Rexon

Rexon was a United States technology company that began as Rexon Business Machines in 1978. It was founded in Culver City, California, by Ben C. Wang, who had previously founded Wangco. The company initially developed and sold small-business computer systems, building a position in the business-computing market through proprietary hardware and software rather than by simply reselling the systems of larger manufacturers. Rexon’s computer products were based on the proprietary RECAP operating system and used Thoroughbred Basic, a Business Basic superset that incorporated operating-system primitives directly into the programming environment. This combination was intended to provide an integrated platform for small and medium-sized business applications. Rexon systems remained in service for many years after the company disappeared, and specialist efforts were later undertaken to convert Rexon and RECAP software for operation in Microsoft Windows environments. The company’s most important later business was data storage. Rexon became a significant manufacturer and supplier of magnetic tape drives and related products, including technologies associated with QIC and DAT/DDS formats. Its WangTek subsidiary, founded in 1982 and based in Simi Valley, California, produced QIC tape drives. In 1991, Rexon acquired WangDAT, a manufacturer of DAT/DDS tape drives. Rexon also expanded through the acquisition of Tecmar in 1986, adding products and capabilities in computer peripherals, storage, and related technologies. Rexon operated manufacturing facilities in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and Singapore, while also maintaining United States operations. Its businesses included the SyTron backup-software division, which was based in Westboro, Massachusetts, as well as the Scientific Solutions activities associated with the Tecmar acquisition. At its peak, Rexon was an important participant in the development and sale of magnetic tape data-storage products during a period when removable tape was widely used for business backup and archiving. The company traded on NASDAQ under the symbol REXN. Competitive pressure, operational restructuring, and the difficult economics of its businesses eventually led to facility closures and consolidation. Before filing for bankruptcy, Rexon closed facilities in Solon, Ohio, and Ponce, Puerto Rico, and moved operations to Longmont, Colorado. Rexon filed for bankruptcy protection in 1995. During the bankruptcy process, the SyTron business was sold to Arcada Software, while Scientific Solutions was spun off. Legacy Storage Systems, a Canadian company, acquired Rexon out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1995. Following the transaction, the business was renamed Tecmar Technologies, Inc., and continued as an independent subsidiary. Legacy later changed its name to Tecmar Technologies International in 1997. In 2000, the assets of Tecmar Technologies, Inc. were sold to Overland Data. By 2007, the Tecmar, WangTek, and WangDAT brands were no longer in use. Rexon therefore survives primarily as a historical technology name, although some of its computer systems and software remained operational and subject to migration or preservation efforts years after the company’s corporate demise.

Rexon originated in 1978 as Rexon Business Machines in Culver City, California. Its founder, Ben C. Wang, had previously founded Wangco. Rexon entered the small-business computer market with systems built around its own RECAP operating system and Thoroughbred Basic. Thoroughbred Basic was described as a superset of Business Basic that placed operating-system primitives within the programming language, giving applications a closely integrated development and runtime environment. The company later expanded beyond general-purpose business computers into computer peripherals and data storage. Magnetic tape became central to its identity and commercial importance. Rexon developed and sold tape-drive products while building a portfolio through subsidiaries and acquisitions. WangTek was established as a Rexon subsidiary in 1982 in Simi Valley, California, and manufactured QIC tape drives. Rexon acquired Tecmar in 1986, adding a broader set of peripheral and technology activities. In 1991, it acquired WangDAT, a manufacturer of DAT/DDS tape drives. These businesses placed Rexon within the market for removable backup and archival storage at a time when magnetic tape was a common medium for business data protection. Rexon’s wider corporate structure included the SyTron backup-software vendor, based in Westboro, Massachusetts, and Scientific Solutions, which came into the group through the Tecmar transaction. The company also maintained factories in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and Singapore. Rexon was publicly traded on NASDAQ under the ticker REXN and became a notable supplier in the tape-storage sector. Its products served both computer-system users and organizations seeking backup, archiving, and data-transfer equipment. The business eventually encountered operational and financial difficulties. Prior to its bankruptcy, Rexon closed its Solon, Ohio, and Ponce, Puerto Rico, facilities and consolidated operations in Longmont, Colorado. It filed for bankruptcy in 1995. The restructuring separated some of the company’s activities: Scientific Solutions was spun off, while SyTron was sold to Arcada Software on July 28, 1995. Legacy Storage Systems, a Canadian company, acquired Rexon from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1995. The acquired company was renamed Tecmar Technologies, Inc., and operated as an independent subsidiary. In 1997, Legacy changed its corporate name to Tecmar Technologies International. The assets of Tecmar Technologies, Inc. were later sold to Overland Data in 2000. By 2007, the Tecmar, WangTek, and WangDAT names were no longer in use, marking the effective end of Rexon’s principal product-brand lineage. Despite the corporate failure and subsequent asset transfers, Rexon technology had a longer afterlife than the company itself. Functional Rexon computers were still reported in use in various locations as of 2013. Canadian company encompassIT.ca specialized in converting Rexon and RECAP software for Microsoft Windows environments, illustrating the persistence of legacy applications and the need for migration tools. Rexon is consequently remembered both as an early business-computer maker and as a substantial participant in the evolution of magnetic tape data storage.

