295:. Lee Data sought to keep Visual Technology as a subsidiary while acquiring Visual's intellectual property. The bid for Visual collapsed in January 1985, however, shortly before the final signatures were inked. Lee Data agreed to pay $ 3 million in cancellation fees and agreeing to acquiring some of Visual Technology's patents as a result of the merger breaking down. Lee Data ultimately acquired the patents and designs for Visual Technology's unrealized "supermicrocomputer" based on the
311:
the 1,100 mark around 1987, but the company announced a hiring freeze that year, owing to decreased sales and quarterly operating losses reaching $ 1.3 million. By the end of 1987, four of Lee Data's founding executive talent had resigned, and at the beginning of 1988, Lee Data sold their UK-based international subsidiary to
310:
Employment at Lee Data peaked at 1,128 workers in early
January 1985. That month, following poor financial performance in the company caused by price pressures from their competitors including IBM, Lee Data announced that they had laid off 106 workers across all departments. Employment hovered around
318:
Lee Data attempted a pivot toward developing specialized computer networking software, in an attempt to bolster its bottom line against shrinking terminal sales. Despite their efforts, bloodletting at the company continued apace in 1989, the company laying off 260 of their 913 employees in
October
255:
in
November 1982. The success of the IPO made founder Lee a millionaire overnight. By the end of the next year, Lee Data posted an annual revenue of over $ 50 million and had cornered roughly four percent of the American data terminal market. Lee Data's single largest customer was the
302:
In 1985, the company again announced two acquisitions of competing terminal companies. Unlike the botched acquisitions of
Wordtronix and Visual Technology, however, the company successfully through with these acquisitions in January 1986, paying out the shareholders of both companies $
338:
Under their new CEO Robert Gordon, Apertus made a dramatic recovery. By 1994, they had become the second most popular terminal emualtor vendor, cornering 25 percent of that market share and earning a profit of $ 4.5 million on revenues of $ 26.9 million.
246:
In its first year of operation, the company posted revenues of US$ 631,000. In fiscal year 1982, the company posted $ 13.6 million in revenues and announced its first profit of $ 1.9 million. Lee Data's fast growth was conducive to the success of their
331:, for $ 8 million. Simultaneous with this announcement, founder John Lee announced his resignation as chairman, CEO, and president. In July 1990, Lee Data changed their name to Apertus Technologies, Inc., reflecting a full-time pivot to
183:. It found success going into the mid-1980s, with its offerings praised for their innovations and lower prices compared to IBM's 3270 line, but began faltering in the late 1980s when IBM themselves began adopting such innovations.
235:. In raising money for Lee Data, the two founders sought their former employer, Ed Orenstein, who gave them sufficient start-up capital to begin devising their first products, a family of data terminal systems compatible with the
307:, and developed 3270-compatible cluster controllers and file transfer software, among other products; while the second company, Phaze Information Machines Corporation, developed IBM-compatible data terminals like Lee Data.
319:
1989 following a projected quarterly loss of $ 18 million. All told, the company lost between $ 45 million and $ 50 million in fiscal year 1989—ten times more than they had lost in 1988.
239:. Like IBM's offerings, Lee Data's terminal systems comprised multiple glass terminal units, as well as a controller unit and a printer. The company initially occupied a 21,000-square-foot plant in
1282:
1267:
738:
271:
In 1983, the company attempted two acquisitions of competing technology companies that failed to go through for various reasons. The first was
Wordtronix, Inc., a manufacturer of
1257:
1247:
1252:
1242:
1272:
1237:
1277:
990:
1232:
283:
in July 1983. In
September 1983, the acquisition was called off, Lee Data instead purchasing 19-percent ownership in Wordtronix. The second was of
186:
In 1990, the company sold off their terminal assets and pivoted to provide equipment and software for telecommunications businesses under the name
746:
1039:
347:
Between
October and November 1997, Apertus sold off their terminal emulation assets to Computer Network Technology Corporation of
1287:
265:
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929:
891:
883:
864:
845:
807:
693:
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629:
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441:
389:
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1297:
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software for which they massively downsized, going from 650 employees in
February 1990 to 275 employees in July 1990.
