Alfaskop
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Information technology |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Defunct | 2001 |
| Fate | Bankruptcy |
| Headquarters | Sweden |
Number of employees | 660 (circa 2000) (2000) |
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Alfaskop was a Swedish brand created by Standard Radio & Telefon AB (SRT), initially assigned to data terminal devices and subsequently to IBM-compatible PC models. The name also identified Alfaskop AB, a publicly traded Swedish IT service provider that declared bankruptcy in 2001.
History
During the 1960s, SRT, then under the ownership of ITT Corporation, concentrated on developing Air Traffic Control and military radar systems. In 1971, SRT contributed foundational technology to Stansaab AS, a collaboration involving Saab and the state-run Swedish Development Company, aimed at real-time data systems for commercial and aviation sectors. The company expanded its portfolio in 1972 by incorporating Facit's data terminal operations.
Alfaskop terminals rapidly secured a significant position within the airline reservation market, with Scandinavian Airlines deploying approximately 1,000 units. In 1978, Stansaab merged with Saab’s Data Saab division, resulting in the establishment of Datasaab.
By 1981, Ericsson anticipated greater expansion in the IT sector compared to telecommunications and acquired Datasaab. Ericsson combined it with two of its own divisions to create Ericsson Information Systems (EIS). Foreseeing the merging of telephony and data technologies, EIS tasked the Alfaskop team with developing Ericsson’s inaugural PC—the EPC—which launched 16 months later in 1984.
After encountering challenges in the US market, including an underwhelming PC launch, Ericsson opted to discontinue its "paperless office" initiative. In 1988, the division was sold to Nokia and subsequently transferred to ICL in 1990. Ultimately, ICL sold it to Wyse Technology, which eventually ceased production operations.
The Alfaskop range
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Specializing in radar image display for the aviation sector was one of SRT's primary areas of expertise. This proficiency paved the way for the creation of the Alfaskop terminal, which drew inspiration from IBM's introduction of their display terminal series. These terminals significantly simplified user interaction with computers compared to earlier methods such as punched cards or paper tape. The alphanumeric terminal, featuring 80 characters per line and 24 lines, rapidly became an industry standard. Alfaskop terminals were engineered to be pin-compatible with IBM devices. The initial model, the Alfaskop 3100, was developed to rival the IBM 2260, while the subsequent 3500 model was designed as a competitor to the IBM 3270. Later iterations included an updated 3500 known as System 37 and a completely new design labeled System 41. Additionally, the 3500 series was manufactured in Poland under the MERA 7900 name.
Ericsson introduced its first personal computer, the EPC, at the CeBit exhibition in Hanover in 1984. This release was followed by the Ericsson Portable PC a year later. As the market demand for IBM-compatible personal computers grew, several models under the Alfaskop PC brand were launched.
While Ericsson aimed to establish its own identity within the PC market, Nokia opted to leverage the Alfaskop brand name. By 1989, Nokia presented the "Alfaskop Workgroup System," which included servers based on the 80386 processor, desktop computers with 80286 processors, and networking options such as Ethernet or Token Ring. The office software suite comprised Alfaskop Mail compatible with X400, WordPerfect, and Lotus Freelance. These systems were available with either MS-DOS or OS/2 operating systems.
Commercial success
The Alfaskop terminals achieved notable market success, at times surpassing IBM's sales in certain regions, especially within Sweden. By the early 1980s, profits had reached approximately one billion kronor. The customer base extended across airlines, newspapers, law enforcement agencies, municipal councils, and telecommunications firms.
A major advantage of these terminals was their compatibility with IBM systems combined with a lower price point. This pricing structure allowed for attractive discounts on bulk purchases, increasing their appeal. Given Alfaskop's significant contribution to profits—while other Stansaab/Datasaab product lines were operating at a loss—Ericsson invested 40 million kronor into expanding production facilities at Järfälla near Stockholm. Although Ericsson anticipated that their Eritex workstation (a hybrid telex and data terminal) would replace Alfaskop units, demand persisted strongly; by 1983, over 100,000 units had been sold with annual sales exceeding 25,000. Eritex was phased out by the mid-1980s. Production and delivery of Alfaskop terminals continued throughout Nokia’s ownership, culminating in over 900,000 units shipped before manufacturing ended.
Alfaskop AB
Beginning in 1990, Nokia Data promoted the establishment of multiple franchise partners to boost sales of personal computers and network solutions. By 1994, these entities were collaborating extensively, providing network technologies, Microsoft products, and systems integration services. The following year, in 1995, these companies consolidated into a single entity known as Alfaskop AB.
The firm went public on the Stockholm Stock Exchange in 1997.
At the turn of the millennium, Alfaskop employed 660 staff members across 18 locations within Sweden. However, by 2001, the company had declared bankruptcy, resulting in the dismissal of its remaining 400 employees. According to Business Wire, approximately half of these former employees secured positions at Meteorit AB, another IT consulting firm.