SMT Goupil
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | IT company |
| Founded | 1979 |
| Founder | Claude Perdrillat |
| Defunct | 1991 |
| Products | Computers |
SMT Goupil (SMT standing for "Society of Microcomputing and Telecommunications") was a French information technology firm established in 1979 by Claude Perdrillat, who had previously held a senior position at the General Directorate of Telecommunications.
Throughout the 1980s, the company manufactured a variety of microcomputers, primarily targeting French governmental bodies. However, this sector experienced a sharp decline in the late 1980s due to substantial public sector budget reductions and intense competition from major players such as IBM, Apple, and Olivetti.
Although burdened with debts amounting to 40 million francs, SMT Goupil proceeded with a public offering in 1985, at which time it claimed to control 15% of the French microcomputer market. By January 1990, the company reported an increase, holding an 18% share within France's professional microcomputer segment.
In June 1991, SMT Goupil declared bankruptcy; financial disclosures revealed liabilities totaling 700 million francs alongside a revenue figure of 830 million francs for the year 1990.
Models
The initial Goupil G1 and G2 units were built around the Motorola 6808 CPU and operated on the FLEX OS, characterized by a unique integrated design featuring slate blue and red elements.
The G3 model broadened its appeal by incorporating support for three processors selectable during startup: Motorola 6809, Zilog Z80, and Intel 8088. This versatility allowed it to run various operating systems such as Flex 9, UniFLEX, MS-DOS, CP/M, and UCSD Pascal. Designed by Roger Tallon, the G3 included a built-in 12-inch monochrome display, dual floppy disk drives, and expansion capabilities.
Later iterations transitioned toward IBM PC compatibility to meet governmental requirements.
Significant SMT Goupil computer models by launch year:
- 1979: Goupil G1, entry-level desktop computer
- 1981: Goupil G2, customizable desktop comparable to the Micral
- 1983: Goupil G3, network-enabled device compatible with multiple operating systems
- 1985: Goupil G4, PC-compatible desktop system
- 1986: Goupil G40, server variant based on the G4 desktop
- 1986: Goupil Club, licensed PC-compatible portable model derived from Kaypro 2000
- 1988: Goupil G5, range of PC-compatible desktop computers
- 1988: Goupil Golf, portable PC-compatible computer equipped with an integrated CD-ROM drive
- 1990: Goupil G50, tower server version of the G5 series
- 1990: Goupil G100, UNIX server designed by SFENA incorporating input-output co-processors
- 1991: Goupil G6, PC-compatible desktop machine
- 1991: Goupil TOP, laptop featuring a 10" backlit LCD running MS-DOS 5.0 and later Windows 3.1; available in TOP (80286 processor at 12.5 MHz) and TOP SX (80386SX processor at 20 MHz) variants, both equipped with 20 MB hard drives
See also
- Computing for All, France's government program aimed at integrating computers into education
- Computer companies of France
- Computer science education in France
- Computing for All
- Defunct computer hardware companies
- Defunct computer systems companies
- French companies established in 1979
- French companies disestablished in 1991
- History of computing in France
- Companies formerly listed on Euronext Paris
- 1980s initial public offerings