175:, and active as a hardware company from 1979 to 1990. It was principally founded by John M. Lee and John Roy to sell
261:
998:
288:
276:
348:
304:
284:
252:
248:
240:
172:
77:
328:
327:
In
February 1990, Lee Data sold their data terminal assets to Intelligent Information Systems, Inc., of
1160:
648:
712:
367:
195:
123:
332:
228:
141:
780:
356:
232:
146:
272:
1226:
351:, for $ 11.4 million. Simultaneously, they acquired the Carleton Corporation of
291:, whose acquisition Lee Data announced in November 1983 for $ 16.1 million in a
224:
216:
176:
136:
299:. Lee Data finished developing the product and marketed it as System 2000 in 1985.
303:
4 million. The first company, Datastream
Communications, Inc., was based in
279:. Lee Data initially proposed to purchase Wordtronix for $ 6.4 million in a
739:"Visual Technology Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, but Readies New X Terminals"
352:
296:
275:
also founded by ex–Data 100 employees, who directly competed with IBM and their
257:
212:
260:, accounting for roughly a quarter of the company's sales. Even long after the
1205:
360:
292:
280:
220:
211:
Lee Data Corporation was founded in early 1979 by John M. Lee and John Roy of
26:
468:"IBM's shadow: Tiny Lee Data beats the odds in mushrooming terminal market"
312:
268:
formed in the aftermath provided a major source of revenue for Lee Data.
236:
180:
243:; by April 1980, the company employed 31 manufacturing staffers there.
884:"Lee Data lays off 106 after earnings decline for 3 straight quarters"
1040:"Loss-maker Lee to Sell 3270 Arm to Intelligent Information Systems"
930:"Lee Data says 4 officers to retire, duties to go to other firms"
662:(4). Reed Business Information: 64–71 – via Bitsavers.org.
442:"Investors who dove into Lee Data action ended up at the bottom"
366:
In 2000, Apertus (doing business as Carleton) was purchased by
1206:"Oracle to Acquire Mainframe Data Extraction Software Firm"
215:. Both had formerly worked for Data 100, Inc., a maker of
781:"Lee Data acquisition talks with Visual Tech broken off"
1142:"Apertus sells sivision and acquries another company"
1100:"Lee Data Corp. changes name to Apertus Technologies"
723:(48). IDG Publications: 106 – via Google Books.
231:, until January 1979, when Data 100 was purchased by
156:
129:
118:
100:
83:
61:
44:
36:
24:
907:"Unforeseen loss forces Lee Data to change course"
694:"Lee Data moves to acquire Visual Technology, Inc"
1216:(1). Worldwide Videotex: 1 – via ProQuest.
1123:"Computer firm finds niche linking old with new"
1055:
1053:
559:"Lee Data earnings grow, but investors fear IBM"
517:"First million was easy for Lee Data executives"
1283:Defunct software companies of the United States
1268:Defunct computer companies of the United States
732:
730:
713:"Long talks led to Visual Technology buy-out"
623:
621:
8:
997:. United Press International. Archived from
578:
576:
19:
1176:
1174:
745:. New Statesman Media Group. Archived from
495:"He cuts deals to form computer-laser firm"
416:"Languishing Lee Data stock begins to stir"
359:software. They later adopted Carleton as a
194:in the mid-1990s. Carleton was acquired by
16:American computer company from 1979 to 2000
171:was an American computer company based in
18:
1258:Computer companies disestablished in 2000
1248:American companies disestablished in 2000
604:"Great expectations go sour for Lee Data"
510:
508:
287:, a competing terminal manufacturer from
711:Sullivan, Kathleen (November 26, 1984).
585:"Lee Data says '85 profits should be up"
540:"Lee Data to make public stock offering"
461:
459:
457:
455:
370:for $ 8.7 million in a stock swap.
1010:
1008:
630:"Lee Data to buy all Wordtronix shares"
432:
1253:Computer companies established in 1979
1243:American companies established in 1979
1121:Youngblood, Dick (November 14, 1994).
