Fifth Generation Systems

Fifth Generation Systems, Inc.

Company type	Private
Industry	Computer security software
Founded	October 1984 (1984-10) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
Founder	Robert Mitchell, Leroy Mitchell, Roger Ivey, Bruce Ray
Fate	Acquired by Symantec
Successor	Symantec
Headquarters	Baton Rouge , United States
Products	FastBack, CopyDoubler, DiskDoubler, DiskLock, PowerStation, Public Utilities, Pyro!, Search&Destroy, Suitcase, Super Laser Spool, Super Spool, Direct Access
Parent	Symantec (after 1993)

Fifth Generation Systems, Inc. was established in October 1984 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana by Robert Mitchell, Leroy Mitchell, Roger Ivey, and Bruce Ray as a company specializing in computer security. Following its purchase by Barry Bellue, the original founders departed amid accusations involving fraudulent activities and improper use of corporate funds. The company's primary product was FastBack, which served as an early rival to Symantec's Norton Backup.

Fifth Generation Systems software

• CopyDoubler (Mac) – a utility designed to speed up file transfers and handle copy queues
• DiskDoubler (Mac) – software providing real-time hard drive compression
• DiskLock (PC, Mac) – security application offering access restrictions and encryption capabilities
• FastBack (PC, Mac) – backup tool for hard drives
• PowerStation (Mac)
• Public Utilities (Mac) – disk management suite including optimization, repair, and data recovery functions created by Sentient Software
• Pyro! (Mac) – screensaver featuring fireworks and various visual effects
• Search&Destroy (PC) – antivirus program for DOS and Windows platforms, bundled with Novell DOS 7
• Suitcase (Mac) – font organization software
• Super Laser Spool and Super Spool (Mac) – printing spooler products obtained from Supermac Technology in 1990
• Direct Access – menu interface software for DOS

On October 4, 1993, Fifth Generation Systems was purchased by Symantec for $53.8 million.