Micro Channel Developers Association
| Company type | Consortium |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer hardware |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Defunct | 1997 |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Micro Channel architecture promotion and technical information distribution |
The Micro Channel Developers Association (MCDA) was a consortium comprising computer manufacturers dedicated to promoting the Micro Channel architecture and facilitating the distribution of technical details to external parties.
History
Introduced by IBM in 1987 alongside the IBM PS/2, Micro Channel was designed as a successor to the Industry Standard Architecture originally developed by IBM. Nevertheless, the substantial licensing fees imposed by IBM prompted competitors such as Compaq to create the Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) in 1988. Although PS/2 systems achieved moderate market acceptance, Micro Channel’s restrictive licensing fostered a reputation of IBM as a patent holder with tight controls. In response, the MCDA was established in October 1990 to advocate for broader adoption of Micro Channel technology.
Joining the association required an annual membership fee of $2,500. Manufacturers aligned with EISA were also invited to participate, with outreach extended to prominent EISA companies including Compaq, Olivetti, and NEC. Initially, only 14 out of more than 800 developers engaged with Micro Channel became members; these included IBM, Intel, Chips and Technologies, NCR Corporation, Olivetti, Apricot Computers, Western Digital, Siemens Nixdorf, AOX Inc., Reply Corporation, Core International, Cumulus Corporation, and National Software Testing Laboratories. NEC joined shortly after in November 1990. By early 1992, membership had grown to encompass 92 companies.
Following IBM’s discontinuation of both Micro Channel and the PS/2 line in July 1995, the MCDA maintained oversight of hundreds of MCA products until May 1996, largely due to ongoing use within IBM’s IBM RS/6000 workstations and servers. The consortium ultimately ceased operations in 1997.
Member roster
- March 1992