675:"Lee Data cancels Wordtronix takeover"
190:. Apertus changed their name again to
865:"Lee Data to acquire Arizona company"
827:"Lee Data pays $ 4 million for units"
808:"Lee Data to buy product-line rights"
382:"Lee Data chief forsees more success"
7:
1062:"Lee Data completes sale to IIS Inc"
1273:Defunct computer hardware companies
1238:2000 disestablishments in Minnesota
1140:Fielder, Terry (October 28, 1997).
846:"Lee Data will buy Datastream firm"
779:Schroeder, Jim (January 21, 1985).
673:Staff writer (September 10, 1983).
1278:Defunct computer systems companies
1081:"Lee Data Corp. changing its name"
1038:Staff writer (February 28, 1990).
1015:Gross, Steve (February 28, 1990).
863:Staff writer (December 10, 1985).
844:Staff writer (November 27, 1985).
692:Green, Steve (November 13, 1984).
602:Gross, Steve (December 14, 1987).
515:Gross, Steve (November 19, 1982).
440:Carideo, Anthony (July 13, 1987).
14:
1159:Staff writer (November 7, 1997).
1060:Pokela, Barbara (April 3, 1990).
947:Staff writer (January 18, 1988).
928:Staff writer (December 3, 1987).
882:Gross, Steve (January 29, 1985).
760:Staff writer (January 16, 1985).
591:: 12B – via Newspapers.com.
557:Gross, Steve (November 6, 1983).
538:Staff writer (November 5, 1982).
414:Carideo, Anthony (May 29, 1989).
343:As Apertus Technology (1997–2000)
323:As Apertus Technology (1990–1997)
266:Regional Bell Operating Companies
1233:1979 establishments in Minnesota
1204:Staff writer (January 1, 2000).
1181:Alexander, Steve (May 8, 2006).
1167:: D3 – via Newspapers.com.
1148:: D1 – via Newspapers.com.
1129:: 2D – via Newspapers.com.
1087:: 1D – via Newspapers.com.
1079:Pokela, Barbara (May 22, 1990).
1068:: 1D – via Newspapers.com.
989:Staff writer (October 5, 1989).
966:Gross, Steve (October 6, 1989).
955:: 7D – via Newspapers.com.
936:: 1M – via Newspapers.com.
871:: 6B – via Newspapers.com.
852:: 2M – via Newspapers.com.
833:: 2M – via Newspapers.com.
825:Staff writer (January 1, 1986).
814:: 96 – via Newspapers.com.
768:: 32 – via Newspapers.com.
700:: 68 – via Newspapers.com.
681:: 7B – via Newspapers.com.
636:: 7B – via Newspapers.com.
628:Staff writer (August 10, 1983).
546:: 5B – via Newspapers.com.
501:: 1C – via Newspapers.com.
448:: 4M – via Newspapers.com.
422:: 4D – via Newspapers.com.
397:Gross, Steve (October 2, 1987).
40:Lee Data Corporation (1979–1990)
32:Carleton Corporation (1998–2000)
1017:"Lee Data's success story ends"
762:"Lee Data Corp. cancels merger"
737:Staff writer (August 7, 1989).
380:Gross, Steve (March 26, 1984).
1098:Gross, Steve (July 20, 1990).
968:"Lee Data Corp. cuts 260 jobs"
905:Gross, Steve (July 17, 1987).
806:Staff writer (July 12, 1985).
647:Verity, John W. (April 1982).
583:Staff writer (July 26, 1985).
466:Johnson, Jan (April 8, 1980).
1:
493:Gross, Steve (June 9, 1981).
1046:. New Statesman Media Group.
949:"Lee Data sells subsidirary"
179:systems compatible with the
1193:– via Newspapers.com.
1110:– via Newspapers.com.
1027:– via Newspapers.com.
978:– via Newspapers.com.
917:– via Newspapers.com.
894:– via Newspapers.com.
614:– via Newspapers.com.
569:– via Newspapers.com.
527:– via Newspapers.com.
482:– via Newspapers.com.
409:– via Newspapers.com.
392:– via Newspapers.com.
