ON Technology
| Company type | Public (until 2003 acquisition) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Software |
| Founded | 1987 |
| Founder | Mitch Kapor |
| Fate | Acquired by Symantec |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Object-oriented desktop environment, MeetingMaker calendaring system, ON Command CCM desktop management software, email software (DaVinci), antivirus, corporate Internet monitoring, IP firewall technology, desktop systems management products |
| Parent | Symantec (from 2003) |
ON Technology Corporation was an American software company established in 1987 by Mitch Kapor following his departure from Lotus Software. The company initially concentrated on creating an object-oriented desktop environment for PCs, featuring multiple applications. In the early 1990s, it was acquired by Notework Corporation, a provider of LAN email systems. Despite being under Notework's management, the ON Technology name was preserved due to its stronger market presence.
Following the acquisition, ON Technology broadened its portfolio through various product and company acquisitions, incorporating email software (DaVinci), antivirus solutions, corporate Internet monitoring tools, IP firewall technology, and desktop systems management products.
The firm went public in 1995, enabling further expansion via acquisitions. Its go-to-market approach included offering a 30-day free trial alongside comprehensive marketing and telesales efforts aimed at small to medium-sized enterprises.
In 1998, ON Technology restructured by divesting its free-trial SMB product line to Elron Software, while maintaining its enterprise-oriented products: the MeetingMaker calendaring system and ON Command CCM desktop management software, both sold through a conventional enterprise sales framework.
Subsequently, ON Technology sold MeetingMaker to a private investor who later transferred it to PeopleCube. The primary remaining product was the systems management software known as "CCM."
On October 27, 2003, ON Technology was acquired by Symantec, enhancing Symantec’s capabilities in desktop systems management.