422:. It was 1" thick and the size of a sheet of paper. Its primary user interface was a spreadsheet. The WorkSlate utilized a mini-cassette for voice- and data-recording and for loading a range of pre-packaged add-on applications called TaskWare to handle jobs such as the management of personal expenses, calendars, etc. At that time there was no facility to download such "apps" over the Internet, so they were available only on the mini-cassettes. The WorkSlate was developed in a highly compressed twelve-month development cycle which resulted in inadequate testing and a sub-optimal product which sold poorly. It was discontinued in the summer of 1984.
27:
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330:/Storage Processor ("spCTOS"). Each processor had its own RAM: 512 KB to 4 MB for the Application Processors, and 256 KB to 768 KB for the I/O processors. Up to 36 boards could be installed in a system: six in the base enclosure, with another six per expansion enclosure (five expansion enclosures maximum). Each File Processor could support up to four disks.
343:
434:-based MiniFrame in May 1984 running CTIX. The MiniFrame came with 512 KB on the motherboard and could be extended with up to four stackable expansion boards (Ethernet, eight RS-232 ports, 512 KB memory boards), with a max of 2 MB RAM using three memory boards. The MiniFrame was used as the basis to develop the AT&T UNIX PC.
252:
slots into a unique "lectern" situated next to the monitor and integrated into a common base. The WS-120 placed these boards along with five
Multibus slots in a floor-standing enclosure. Floor-standing mass storage units would also be integrated into a system. The video hardware supported "soft
196:
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,
180:
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.
333:
The MegaFrame was resold by
Burroughs/Unisys as the XE550 running CENTIX and BTOS, and originally sold as the XE500 and XE520 without the Application Processors. Motorola/Four-Phase resold the MegaFrame as the System 6600.
467:, released in March 1985. The UNIX PC integrated a number features (Stream-based I/O, Multinational Language Support) to the Intel AT&T UNIX base (SVR3.2). Convergent also offered this machine directly as the S/50.
145:, 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,
366:
400, and NCR sold it as the WorkSaver 300. The NGEN was also sold with an MS-DOS version running on top of CTOS. It was sold as the M1000 by McDonnell
Douglas Computer Systems Company (previously known as
1441:
437:
NCR and
Burroughs were two resellers of the MiniFrame. Gould sold the MiniFrame as the Powerstation 2000 running UTX/2000. Motorola resold the MiniFrame as the System 6300 under the
326:-based I/O processor boards each running their own scaled-down versions of CTOS: File Processor ("fpCTOS"), Cluster Processor ("cpCTOS"), Terminal Processor ("tpCTOS"), and
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1426:
418:
Released in
November 1983, the WorkSlate, an early tablet-style personal computer system, was designed and marketed by Convergent, with the industrial design done by
1431:
1421:
475:
Convergent developed the integrated voice/data
Personal Terminal 510A (analog) and 510D (digital) for AT&T, introduced in March 1985. The 510A was for use with
1446:
1451:
479:
lines, and the 510D for use with the AT&T System 75/85 PBX. The terminals featured a unique gel-based 9" touch screen providing a soft, cushiony feel.
749:
552:
214:. 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.
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Later models - the NGEN Series 286 (Burroughs B28), 386 (Burroughs B38), and 386i (Burroughs B39) - kept pace with Intel CPU development through the
288:
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318:
Available in August 1983, the MegaFrame (S/1280) consisted of up to eight 10 MHz
Motorola 68010-based "Application Processors" running
935:
619:
511:
allowed Unix and DOS applications to run simultaneously, allowing the machine to function as both a PC server and 32-user Unix machine.
279:
Introduced in
November 1981, the next product was a cost-reduced desktop version called the AWS (Application Workstation) utilizing an
310:
as the Prime Producer 100 (a word processing workstation), by NCR as the WorkSaver 200, and by Savin as the Information Station 1000.
596:
562:
772:
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878:
1219:
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bought Convergent Technologies in 1988, after which Convergent Technologies became Unisys Network Computing Group (NCG).
798:
441:
Series 6000. Motorola/Four-Phase pioneered development of international character support for Unix platforms for their
1004:
476:
1022:
248:
math coprocessor. The WS-110 integrated the processor, memory I/O, and video display control boards along with two
691:
586:
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CRT controller instead of the custom video board used in the IWS. The IWS and AWS were compatible and ran in an
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955:
711:
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84:
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Introduced in 1980, Convergent's first product was the IWS (Integrated Workstation) based on a 5 MHz
1214:
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was introduced in 1993 by Unisys, approximately 5 years after it had acquired Convergent Technologies.)
372:
368:
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146:
499:-based MightyFrame systems (S/80, S/120, S/221, S/222, S/280, S/320, S/480, S/640), all running CTIX.
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384:
268:
158:
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The AWS was replaced by the modular NGEN (Next Generation) workstation in late 1983, based on the
291:(CTOS). In December 1982, Convergent announced the AWS Turbo Color Graphics Workstation using the
253:
fonts" allowing the character set to be changed in RAM rather than a fixed character set in ROM.
