologies OS) An operating system that runs on Unisys' x86-based NGen and SuperGen series (formerly the B-series).
[46]
"UNISYS' CTOS CHEAPEST, BEST OPERATING SYSTEM FOR ...
Apr 17, 1990 · It praises the company's BTOS/CTOS family of workstations which are merging under the CTOS/Open banner (CI No 1,390), and Unisys has announced ...
[47]
Convergent Technologies - Wikipedia
The company was purchased by Unisys in 1988. Convergent Technologies, Inc. Industry, Computer hardware. Founded, 1979. Founders, Allen ...History · Products · AWS · NGEN
[48]
STOCK WARRANTS REPRESENTED SALES DISCOUNT, NOT ...
Jul 19, 1995 · Petitioner Convergent Technologies, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as CT or petitioner), is a corporation organized under the laws of California, ...Missing: funding | Show results with:funding
[49]
BOON OR BORE, YOU CAN'T IGNORE UNIX - Tech Monitor
May: Ominous signs from AT&T; sales of the Unix PC built for it by Convergent Technologies have been a big disappointment and even AT&T can't find enough ...
[50]
Convergent Technologies Operating System - Wikipedia
... Unisys. Unisys was the single largest customer and acquired Convergent Technologies in 1988. At its peak, CTOS had over 800,000 users worldwide. CTOS is no ...
[51]
WorkSlate Microcomputer - Smithsonian Institution
The computer display screen is a liquid crystal display (LCD), approximately 6”w x 3”h. It displayed forty-six characters across and fourteen rows down. The ...Missing: IWS workstation specifications
[52]
The No Excuses Culture - Steve Blank
Mar 8, 2017 · The goal wasn't inflexible dates and deadlines, it was to build a culture of no surprises and collective problem solving.Missing: impact | Show results with:impact