Practical Peripherals

Last updated
Practical Peripherals, Inc.
Company type
  • Private (1981–1989)
  • Subsidiary (1989–1994)
  • Division (1994–1999)
IndustryComputer
Founded1981;43 years ago (1981) in Westlake Village, California, United States
FounderMichael Seedman
Defunct1994;30 years ago (1994)
FateAcquired by Hayes Microcomputer Products in 1989; formally merged with Hayes in 1994; operations discontinued in 1997; brand discontinued in 1999
ProductsModems
Number of employees
700 (1992, peak)

Practical Peripherals, Inc., was a private [1] American computer peripheral manufacturer active from 1981 to 1999 and based in Los Angeles County. Founded by Michael Seedman, the company specialized in telecommunications products, primarily modems, for personal computers. Seedman led the company from its inception in 1981 until 1993, after Practical Peripherals was sold to Hayes Microcomputer Products.

Contents

The company ventured into the market with print buffers under the Microbuffer brand, offering various forms tailored for different systems and needs. Around 1985, the company expanded its product line by introducing modems, under the brand name Practical Modem (PM). In 1989, Practical was acquired by Hayes, who kept the company around as a subsidiary until 1999, when Hayes themselves were bought out by Zoom Telephonics.

History

Pre-acquisition (1981–1989)

Practical Peripherals, Inc., was incorporated in 1981 by Michael S. Seedman in Westlake Village, California, as a manufacturer of computer peripherals. [2] Its first products in 1982 were a series of print buffer (spooler) expansion cards, sold under the Microbuffer name. [3] This encompassed the Microbuffer II for the Apple II, the Microbuffer E for the Epson MX-80 printer, standalone Microbuffers with two serial or parallel ports, and a versatile universal Microbuffer supporting both serial and parallel use. These products featured internal dynamic memory capacities ranging from 16 KB to 512 KB. [4]

The company began diversifying its operations in 1985, branching into telecommunications products for personal computers. [5] It introduced modems for personal computers under the Practical Modem brand name, [6] as well as data buffer devices for faxes. [7] The company's modem line was its hottest seller. It commenced with the Practical Modem 1200 (PM1200) in December 1985, providing speeds of 1200 bps for both internal and external modems. [5] [8] Progressing through their product offerings, Practical Peripherals culminated with the PM56K, a high-speed internal and external modem operating at 56,000 bps, in 1997. [9]

By the mid-1980s, other members of the Seedman family began presiding over operations at Practical. Michael's brother Eric was hired as vice president of sales and his father Joseph acted as chief operating officer under CEO Michael. [10] [11]

Post-acquisition (1989–1999)

In 1985, Practical was sued for alleged patent infringement by Hayes Microcomputer Products of Atlanta, Georgia, of the latter's Heatherington '302 patent. Practical counter-sued in 1988, claiming that Hayes' patent was invalid. Rather than drag on legal proceedings, Hayes acquired Practical for an undisclosed sum in August 1989, allowing it to operate as an independently operating subsidiary, the Practical brand surviving, and short-circuiting their respective lawsuits. [11] [12] Practical that year achieved sales of nearly $50 million on their modem products from 1990 to 1992. [13]

In May 1992, Hayes doubled the size of Practical's headquarters moving it from Westlake Village to a 70,000-square-foot facility in Thousand Oaks, California. All operations of the company were performed under one roof at this new location, including marketing, development, administration, and manufacturing. [14] The company increased their payroll in tandem, [15] the company peaking at 700 workers in September 1992. [13] Sales of Practical's products peaked that year as well, at just over $50 million. [16]

