Convergent Technologies

Convergent Technologies, Inc.
Company type	Private
Industry	Computer hardware
Founded	1979
Founder	Allen Michels, Bob Garrow, Kal Hubler, Ben Wegbreit
Defunct	1988
Fate	Acquired by Unisys
Successor	Unisys Network Computing Group
Headquarters	United States, United States
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Allen Michels (CEO), Paul C. Ely Jr. (CEO from 1985), Ben Wegbreit, Matt Sanders, Steve Blank, Jon Huie, Richard Lowenthal
Products	Multi-processor systems, workstations, personal computers including IWS, AWS, MegaFrame, NGEN, WorkSlate, MiniFrame, AT&T UNIX PC, AT&T Personal Terminal 510, MightyFrame, Server PC
Number of employees	1,300 (1984)
Parent	Unisys (from 1988)

Convergent Technologies, Inc. was a United States-based computer manufacturer established in 1979 by former employees of Intel and Xerox PARC, including CEO Allen Michels, VP of Engineering Bob Garrow, marketing leader Kal Hubler, and operating system designer Ben Wegbreit. Functioning primarily as an OEM supplier, Convergent delivered multi-processor systems, workstations, and personal computers that were redistributed by companies such as ADP, AT&T, Burroughs/Unisys, Four-Phase Systems, Gould Electronics, Mohawk Data Sciences, NCR, and Prime Computer. By 1984, the company had grown to approximately 1,300 employees and was later acquired by Unisys in 1988.

History

The Distributed Systems division was responsible for managing the IWS, AWS, and NGEN product lines.

In 1982, Convergent launched the Data Systems division under Ben Wegbreit’s leadership to create the MegaFrame, described as "the first system upgradeable from super-minicomputer to mainframe." This division also produced the MiniFrame. Steve Blank, who directed marketing efforts, went on to establish several Silicon Valley startups including E.piphany and became a lecturer on technology entrepreneurship; Jon Huie headed Software operations, while Richard Lowenthal led Hardware development.

The Advanced Information Products division, managed by Matt Sanders, focused on the entry-level segment with an ambitious price target of $499. The "Ultra" team introduced WorkSlate in November 1983, recognized as one of the earliest mobile computing devices.

The Special Projects division handled product development for AT&T.

In January 1985, Paul C. Ely Jr., formerly of Hewlett-Packard, took over as CEO. That same year, UnixWorld highlighted Convergent as the sole supermicrocomputer provider successfully distributing products through high-volume OEM channels—a contrast to competitors like Fortune Systems. To foster OEM collaborations, Convergent offered equity shares and manufacturing licenses to partners such as Burroughs Corporation. Although aggressive pricing occasionally resulted in losses, these tactics broadened their market penetration.

October 1985 saw Michels, Sanders, Wegbreit, and another executive depart to establish The Dana Group. Shortly after, Convergent acquired a 40% ownership stake in Baron Data Systems for $14.6 million and completed full acquisition in May 1987 for $33 million.

Plans were underway in March 1986 for Convergent to acquire 3Com; however, the proposed merger was cancelled at the final stage.

In 1988, Unisys purchased Convergent Technologies, integrating it into the Unisys Network Computing Group (NCG).

IWS

Launched in 1980, Convergent’s inaugural product was the IWS (Integrated Workstation), powered by a 5 MHz Intel 8086 microprocessor with an optional Intel 8087 math coprocessor. The WS-110 model combined processor, memory I/O, and video display controller boards along with two Multibus slots into a distinctive "lectern" base positioned adjacent to the monitor. The WS-120 enclosed these components plus five Multibus slots within a floor-standing cabinet that could be paired with mass storage devices. Its video subsystem supported "soft fonts," enabling character sets to be modified dynamically in RAM rather than being fixed in ROM.

Burroughs marketed the IWS as the B22, while NCR sold it under the name WorkSaver 100 and Savin offered it as the Information Station 2000.

AWS

Introduced in November 1981, the AWS (Application Workstation) represented a more affordable desktop variant that utilized an Intel 8275 CRT controller rather than the custom video hardware found in the IWS. Both the IWS and AWS operated compatibly within an RS-422 clustered network, running Convergent’s proprietary Convergent Technologies Operating System (CTOS). In December 1982, Convergent released the AWS Turbo Color Graphics Workstation, which incorporated the NEC 7220 graphics controller accompanied by 128 KB of display memory.

The AWS was marketed under various names by different companies: Burroughs rebranded it as the B21, Bull offered it as Corail B4000, Prime Computer sold it as the Prime Producer 100—a workstation focused on word processing—NCR called it WorkSaver 200, and Savin named it Information Station 1000.

