Centurion Computer Corporation

Centurion Computer Corporation was a small-business computer manufacturer based in Richardson, Texas. Its origins lay in Warrex Computer Services, a consulting and programming business founded by John Warren in 1971. The enterprise incorporated in 1972 as Warrex Corporation and initially worked in computer services before moving into the sale and support of magnetic-tape cassette systems. Its computer products were marketed through a related company, Warrex Computer Corporation, which used an independent-dealer network in the United States rather than relying exclusively on a direct sales force. By August 1974, the company had designed and manufactured its first minicomputer and combined it with peripherals and software into an integrated small-business system. This became the starting point for the Centurion family. The company’s products were aimed at organizations that needed business data processing but could not justify or manage the larger systems associated with major mainframe and established minicomputer vendors. Its systems typically used customized display terminals, multiplexer hardware for connecting keyboards, printers, displays, and remote units, and controllers for commercially available storage equipment. Rather than developing proprietary storage media, Centurion generally built controllers for off-the-shelf disk systems, including equipment associated with Control Data Corporation. The company expanded its physical presence during the mid-1970s, opening a second Warrex branch in Fort Worth during the winter of 1976. Warren died suddenly in June of that year and was succeeded as president and chief executive by Brendan Morgan. In March 1980, the business formally adopted the Centurion Computer Corporation name, aligning the corporate identity with its computer product family. Electronic Data Systems acquired Centurion in March 1981 for $7 million. Under EDS ownership, Centurion opened an international division in Scarborough, Ontario, led by David Snell. Centurion of Ontario was among the relatively small number of Canadian minicomputer manufacturers active at the time and competed with Toronto-based Geac Computer and MLPI Business Systems. During the EDS period, Centurion also produced an IBM PC-compatible computer from commercially available components. EDS used the project in negotiations with IBM: it wanted to buy PCs from IBM at a lower price, and the Centurion-built clone demonstrated that EDS could obtain a compatible alternative if necessary. EDS ultimately had no stated intention of becoming a major IBM PC competitor, and IBM reduced its proposed pricing. After roughly three years under EDS ownership, a group of twelve former Centurion employees and other previous insiders bought the company back. The investor group was led by James H. Smith, who became president. The new owners announced plans to update the minicomputer range and broaden the authorized reseller network, but the transaction’s terms were not disclosed. The independent company encountered severe financial pressure soon afterward. Approximately one year after the buyback, Centurion filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States. It submitted a reorganization plan to Texas bankruptcy courts in November 1985 and was permitted to emerge from bankruptcy. By February 1986, however, the business had been reduced to ten employees. The available record does not establish the company’s later operating status, product sales, or a definitive closure date. Centurion remains of interest to vintage-computing researchers, including restoration work on surviving Centurion microcomputers.

Centurion’s corporate history began with Warrex Computer Services, founded by John Warren in 1971. The business originally provided consulting and programming services. In 1972, it was incorporated in Richardson, Texas, as Warrex Corporation and entered the market for magnetic-tape cassette computer systems. A related Richardson company, Warrex Computer Corporation, sold and supported those systems through independent dealers located across the United States. This channel strategy gave the company national reach without the infrastructure of the larger computer manufacturers. The company moved from services and system support into original hardware development during the first half of the 1970s. By August 1974, it had designed and manufactured a minicomputer, packaged it with peripherals and software, and delivered it as the first member of what became the Centurion family. The products were intended for small-business computing. Their architecture included communications and peripheral interfaces that allowed multiple devices to operate through independent channels. During the winter of 1976, Warrex Computer Corporation opened a second branch office in Fort Worth, Texas. Warren died suddenly in June 1976. Brendan Morgan succeeded him as president and CEO. The business continued developing and selling small-business systems, and in March 1980 formally changed its name from Warrex Corporation to Centurion Computer Corporation. The new name reflected the established product identity and marked the company’s transition from its Warrex origins to a dedicated computer-manufacturing brand. In March 1981, Electronic Data Systems acquired Centurion for $7 million. The acquisition gave Centurion access to a larger corporate parent while retaining its identity as a computer supplier. Soon afterward, Centurion established its first international division in Scarborough, Ontario, under David Snell. The Ontario operation participated in Canada’s small minicomputer market, where it competed with Toronto-based Geac Computer and MLPI Business Systems. During the EDS period, Centurion also built an IBM PC-compatible clone using off-the-shelf components. The project served EDS’s purchasing negotiations with IBM rather than representing a stated plan to enter direct competition with IBM. EDS wanted IBM to lower its proposed pricing for PCs; demonstrating that Centurion could assemble a compatible machine provided negotiating leverage, and IBM subsequently reduced its offer. After approximately three years of EDS ownership, twelve investors who had previously worked for Centurion, including some co-founders, purchased the company back. James H. Smith led the group and became president. The buyback terms were not made public. Management announced plans for updated minicomputers and a larger authorized-reseller network, indicating an attempt to revive the company through refreshed products and broader distribution. The turnaround did not prevent a rapid deterioration in the company’s finances. Roughly a year after the buyback, Centurion filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. In November 1985, it submitted reorganization plans to bankruptcy courts in Texas and was permitted to leave bankruptcy. The recovery was limited: by February 1986, the company had only ten employees. The available reference record does not document subsequent ownership, product releases, sales, or a formal dissolution. In later years, surviving machines became subjects of vintage-computer restoration projects.