In 1993, founder Michael Seedman departed from Practical Peripherals to join rival modem maker U.S. Robotics of Schaumburg, Illinois, as their senior VP and general manager. [17] Following price cuts and consolidation of the company's operations in 1993, [16] employment at Practical gradually shrank to 575 workers by October 1994 (450 full-time workers and 125 temporary workers). [2] Between October 1994 and November 1994, Hayes formally merged Practical into themselves, absorbing their liabilities while allowing Practical to continue to be managed independently. [2] [18] In late November 1994, Hayes sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection due to constricting cash flows, and despite reassurances that Practical would not see further consolidation, [19] [20] Hayes laid off 200 within Practical in late December that year. [20] As Practical had formally merged with Hayes right before the parent company's bankruptcy, Practical's management were dragged into Chapter 11 proceedings along with them. In 1995, Hayes laid of 100 employees of Practical. [21] In September 1996, Hayes announced that Practical's 375 remaining employees were to be laid off in the next seven months, effectively ending Practical's independent operations. [22] Practical continued as a brand of Hayes modems for the next two years, until Hayes themselves were bought out by Zoom Telephonics in April 1999. [23] [24]

Related Research Articles

Hayes Microcomputer Products was a US-based manufacturer of modems. The company is known for the Smartmodem, which introduced a control language for operating the functions of the modem via the serial interface, in contrast to manual operation with front-panel switches. This smart modem approach dramatically simplified and automated operation. Today almost all modems use a variant of the Hayes command set.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tecmar</span> American manufacturer

Tecmar Inc. was an American manufacturer of personal computer enhancement products based in Solon, Ohio. The company was founded in 1974 by Martin Alpert, M.D., and Carolyn Alpert. The company's first products were computerized medical equipment; the company shortly after pivoted to data acquisition boards for the first generation of microcomputers. Popular products included the Scientific Solutions LabMaster series of boards for S-100 and Apple Computer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IBM PCradio</span> Notebook computer released in 1991

The PCradio was a notebook computer released by International Business Machines (IBM) in late 1991. Designed primarily for mobile workers such as service technicians, salespersons and public safety workers, the PCradio featured a ruggedized build with no internal hard disk drive and was optioned with either a cellular or ARDIS RF modem, in addition to a standard landline modem.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon Computer Systems</span> American subsidiary (1992–2001)

Canon Computer Systems, Inc. (CCSI), sometimes shortened to Canon Computer, was an American subsidiary of Canon Inc. formed in 1992 to develop and market the parent company's personal computers and workstations. The subsidiary also assumed the responsibility of marketing Canon's printers and photocopiers, which were formerly sold by other Canon divisions. It went defunct in January 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Advanced Logic Research</span> American computer company

Advanced Logic Research, Inc. (ALR), was an American computer company founded in 1984 in Irvine, California by Gene Lu. The company marketed IBM PC compatibles across that standard's evolution until 1997 when it was acquired by Gateway 2000.

3D Microcomputers Wholesale and Distribution, Inc., often referred to as 3D Microcomputers or 3D Micro, was a computer company based in Markham, Ontario. The company was among the top five personal computer vendors in Canada in the mid-1990s. The company was partially owned by Hong Kong–based computer manufacturer PC Chips for several years; many of the parts for 3D Micro's computers were of overseas origin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MacEnhancer</span> Expansion box for the Compact Macintosh

The MacEnhancer is an expansion box originally developed in 1985 by Microsoft for Apple Computer's original Macintosh. Plugged into either the Macintosh's serial printer or modem ports, the MacEnhancer provides IBM-standard printer and serial ports as well as a passthrough for the Mac-standard serial port, for a net gain of three peripheral ports. Along with a provided disk of drivers, this expansion box allows the Macintosh to run a host of printers and other business peripherals not originally supported by Apple.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cumulus Corporation</span> American computer company

Cumulus Corporation was an American computer peripheral and system manufacturer active from 1987 to 1993. Based in Beachwood, Ohio and started by Tecmar founder Martin Alpert, the company set out to exclusively manufacture expansion products for IBM's Personal System/2 (PS/2) family of computers—mainly RAM expansion cards. It later released cross-platform CPU upgrade cards and memory expansion cards for other platforms besides the PS/2. Beginning in 1990, the company began trading as Cumulus Computer Corporation and began releasing complete systems of their own. Initially a success story for the tech industry in Cleveland, a botched stock launch in 1992 proved disastrous for the company's ailing cash flow situation, and in 1993 the company was liquidated amid massive debt to suppliers and lenders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Popcom</span> Former line of modems (1984–1989)

Popcom was a line of modems marketed by the Prentice Corporation of Sunnyvale, California, introduced in 1984. The line comprised six models—X100, X150, C100, C150, C200, C250—the C models being internal modems meant to plug into a free ISA expansion slot of a PC compatible, while the X models were compact external units intended to be plugged into a wall indefinitely and connected to the computer via a serial cable. The X100 and X150 were noted by the press for their very small physical footprint among its contemporaries in the market.