MegaFrame

The MegaFrame (S/1280), launched in August 1983, featured up to eight Motorola 68010-based "Application Processors" running at 10 MHz, executing CTIX—a UNIX System III derivative. These communicated with I/O processor boards based on 8 MHz Intel 80186 chips running streamlined CTOS variants: File Processor ("fpCTOS"), Cluster Processor ("cpCTOS"), Terminal Processor ("tpCTOS"), and Storage Processor ("spCTOS"). Each processor was equipped with dedicated RAM ranging from 512 KB to 4 MB for Application Processors and between 256 KB and 768 KB for I/O processors. The architecture supported up to 36 boards, comprising six in the main enclosure plus up to five expansion units holding six boards each. Each File Processor supported a maximum of four disks.

Burroughs/Unisys resold the MegaFrame as the XE550 running CENTIX and BTOS; earlier versions XE500 and XE520 did not include Application Processors. Motorola/Four-Phase distributed it under the name System 6600.

NGEN

The AWS was succeeded in late 1983 by the modular NGEN (Next Generation) workstation, which was built around the Intel 80186 microprocessor. For users of Burroughs and later Unisys systems, it appeared as the B25, while Prime Computer marketed it as the Prime Producer 200. Bull offered it as the Questar 400, and NCR sold it under the WorkSaver 300 brand. The NGEN also supported MS-DOS running on top of CTOS and was marketed by McDonnell Douglas Computer Systems Company (formerly Microdata Corporation) as the M1000, which included their Pick-based Reality relational database. Datapoint released a version called Vista-PC featuring MS-DOS, Mohawk Data Sciences launched the MDS HERO, and Telenorma/Bosch marketed it as Isy. Other original equipment manufacturers included Gould Power Station and A. B. Dick Knowledge Worker.

Subsequent NGEN iterations—the Series 286 (Burroughs B28), Series 386 (B38), and Series 386i (B39)—aligned with Intel’s CPU advancements up to the Intel 80386. In 1993, five years after acquiring Convergent Technologies, Unisys introduced its successor, SuperGen, which was based on the Intel 80486 processor.

WorkSlate

Debuting in November 1983, the WorkSlate was among the earliest tablet-style personal computers developed and marketed by Convergent, featuring industrial design by Mike Nuttall. The device was approximately one inch thick and roughly matched the size of a standard sheet of paper, offering a spreadsheet-oriented user interface. It utilized mini-cassettes for recording voice/data and loading pre-packaged applications known as TaskWare—software designed for functions such as expense tracking and calendar management. Since these applications were distributed solely via cassettes due to lack of internet delivery methods, availability was limited.

Developed within a tight twelve-month schedule, the WorkSlate suffered from insufficient testing and underperformance in use, which led to disappointing sales figures. Production ceased by mid-1984.

MiniFrame

In May 1984, Convergent launched the MiniFrame, a system based on the Motorola 68010 processor, running the CTIX operating system. It came equipped with 512 KB of onboard memory, expandable up to 2 MB through stackable expansion modules that included Ethernet, eight RS-232 ports, and additional memory. This MiniFrame platform later served as the basis for the development of the AT&T UNIX PC.

Among its resellers were NCR and Burroughs. Gould distributed it under the name Powerstation 2000 featuring UTX/2000, while Motorola marketed it as the System 6300 within the Four-Phase Systems Series 6000 lineup. To cater to their EMEA clientele, Motorola/Four-Phase enhanced Unix platforms with international character support using CTOS/CTIX systems.

AT&T UNIX PC

Convergent was responsible for creating AT&T’s initial OEM UNIX product utilizing the Motorola 68010, unveiling the AT&T UNIX PC in March 1985. This system incorporated innovations such as stream-oriented I/O and multilingual support built on the Intel AT&T UNIX foundation (SVR3.2). Additionally, Convergent offered this model directly under their own branding as the S/50.

AT&T Personal Terminal 510

The integrated voice and data terminal models 510A (analog) and 510D (digital) were developed by Convergent for AT&T and released in March 1985. The 510A was compatible with POTS lines, while the 510D interfaced with AT&T System 75/85 PBX systems. Both featured a unique gel-based 9-inch touchscreen designed to provide a soft and cushioned tactile experience.

MightyFrame

In 1986, Convergent introduced the MightyFrame series—VME-based systems including models S/80, S/120, S/221, S/222, S/280, S/320, S/480, and S/640—powered by Motorola 68020 and 68040 CPUs and operating on CTIX.

Server PC

The Server PC debuted in 1987 featuring a 20-MHz Intel 386 processor running CTIX/386 (SVR3). Its Merge 386 software allowed concurrent execution of Unix and DOS applications, enabling it to serve both as a PC server and a Unix system supporting up to 32 users.

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