Wicat Systems
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Educational technology, Computer software |
| Founded | January 1, 1980 in Orem, Utah, United States |
| Founder | Dustin H. Heuston |
| Fate | Acquired by Jostens in 1992 |
| Headquarters | Orem , United States |
Area served | Education sector, Aviation training |
Key people | Dustin H. Heuston (founder) |
| Products | Multi-user computer platforms, Educational software, Computer-based training programs, Flight simulators |
Number of employees | 500 (mid-1980s) |
| Parent | Jostens (from 1992) |
Wicat Systems, Inc., established in 1980 in Orem, Utah by Dustin H. Heuston, was a U.S.-based firm specializing in computer and software solutions for education technology. Originating as a division of the World Institute for Computer-Assisted Teaching (which later became the Wicat Education Institute), Wicat Systems initially developed multi-user computer platforms tailored for educational settings before transitioning to focus primarily on educational software development during the early 1990s. The company was among the pioneers to utilize the Motorola 68000 microprocessor, debuting its Wicat System 100 in 1980.
History
During its peak in the mid-1980s, Wicat Systems employed approximately 500 individuals and operated with an annual budget near $40 million. In 1985, it entered into a partnership with Control Data Corporation, forming the joint venture Plato/Wicat. This collaboration merged Control Data’s Plato educational software with Wicat’s products to offer integrated educational services such as courseware, assessment tools, and classroom management systems.
In 1992, Jostens acquired Wicat Systems through a stock transaction valued at roughly $111 million. This acquisition was intended to help Jostens broaden its reach beyond its preschool-oriented Jostens Learning division into secondary and post-secondary education markets by utilizing Wicat’s software assets.
Between the late 1980s and 1996, Wicat maintained a UK office located in Camberley, Surrey, where it developed computer-based training (CBT) programs and partial cockpit simulators for aviation industry clients including leading airlines and aircraft manufacturers. These training solutions catered to pilots, cabin crew, and ground personnel. Additionally, Wicat provided services to non-aviation organizations such as Norfolk Southern Railway.
By concentrating on educational software and simulation technologies, Wicat established itself as a prominent entity within the growing field of computer-assisted learning throughout its years of operation.