Leading Technology, Inc., was an American computer company based in Beaverton, Oregon, and active from 1985 to 1992. It sold IBM PC–compatible computer systems, monitors, and other peripherals supplied by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in Hong Kong, Korea, Taiwan. In 1992, the company was purchased by VTech of Hong Kong.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cardinal Technologies</span> American computer company

Cardinal Technologies, Inc., was an American computer company originally based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, that primarily manufactured modems for personal computers, among other peripherals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prometheus Products</span>

Prometheus Products, Inc. was an American computer peripheral manufacturer active from 1981 to 1996. The company primarily manufactured modems and sound cards for personal computers for the bulk of its existence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boca Research</span>

Boca Research, Inc., later Inprimis, Inc., was an American computer company based in Boca Raton, Florida, and active between 1985 and 2002. The company manufactured a variety of expansion cards for the IBM PC and compatible systems, including memory cards, networking cards, sound cards, and graphics cards. Once a major player in the computer networking market, being the fourth-largest manufacturer of modems in 1996, Boca Research abandoned the PC hardware market entirely amid falling market share and manufactured set-top boxes in the last years of its existence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reveal Computer Products</span> American computer peripheral manufacturer

Reveal Computer Products, Inc., was a short-lived American computer peripheral manufacturer active from 1992 to 1996. It was established as a subsidiary of Packard Bell Electronics, an American computer company. The company was once a major player in the IBM PC peripheral market, with annual sales peaking above the US$200 million mark. It went bankrupt in 1996 after an aborted $65-million merger with Creative Technology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Future Domain</span> American computer hardware company

Future Domain Corporation was a privately held American computer hardware company active from 1982 to 1995 and based in Orange County, California. The company was among the first to produce Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) device controller expansion cards, later controller ICs. It was acquired by Adaptec in 1995 for US$25 million.

New Media Corporation, also known as New Media Technology Corporation, was an American computer company active from 1992 to the early 2000s. The company focused on the design and manufacture of PC Cards, a type of expansion card bus for laptops that had their heyday from the early 1990s to the mid-2000s. New Media was privately held and based out of Irvine, California.

Micronics Computers, Inc. was an American computer company active from 1986 to 1998 that manufactured complete systems, motherboards, and peripherals. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Micronics was one of the largest domestic motherboard manufacturers in the United States in the 1990s. After acquiring Orchid Technology in 1994, the company entered the market for multimedia products, such as graphics adapters and sound cards. In 1998, Micronics was acquired by Diamond Multimedia.

Kraft Systems, Inc., was an American electronics company based in San Diego County, California, and active from 1962 to 1994. The company was founded by Philip O. Kraft and began as a manufacturer of transmitters for radio-controlled models, namely RC aircraft. In 1972, the company was acquired by the Carlisle Corporation of Cincinnati, Ohio, who kept Kraft around as a subsidiary still based in San Diego. In the early 1980s, Kraft pivoted to manufacturing joysticks for home and personal computers, becoming a major vendor in this market. Kraft eventually sold off their intellectual property to MicroSpeed, Inc., of Fremont, California, and shortly after went defunct.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colorado Memory Systems</span> Defunct American technology company

Colorado Memory Systems, Inc. (CMS), was an American technology company independently active from 1985 to 1992 and based in Loveland, Colorado. The company primarily manufactured tape drive systems, especially those using quarter-inch cartridges (QIC)s, for personal computers and workstations. Colorado Memory Systems was founded by Bill Beierwaltes as an offshoot of his previous company, Colorado Time Systems, also based in Loveland. It was acquired by Hewlett-Packard in 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonos</span> Defunct American computer systems company

Jonos International, Inc., originally Jonos, Ltd. (JL), later Netcom Research, Inc., was an American computer company active from 1980 to 1992. The company sold a variety of computer hardware products and systems, including STD Bus peripherals, smart terminals, microcomputers, and portable computers. The company's Courier portable computer was the first microcomputer sold with Sony's then-new 3.5-inch floppy disk drives on its release in June 1982. Jonos' systems were widely used in the fields of construction, roadworks, machining, and military.

