Basic/Four

Basic/Four Corporation

Company type	Subsidiary (after acquisition)
Industry	Computer hardware, software
Predecessor	Management Assistance, Inc.
Founded	1971
Fate	Acquired by Softbrands Inc. in 2006
Headquarters	Irvine, California , United States
Products	Business BASIC interpreters, minicomputers, accounting software
Parent	Softbrands Inc.

Basic/Four represents a version of Business Basic initially created for computer systems launched in 1971 by Management Assistance, Inc., which later operated under the names Basic/Four Corporation, MAI Basic Four, Inc., and MAI Basic Four Information Systems. This product played a significant role in defining the business BASIC landscape, inspiring similar offerings on other minicomputer and subsequently microcomputer platforms such as the Apple III. It maintained a strong presence through the early 1980s until it was overtaken by more advanced microcomputers, leading MAI to concentrate on delivering pre-packaged Basic/Four accounting software solutions.

Founded in 1971 as a subsidiary of Management Assistance, Inc. in Irvine, California, Basic/Four Corporation initially marketed small business minicomputers based on CPUs from Microdata Corporation. By 1976, it had started promoting its own 16-bit CPU architectures. From 1976 to 1979, the company introduced a series of models numbered 200 through 730, offering a range of configurations including different memory capacities, terminal server options, and hard drive storage. By 1978, roughly 6,000 units had been installed.

As one of the earliest commercial business BASIC interpreters available, Basic/Four operated on an integrated operating system named BOSS. Its BASIC interpreter was programmed using TREE-META.

The mid-1980s surge of the IBM PC significantly reduced demand for MAI’s 16-bit machines. Following considerable financial setbacks, financier Bennett S. LeBow acquired the company in 1985. During this era, MAI rolled out accounting software compatible with third-party microcomputers and launched its own workstation based on the 80286 processor in 1988. The Basic4 platform found considerable adoption among small banking institutions and credit unions.

In 1988, LeBow leveraged MAI as a vehicle to attempt a hostile takeover of the larger rival Prime Computer, though this effort was unsuccessful. By 1990, the company had rebranded itself as MAI Systems Corporation, shifting focus towards system integration services that involved reselling external hardware alongside deploying proprietary software solutions.

In 2006, MAI Systems Corporation became fully owned by Softbrands Inc..

See also

• MAI Systems Corp. v. Peak Computer, Inc.

External links

• Overview of MAI's history
• Description of the M.A.I. S10 Basic Four microcomputer system
• Visuals and details of multiple Basic Four computer models