106:; 24 years ago
67:; 45 years ago
1314:
991:"Lee Data to cut 260 jobs"
262:breakup of the Bell System
188:Apertus Technologies, Inc.
20:Apertus Technologies, Inc.
649:"New WP Show on the Road"
399:"Askanas leaves Lee Data"
1044:Computer Business Review
791:. Sage Publications: 18
743:Computer Business Review
289:Tewksbury, Massachusetts
1288:Eden Prairie, Minnesota
349:Plymouth, Massachusetts
305:Santa Clara, California
285:Visual Technology, Inc.
273:word processing systems
253:over-the-counter market
249:initial public offering
241:Eden Prairie, Minnesota
207:As Lee Data (1979–1990)
173:Eden Prairie, Minnesota
78:Eden Prairie, Minnesota
329:Hackensack, New Jersey
749:on February 26, 2024.
499:The Minneapolis Star
472:The Minneapolis Star
277:Displaywriter System
192:Carleton Corporation
169:Lee Data Corporation
1298:Oracle acquisitions
1210:Mainframe Computing
795:. – via Gale.
158:Number of employees
21:
1293:Terminal emulators
1263:Computer terminals
1001:on April 11, 2024.
368:Oracle Corporation
333:terminal emulation
229:midrange computers
196:Oracle Corporation
162:1,128 (1985, peak)
142:Terminal emulators
124:Oracle Corporation
355:, a developer of
166:
165:
104:January 2000
51:Computer hardware
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357:data warehousing
233:Northern Telecom
147:Data warehousing
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1183:"Prolific Phil"
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785:Electronic News
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374:Further reading
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225:IBM mainframes
217:data terminals
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137:Data terminals
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1066:April 3, 1990
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264:in 1984, the
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177:data terminal
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1199:
1187:Star Tribune
1186:
1165:Star Tribune
1164:
1154:
1146:Star Tribune
1145:
1135:
1127:Star Tribune
1126:
1116:
1104:Star Tribune
1103:
1093:
1085:Star Tribune
1084:
1074:
1065:
1043:
1033:
1021:Star Tribune
1020:
999:the original
994:
984:
972:Star Tribune
971:
961:
953:Star Tribune
952:
942:
934:Star Tribune
933:
923:
911:Star Tribune
910:
900:
888:Star Tribune
887:
877:
869:Star Tribune
868:
858:
850:Star Tribune
849:
839:
831:Star Tribune
830:
820:
812:Star Tribune
811:
801:
792:
788:
784:
774:
766:Star Tribune
765:
755:
747:the original
742:
720:
716:
706:
698:Star Tribune
697:
687:
679:Star Tribune
678:
668:
659:
655:
642:
634:Star Tribune
633:
608:Star Tribune
607:
597:
589:Star Tribune
588:
563:Star Tribune
562:
552:
544:Star Tribune
543:
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521:Star Tribune
520:
498:
488:
471:
446:Star Tribune
445:
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420:Star Tribune
419:
403:Star Tribune
402:
386:Star Tribune
385:
365:
346:
337:
326:
317:
309:
301:
270:
245:
210:
191:
187:
185:
168:
167:
122:Acquired by
353:Minneapolis
297:Intel 80286
258:Bell System
221:peripherals
213:Minneapolis
90:John M. Lee
1227:Categories
656:Datamation
428:References
361:trade name
293:stock swap
281:stock swap
219:and other
27:Trade name
717:InfoWorld
198:in 2000.
1161:"Briefs"
313:Olivetti
237:IBM 3270
181:IBM 3270
149:software
130:Products
93:John Roy
54:Software
45:Industry
37:Formerly
995:UPI.com
251:on the
202:History
111:2000-01
109: (
101:Defunct
84:Founder
70: (
62:Founded
1189:: D1,
1106:: 1D,
1023:: 1D,
974:: 1D,
913:: 9B,
890:: 5B,
793:et seq
610:: 1M,
565:: 1D,
523:: 1A,
474:: 1D,
405:: 7B,
388:: 1M,
721:XVIII
652:(PDF)
227:and
223:for
119:Fate
72:1979
65:1979
915:11B
76:in
1229::
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