References

  1. "Vendor Profiles". PC Week. 6 (20). Ziff-Davis: 127. May 22, 1989 via Gale.
  2. 1 2 3 Mitchell, John (October 9, 1994). "Modem maker gets message out for workers". Thousand Oaks Star: B10 via Newspapers.com.
  3. Robinson, Dan (October 25, 1982). "MicroBuffer, spooler from Practical Peripherals". InfoWorld. 4 (42). IDG Publications: 72–73 via Google Books.
  4. Longley, Dennis; Michael Shain (1985). Expanding and Networking Microcomputers: Most Comprehensive Guide for Apple II and IBM Personal Computers. Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 169, 173–174. ISBN   9781349076253 via Google Books.
  5. 1 2 "Practical Peripherals Plans to Diversify". Computer & Software News. 3 (21). Lebhar-Friedman: 28. May 27, 1985 via Gale.
  6. Smith, Bud E. (1992). Que's 1993 Computer Buyer's Guide. Que. pp. 258–259. ISBN   9781565290211 via Google Books.
  7. Satchell, Stephen; Stefan B. Lipson (November 1992). "Bargain Speedsters: V.32bis Modems". MacUser. 8 (11). Ziff-Davis: 176 et seq via Gale.
  8. Stone, M. David (April 29, 1986). "Choosing and Using Modems". PC Magazine. 5 (8). Ziff-Davis: 233–238 via Google Books.
  9. Shah, Deval (August 1997). "56K? No Way". Data Communications. 26 (10). McGraw-Hill: 42 via ProQuest.
  10. Ponder, Jim (May 6, 1990). "Family on front of computer war". Thousand Oaks Star: D-7 via Newspapers.com.
  11. 1 2 Scott, Karyl (August 14, 1989). "Hayes buys practical peripherals in low-end bid". PC Week. 6 (32). Ziff-Davis: 119 via Gale.
  12. "Atlanta Firm Acquires Practical Peripherals". Los Angeles Times: C9. August 22, 1989. Archived from the original on July 6, 2023.
  13. 1 2 Battelle, John (September 7, 1992). "'Silicon Valley' Dream Shrinks With Computer Industry Technology". Los Angeles Times: 1. Archived from the original on July 6, 2023.
  14. "Business News". Thousand Oaks Star: D5. May 31, 1992 via Newspapers.com.
  15. Searles, Jack (June 9, 1992). "Modem-Maker Relocates". Los Angeles Times: 17 via Newspapers.com.
  16. 1 2 Searles, Jack (April 6, 1993). "Practical Cuts Modem Prices". Los Angeles Times: 8. Archived from the original on July 6, 2023.
  17. "People". Chicago Tribune: 5. October 25, 1993 via ProQuest.
  18. Searles, Jack (May 2, 1995). "Practical Peripherals Parent Has Operating Profit". Los Angeles Times: 19. Archived from the original on July 6, 2023.
  19. Searles, Jack (November 22, 1994). "Practical Peripherals' Parent Files Chapter 11". Los Angeles Times: 8. Archived from the original on July 6, 2023.
  20. 1 2 Searles, Jack (December 27, 1994). "Parent Company's Troubles Hit Practical Peripherals Hard". Los Angeles Times: 12. Archived from the original on April 18, 2021.
  21. Searles, Jack (September 5, 1995). "Practical Peripherals Parent Says Merger Talks Over". Los Angeles Times: A5. Archived from the original on July 6, 2023.
  22. Helft, Miguel (September 13, 1996). "Maker of Computer Parts to Lay Off 375". Los Angeles Times: 1. Archived from the original on July 6, 2023.
  23. "Hayes Plans to Ship New Faster Modems Despite Some Snafus". The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company: B2. March 21, 1997 via ProQuest.
  24. "Hayes Modem Assets Bought By Zoom Telephonics". Network Briefing. ComputerWire. April 8, 1999 via Gale.