• 2000

  Successor assets are sold to Overland Data

  [1]Rexonen.wikipedia.org

  Overland Data acquired the assets of Tecmar Technologies, the successor business formed from Rexon’s bankruptcy acquisition.

• 1997

  Successor changes corporate name

  [1]Rexonen.wikipedia.org

  Legacy Storage Systems changed its name to Tecmar Technologies International.

• 1995

  Bankruptcy and acquisition

  [1]Rexonen.wikipedia.org

  Rexon filed for bankruptcy and was acquired out of Chapter 11 by Legacy Storage Systems. The company was subsequently renamed Tecmar Technologies, Inc.

• 1991

  WangDAT is acquired

  [1]Rexonen.wikipedia.org

  Rexon acquired WangDAT, a DAT/DDS tape-drive manufacturer.

• 1986

  Tecmar is acquired

  [1]Rexonen.wikipedia.org

  Rexon acquired Tecmar, broadening its portfolio of computer peripherals and storage-related products.

• 1982

  WangTek is established

  [1]Rexonen.wikipedia.org

  Rexon founded WangTek in Simi Valley, California, as a subsidiary focused on QIC tape-drive manufacturing.

• 1978

  Rexon Business Machines is founded

  [1]Rexonen.wikipedia.org

  Ben C. Wang founded Rexon Business Machines in Culver City, California, establishing the company as a small-business computer-system manufacturer.

Rexon positioned itself as an integrated business-computing and data-storage supplier, serving small-business computer users and, later, the expanding market for magnetic tape backup and removable storage.

• Business computer systems · 1978

  Rexon computer systems

  Rexon’s original product family consisted of small-business computer systems. These machines used the proprietary RECAP operating system and were designed to support business applications through an integrated hardware, operating-system, and programming environment. Some systems remained operational for decades after Rexon ceased trading.

• Operating system

  RECAP

  RECAP was Rexon’s proprietary operating system for its computer systems. It formed the software foundation for the company’s business-computing platform and was closely associated with Thoroughbred Basic applications.

• Business programming environment

  Thoroughbred Basic

  Thoroughbred Basic was used on Rexon systems as a superset of Business Basic. Its integration of operating-system primitives into the language helped connect business applications with the underlying RECAP environment.

• QIC tape storage · 1982

  WangTek tape drives

  WangTek was a Rexon subsidiary founded in 1982 and based in Simi Valley, California. It manufactured QIC tape drives, a removable magnetic-storage technology used for backup and data transfer.

• DAT/DDS tape storage · 1991

  WangDAT tape drives

  WangDAT produced DAT/DDS tape drives and became part of Rexon through a 1991 acquisition. The product line strengthened Rexon’s position in removable tape backup and archival storage.

• Backup software

  SyTron backup software

  SyTron was Rexon’s backup-software business, based in Westboro, Massachusetts. It was sold to Arcada Software during Rexon’s 1995 bankruptcy restructuring.

• Computer peripherals and storage · 1986

  Tecmar products

  Tecmar became part of Rexon through the 1986 acquisition. Its activities contributed computer-peripheral and storage-related products to Rexon’s broader technology portfolio and later formed part of the successor Tecmar Technologies business.

• 1995

  Consolidate facilities before bankruptcyStrategy

  Background

  Rexon undertook operational consolidation before entering bankruptcy proceedings.

  Action taken

  The company closed facilities in Solon, Ohio, and Ponce, Puerto Rico, and moved operations to Longmont, Colorado.

  Aftermath

  The consolidation preceded Rexon’s bankruptcy filing and subsequent sale to Legacy Storage Systems.

  Source

• 1995

  File for Chapter 11 bankruptcyOther

  Background

  Rexon’s operating and financial difficulties led it to seek protection from creditors.

  Action taken

  Rexon filed for bankruptcy protection and separated parts of its business during the restructuring.

  Aftermath

  Scientific Solutions was spun off, SyTron was sold to Arcada Software, and Legacy Storage Systems acquired the remaining business out of bankruptcy.

  Source

• 1991

  Acquire WangDATM&A

  Background

  DAT/DDS tape technology was an important part of the removable-storage market.

  Action taken

  Rexon acquired WangDAT, a DAT/DDS tape-drive manufacturer.

  Aftermath

  The transaction increased Rexon’s presence in magnetic tape data storage.

  Source

• 1986

  Acquire TecmarM&A

  Background

  Rexon wanted to broaden its technology portfolio beyond its original computer-system business.

  Action taken

  Rexon acquired Tecmar and incorporated its activities into the group.

  Aftermath

  The acquisition added computer-peripheral and storage-related operations, including the Scientific Solutions activities later spun off during bankruptcy.

  Source

• 1982

  Create WangTek as a tape-storage subsidiaryStrategy

  Background

  Rexon sought to expand from business computers into removable magnetic storage and related peripherals.

  Action taken

  The company established WangTek in Simi Valley, California, to manufacture QIC tape drives.

  Aftermath

  WangTek became one of the businesses associated with Rexon’s later tape-storage activities.

  Source

1. 1Rexonen.wikipedia.org