Datavue
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Financial technology |
| Founded | 1973 |
| Founder | Terry Hughey, Charles Muench |
| Headquarters | Norcross, Georgia , United States |
| Products | Fintech software |
CoreCard Corporation is a United States-based financial technology firm with its headquarters located in Norcross, Georgia. Established in 1973, the company originally operated under the name Intelligent Systems Corporation, functioning through multiple manufacturing subsidiaries that marketed portable computers, video terminals, expansion cards, and various other peripheral devices. In 1987, the organization underwent restructuring into a master limited partnership, adopting the name Intelligent Systems Master Limited Partnership.
Among its principal subsidiaries were Datavue Corporation, which specialized in portable computer production; Quadram Corporation, known for manufacturing expansion cards for the IBM PC, including memory and video cards such as the (Quadram Quadcolor I & II); Princeton Graphic Systems, a producer of computer monitors; and Intecolor Corporation, responsible for terminal manufacturing.
Throughout the 1990s, Intelligent Systems shifted its emphasis toward venture capital investments within technology startups and reverted to its original corporate name. In 2021, the entity rebranded as CoreCard Corporation to better represent its strategic transition into the fintech sector.
Intecolor and Compucolor (1973–1980)
Founded in 1973 by Terry Hughey and Charles Muench in Norcross, Georgia, Intelligent Systems Corporation began its journey in the burgeoning video terminal industry fueled by time-shared mainframe computing. Muench, an engineer with prior experience founding Integrated Systems—focused on remote alarm solutions for the electric power sector—brought Hughey on board as director of research and development following the sale of Integrated Systems in 1972. February 1976 saw the launch of the Intecolor 8001, a smart terminal kit featuring an Intel 8080 microprocessor with 4 KB RAM and an 80x25 text display. By December that year, this evolved into the Compucolor 8001, a comprehensive microcomputer kit equipped with 8 KB RAM, Microsoft BASIC stored in ROM, and a data tape reader utilizing adapted 8-track tapes—marking it as the first microcomputer kit integrating keyboard, monitor, and color graphics.
In October 1976, Hughey departed to focus on advanced graphics through his new venture Chromatics Inc., while Muench directed development of the CompuColor II (1978). This successor model featured cost reductions by replacing tape storage with floppy disks and adopting a smaller 13-inch monitor. Despite these improvements, its price point remained prohibitive for typical consumers, leading to its discontinuation by 1980. Subsequently, Intelligent Systems concentrated on high-end enterprise terminals. The terminal division was later spun off as Intecolor Corporation, functioning as an independent subsidiary.
Expanding operations (1983–1990)
In 1983, Intelligent Systems broadened its scope by acquiring Quadram Corporation—a manufacturer of personal computer expansion cards—for $35 million paid in stock. Quadram’s founder J. Leland Strange stayed on and was appointed CEO of Intelligent Systems in 1988. Shortly thereafter, Intelligent Systems also acquired Datavue Corporation, an early innovator in portable computers. That year, the company reported $90 million in revenue and introduced Prints and Graphics products for computer printers in 1984. Quadram played a role in developing the enhanced EMS standard for DOS memory management alongside Ashton-Tate and AST Research; this standard was published in 1985. In December of that year, Quadram purchased a stake in Video Seven, known for producing EGA-compatible graphics cards such as the Quad EGA+ and Vega Card that extended standard capabilities.
In May 1985, Intelligent Systems acquired Peachtree Software from Management Science America. Peachtree was recognized for its widely used accounting software aimed at home users and personal computers.
By late 1986, after experiencing a decline from peak share prices, Intelligent Systems announced plans to divest several divisions. Early in 1987, it restructured into a master limited partnership under the name Intelligent Systems Master Limited Partnership. Although it rescinded some divestiture plans by September that year, Peachtree Software's management purchased their division for $20 million cash in August 1988. Nearly a year later, Intelligent Systems sold Quadram’s consumer PC expansion cards and peripherals to National Semiconductor. The remaining Quadram assets—including the Quad386XT accelerator board, token-ring network card, and PS/2 memory expansions—were consolidated into Q/Cor within Intelligent Systems. Despite generating $50 million in sales during 1986 and ranking among Intelligent Systems’ most recognized divisions, Quadram reportedly either broke even or incurred losses when compared to more profitable units like Princeton Graphics ($20 million sales) and Intecolor ($50 million sales).
Post-divestiture and strategic shifts (1990–present)
In January 1989, World Wide Technology acquired Princeton Graphic Systems, allowing the brand to persist well into the new millennium. Meanwhile, Datavue was transferred to private ownership, and both Intecolor and Peachtree were purchased by their management teams with financial backing from Muench, thus returning these companies to private control. Throughout the 1990s, Intelligent Systems redirected its efforts towards venture capital investments in emerging technology firms and reinstated its original name, Intelligent Systems Corporation. By the mid-2010s, the company transitioned into the fintech industry, culminating in a rebranding to CoreCard Corporation in 2021, a name derived from its fintech software subsidiary established in 2001.