1231:
863:
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and elsewhere; Jon Huie was in charge of Software; Richard Lowenthal was in charge of Hardware.
185:, in charge of division marketing, went on to found several Silicon Valley startups, including
26:
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726:
592:
558:
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154:
37:
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644:
554:
The History of Visual Magic in Computers: How Beautiful Images are Made in CAD, 3D, VR and AR
537:
1385:
508:
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1177:
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319:
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538:"The Industry Workhorse: Convergent Technologies designs computers for name-brand makers"
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1144:"CONVERGENT TECHNOLOGIES BUILDS PC SERVER TO SUPPORT 64 MICROS AROUND 20MHz 80386"
407:
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Michels, Sanders, Wegbreit, and another executive left in October 1985 to form
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The 20-MHz 386-based Server PC running CTIX/386 (SVR3) was released in 1987.
177:
The Distributed Systems division was responsible for the IWS, AWS, and NGEN.
388:
380:
264:
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microprocessor. To Burroughs (and Unisys) users the NGEN was known as the
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The Special Projects division was responsible for the AT&T products.
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in March 1986, but the merger was called off at the last moment.
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406:. (A successor to the NGEN called the SuperGen and based on the
218:
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released the Isy. Other OEMs were the Gould Power Station and
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527:
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207:
executive Paul C. Ely Jr. took over as CEO in January 1985.
1164:
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1130:"Base for computer, computer terminal or similar article"
118:
727:"Michels sees evolving niche for personal supercomputer"
799:"UNISYS Corp Puts Ely in Charge of $ 2,000m UNIX Group"
358:
and to Prime Computer users as the Prime Producer 200.
1005:"Datapoint joins micro fray with 16-bit, MS-DOS entry"
189:, and as of 2012 lectures on technology startups at
1378:
1355:
1294:
1261:
1207:
866:. ComputerWorld. November 23, 1981. pp. 49–50.
773:"Company News - Unisys Says It Will Buy Convergent"
133:company formed by a small group of people who left
114:
104:
92:
79:
67:
51:
43:
33:
1029:(in German). IDG Business Media GmbH. 8 March 1985
383:released the NGEN as the Vista-PC running MS-DOS.
346:A Burroughs B25 computer, which is a rebadged NGEN
295:graphics controller with 128 KB display memory.
1442:Defunct computer companies of the United States
675:Make It New: A History of Silicon Valley Design
1109:"Four-Phase Series 2000, 4000, 5000, and 6000"
686:
684:
1185:
970:"NCR introduces line of desktop workstations"
8:
1023:"Telefonbauer TN steigt in Datentechnik ein"
943:. Convergent Technologies. January 24, 1985.
287:clustered environment under the proprietary
19:
705:
703:
701:
658:Robertson, Barbara. "California Hardware".
217:Convergent reached an agreement to acquire
1252:
1192:
1178:
1170:
25:
18:
1437:Computer companies disestablished in 1988
1427:American companies disestablished in 1988
1095:"Gould Powerseries gets low-end addition"
557:. Springer Science & Business Media.
919:"Grows from 8 to 128 users in the field"
839:
837:
445:business using the CTOS/CTIX equipment.
341:
289:Convergent Technologies Operating System
519:
271:released the Information Station 2000.
1432:Computer companies established in 1979
1422:American companies established in 1979
797:CBR Staff Writer (December 13, 1988).
710:Winter, Christine (February 6, 1985).
487:Released in 1986, Convergent used the
387:released the NGEN-based MDS HERO, and
846:"Savin Comes Out With Two OA Systems"
830:. Convergent Technologies. p. 5.
298:The AWS was sold by Burroughs as the
141:in 1979. Among the founders were CEO
7:
844:Beeler, Jeffry (December 28, 1981).
748:McEnaney, Maura (18 November 1985).
673:Katz, Barry M. (September 4, 2015).
322:-derived CTIX talking to 8 MHz
1447:Defunct computer hardware companies
1237:Eckert–Mauchly Computer Corporation
725:McEnaney, Maura (20 October 1986).
463:OEM UNIX product for AT&T, the
1452:Defunct computer systems companies
1342:New Executive Programming Language
1160:Bitsavers.org: Convergent archive
954:Hayes, Thomas (January 24, 1984).
771:Pollack, Andrew (11 August 1988).
712:"ELY'S COMING TO SAVE CONVERGENT?"
624:. Cahners Publishing Company. 1980
267:sold it as the WorkSaver 100, and
14:
1097:. ComputerWorld. pp. 59, 73.
972:. ComputerWorld. August 27, 1984.
1093:Connolly, James (May 21, 1984).
161:, Monroe Data Systems, NCR, and
16:Former American computer company
1072:"Convergent Shipping Miniframe"
877:Petrosky, Mary (20 July 1987).
