Digital Communications Associates
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer and telecommunications technology |
| Founder | John Alderman |
| Fate | Acquired by Attachmate in 1995 |
| Headquarters | Alpharetta, Georgia , United States |
Key people | John Alderman (founder), Bertil Nordin (CEO from 1981), Garry Betty (CEO until 1996) |
| Products | T-1 multiplexers, terminal emulation software (Crosstalk Mk.4), Mac Mainframe hardware, 3270 emulators |
| Parent | Attachmate (from 1995) |
Digital Communication Associates, Inc. (DCA) was a firm specializing in computer and telecommunications technology, headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia, United States.
Overview
The company was established by John Alderman, who remained at the helm until 1981, when Bertil Nordin assumed leadership. DCA went public in February 1983, successfully raising $24 million through its initial offering. Garry Betty later served as CEO until 1996, when he left to join Earthlink.
DCA partnered with Intel to create the DCA/Intel Communicating Applications Specification (CAS), which defined a standardized programming interface for data communication software. Within CAS, the DCX format was adopted as the standard for storing fax images. The company manufactured T-1 multiplexers and was ultimately acquired by Attachmate, located in Bellevue, Washington, in 1995.
Acquisitions
During Bertil Nordin’s tenure, DCA grew through several strategic acquisitions:
- In 1981, it purchased Technical Analysis Corporation (TAC), recognized for producing the IRMA Board that allowed personal computers to emulate IBM 3270 terminals.
- September 1986 saw the acquisition of Cohesive Networks.
- Also in 1986, Microstuf was acquired; this company developed the Crosstalk Communications suite, which included the terminal emulation software Crosstalk Mk.4.
- In 1991, DCA added InterComputer Communications Corporation (ICC) to its portfolio; ICC specialized in INFOConnect terminal emulation and file transfer solutions tailored to Unisys systems.
- The 1992 acquisition of Avatar Technologies for $8 million expanded DCA’s offerings with Mac Mainframe hardware and 3270 emulators.