• 1986

  Company emerges with ten employees

  [1]Centurion Computer Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  Centurion was permitted to exit bankruptcy, but its workforce had declined to ten employees by February.

• 1985

  Chapter 11 reorganization

  [1]Centurion Computer Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  Centurion filed for Chapter 11 and submitted a reorganization plan to Texas bankruptcy courts in November.

• 1984

  Management-led buyback

  [1]Centurion Computer Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  A group of twelve former Centurion insiders bought the company back from EDS, with James H. Smith becoming president.

• 1981

  Acquisition by Electronic Data Systems

  [1]Centurion Computer Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  EDS acquired Centurion for $7 million, after which the company established its first international division in Ontario.

• 1980

  Warrex becomes Centurion Computer Corporation

  [1]Centurion Computer Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  The company formally changed its name in March 1980.

• 1976

  Leadership changes after Warren’s death

  [1]Centurion Computer Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  John Warren died in June, and Brendan Morgan became president and CEO. A second branch had also opened in Fort Worth during the winter.

• 1974

  First Centurion minicomputer delivered

  [1]Centurion Computer Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  The company completed and delivered its first integrated small-business minicomputer with peripherals and software.

• 1972

  Warrex Corporation is incorporated

  [1]Centurion Computer Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  The successor business was incorporated in Richardson, Texas, and began selling and supporting magnetic-tape cassette computer systems.

• 1971

  Warrex Computer Services is founded

  [1]Centurion Computer Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  John Warren founded Warrex Computer Services, the predecessor of Centurion.

A dealer-distributed supplier of integrated, relatively compact business-computing systems for small and medium-sized organizations, positioned between standalone office equipment and larger corporate computer installations.

• Minicomputers · 1974

  Centurion family of small-business computers

  Centurion’s main product line consisted of compact business computers supplied as integrated systems with software and peripherals. The systems were designed for small-business data processing and were commonly sold through independent dealers. Their configurations supported multiple terminals, printers, and remote connections through multiplexer and modem interfaces.

• Small computer

  MicroPlus

  MicroPlus was one of the identified Centurion computer systems. The available reference specifically distinguishes it from other Centurion systems because it was not equipped by default with the company’s standard four-port multiplexer. Further model specifications are not established in the supplied material.

• Computer peripherals

  Centurion display and peripheral systems

  Centurion systems used customized video display units, including the R-40, R-100, and CT-520 types. These connected to the main computer through RS-232 or modem links. Printer support could use teletype equipment or specialized controller cards compatible with commercially available printers.

• Storage and communications hardware

  Centurion storage controllers

  The company generally did not manufacture its own storage media. Instead, it produced controllers for existing commercial storage systems, especially equipment associated with Control Data Corporation. Centurion systems used a 400-byte data-block format, with remaining native block capacity used for control information such as checksums.

• IBM PC-compatible computer

  Centurion IBM PC-compatible computer

  While owned by EDS, Centurion assembled an IBM PC-compatible clone from off-the-shelf components. EDS used the system as a negotiating instrument in discussions over IBM PC pricing and was not described as intending to build a long-term competing PC business.

• 1985

  Reorganize under Chapter 11Strategy

  Background

  Centurion experienced financial difficulties roughly one year after returning to independent ownership.

  Action taken

  The company filed for Chapter 11 protection and submitted a reorganization plan to Texas bankruptcy courts in November 1985.

  Aftermath

  The courts allowed Centurion to exit bankruptcy, but the company had only ten employees by February 1986.

  Source

• 1984

  Former insiders buy Centurion back from EDSM&A

  Background

  After roughly three years as an EDS subsidiary, former Centurion employees and other prior insiders sought to restore independent ownership.

  Action taken

  A twelve-investor group led by James H. Smith completed a buyback from EDS.

  Aftermath

  The new company announced updated minicomputers and plans to expand its authorized reseller base. The transaction terms were undisclosed.

  Source

• 1981

  Sell the company to Electronic Data SystemsM&A

  Background

  Centurion was an established small-business computer manufacturer operating from Texas.

  Action taken

  EDS purchased Centurion for $7 million in March 1981.

  Aftermath

  Centurion opened an Ontario division and developed an IBM PC-compatible clone as part of EDS’s purchasing negotiations with IBM.

  Acquisition price. $7 million (March 1981)

  Source

• 1980

  Adopt the Centurion corporate identityStrategy

  Background

  The company had developed a branded family of small-business computers while operating under the Warrex name.

  Action taken

  In March 1980, it formally changed its corporate name to Centurion Computer Corporation.

  Aftermath

  The Centurion name became the primary corporate and product identity used in the available historical record.

  Source

1. 1Centurion Computer Corporationen.wikipedia.org