805:. New Statesman Media Group Ltd
459:Convergent developed the first
371:) who included a copy of their
165:. The company was purchased by
1220:System Development Corporation
984:"Microdata's natural language"
471:AT&T Personal Terminal 510
244:microprocessor, with optional
1:
1417:1988 mergers and acquisitions
1047:Stern, Marc (16 April 1984).
750:"Convergent invests in Baron"
621:Mini-micro Systems, Volume 13
588:Programmers at work, Volume 1
127:Convergent Technologies, Inc.
20:Convergent Technologies, Inc.
1116:Datapro Research Corporation
956:"Convergent's New Challenge"
540:. InfoWorld. pp. 44–45.
879:"CTI strives for diversity"
197:released in November 1983.
1478:
937:MegaFrame Product Overview
924:. Convergent Technologies.
864:"Convergent Adds Desktops"
692:"Founder quits Convergent"
585:Lammers, Susan M. (1986).
536:Shea, Tom (23 July 1984).
452:
430:Convergent introduced the
1312:Burroughs B2500 and B4900
1250:
1070:Shea, Tom (28 May 1984).
645:"Bonfire of the Vanities"
24:
694:. UPI. October 31, 1985.
306:as the Corail B4000, by
96:Multi-processor computer
1365:List of UNIVAC products
1281:UNIVAC 1100/2200 series
1271:Burroughs Large Systems
1227:Convergent Technologies
1074:. InfoWorld. p. 16
85:Santa Clara, California
825:"NGEN Family Overview"
347:
119:https://www.unisys.com
1215:Burroughs Corporation
379:which ran on MS-DOS.
369:Microdata Corporation
362:sold the NGEN as the
345:
662:(November 1983): 58.
551:Peddie, Jon (2013).
385:Mohawk Data Sciences
259:sold the IWS as the
1011:: 4. June 11, 1984.
991:Practical Computing
729:. Computer Industry
591:. Microsoft Press.
377:relational database
191:Stanford University
106:Number of employees
21:
1232:Sperry Corporation
1049:"Review:WorkSlate"
777:The New York Times
714:. Chicago Tribune.
439:Four-Phase Systems
399:Knowledge Worker.
348:
151:Four-Phase Systems
129:, was an American
100:Personal computers
1404:
1403:
1391:J. Presper Eckert
993:: 23. March 1984.
958:. New York Times.
135:Intel Corporation
124:
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38:Computer hardware
1469:
1386:Robert S. Barton
1317:Command AND Edit
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1146:. July 21, 1987.
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1118:. February 1985.
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752:. Computer World
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465:AT&T UNIX PC
455:AT&T UNIX PC
449:AT&T UNIX PC
110:1300 (1984)
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1370:UNIVAC FASTRAND
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907:. Dec 20, 1982.
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881:. Network World
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677:. p. 67.
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56:Allen Michels
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1337:MCP Compiler
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809:November 29,
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803:Tech Monitor
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80:Headquarters
63:Ben Wegbreit
1347:Unisys Icon
1078:13 November
1055:13 November
1051:. InfoWorld
885:13 November
782:15 November
756:13 November
733:13 November
628:13 November
604:13 November
570:13 November
483:MightyFrame
408:Intel 80486
404:Intel 80386
352:Intel 80186
324:Intel 80186
183:Steve Blank
1411:Categories
1263:Mainframes
1033:2021-10-13
515:References
397:A. B. Dick
281:Intel 8275
246:Intel 8087
242:Intel 8086
139:Xerox PARC
61:Kal Hubler
59:Bob Garrow
905:InfoWorld
509:Merge 386
503:Server PC
495:in their
426:MiniFrame
414:WorkSlate
389:Telenorma
381:Datapoint
314:MegaFrame
257:Burroughs
187:E.piphany
169:in 1988.
147:Burroughs
1332:LINC 4GL
1327:HOLMES 2
1295:Products
293:NEC 7220
250:Multibus
231:Products
131:computer
93:Products
52:Founders
34:Industry
1286:OS 2200
1208:History
364:Questar
203:Former
173:History
115:Website
75:in 1988
44:Founded
1457:Unisys
1379:People
1357:UNIVAC
1322:ES7000
1201:Unisys
1165:Unisys
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285:RS-422
225:Unisys
167:Unisys
159:Mohawk
87:, U.S.
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987:(PDF)
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493:68040
393:Bosch
302:, by
269:Savin
163:Prime
155:Gould
1080:2017
1057:2017
887:2017
811:2021
784:2017
758:2017
735:2017
630:2017
606:2017
593:ISBN
572:2017
559:ISBN
491:and
477:POTS
443:EMEA
373:Pick
360:Bull
338:NGEN
304:Bull
219:3Com
137:and
68:Fate
47:1979
1276:MCP
497:VME
356:B25
328:SMD
300:B21
275:AWS
265:NCR
261:B22
236:IWS
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