Borland Announces Sale of Consumer Products To Starfish Software; Agreement Reinforces Company's Focus on Software Developers.SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 13, 1995--Borland International Inc. today announced the sale of its consumer software products -- Sidekick The first popular popup program for DOS PCs, introduced by Borland in 1984. Sidekick included a calculator, notepad, calendar, phone dialer and ASCII table and popularized the concept of a terminate and stay resident (TSR) utility. for Windows and Dashboard for Windows -- to Starfish Software Starfish was founded in 1994 by Philippe Kahn, best known for his invention of the camera phone and his most recent company Fullpower Technologies. The founding vision of Starfish was global synchronization and integration of wireless and wireline devices, which translated with the , a new company headed by Philippe Kahn Philippe Kahn (born March 16, 1952)[1] is an American technology innovator and entrepreneur, French-born, known as the founder of Borland, a producer of software development tools for as well as Starfish Software, the creator of the first wireless synchronization , who is also Borland's chairman. Consistent with the company's previously announced strategy to focus on software developers, Borland will discontinue dis·con·tin·ue v. dis·con·tin·ued, dis·con·tin·u·ing, dis·con·tin·ues v.tr. 1. To stop doing or providing (something); end or abandon: its Simplify consumer products division. The transaction, terms of which were not disclosed, is subject to certain closing conditions. As part of the transaction, Borland will receive a minority equity position in Starfish Software, but will not be involved in management or operational aspects of the venture. In addition, a majority of Borland Simplify's 35 employees will be offered positions with Starfish Software. "Borland's strategic focus is on the software developer market, and the Borland Simplify division was clearly not consistent with our long-term plans," said Gary Wetsel, president, Borland International. "This agreement accomplishes several important objectives. First, it allows us to dedicate ded·i·cate tr.v. ded·i·cat·ed, ded·i·cat·ing, ded·i·cates 1. To set apart for a deity or for religious purposes; consecrate. 2. 100 percent of our resources to creating and marketing leading-edge products for software developers and it provides an exciting future for Sidekick and Dashboard customers. In addition, our equity in Starfish provides a potential long-term benefit." "This is a great deal for Borland because it is exactly in line with the strategic re-focus it has begun," said David Coursey, editor and publisher of P.C. Letter, a leading PC industry newsletter. "Delphi, Borland's new object-oriented, visual development tool, showcased last week at Demo 95, is exactly the type of product Borland does best. Spinning off Sidekick and Dashboard to a consumer-focused company is a logical move which will provide growth opportunities for both companies." Effective immediately, Starfish Software will assume responsibility for supporting Sidekick and Dashboard customers as well as contractual obligations. Borland will continue to provide certain services, such as warehousing, for a transition period. As part of the agreement, Borland retains the rights to bundle Sidekick and Dashboard with its other products through September 1995. Philippe Kahn remains chairman of Borland's board of directors and will continue to serve in an advisory role in long-term strategic planning Strategic planning is an organization's process of defining its strategy, or direction, and making decisions on allocating its resources to pursue this strategy, including its capital and people. and technology vision. Separately, he will also serve as chairman of Starfish Software. About Starfish Software Starfish Software is a new software venture headed by Philippe Kahn which is focused on developing a new line of high-quality, simple but powerful tools to help people around the world use their personal computers to become better organized and more productive. Starfish Software has been operating out of temporary headquarters in Scotts Valley, California Scotts Valley is a small city located in eastern Santa Cruz County, California, United States, about ten miles (16 km) south of San Jose and six miles (10 km) north of the beach in the upland slope of the Santa Cruz Mountains. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 11,385. , and next month will move into new offices in Santa Cruz, California Santa Cruz is the county seat and largest city of Santa Cruz County, California, United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, Santa Cruz had a total population of 54,593. . The company currently has eight employees and plans to add more next week as members of the Borland Simplify product team move to Starfish Software. About Borland International Borland International Inc. (NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on :BORL) is a leading provider of products and services targeted to software developers. Borland is distinguished for its high-quality software development tools, which include Borland C++, dBASE, Paradox and Borland Pascal. Borland's award-winning products are supported through comprehensive programs for small- and large-sized software developers, corporate developers, value added resellers See VAR. (company) value added reseller - (VAR, or "value added retailer") A company which sells something (e.g. computers) made by another company (an OEM) with extra components added (e.g. specialist software). and systems integrators. Founded in 1983, Borland is headquartered in Scotts Valley, California. CONTACT: Borland International Inc. Steve Grady, 408/431-1621 Internet: sgrady@wpo.borland.com Holland-McAllister PR (for Starfish Software) Fred Holland, 415/638-2320 |
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