Symbios Logic

Symbios Logic was a technology business focused on components and systems for computer storage connectivity. Its roots were in NCR Corporation's Microelectronics division, established in 1972. The division developed semiconductor products for NCR and the wider computing market, including technology associated with SCSI host adapters and storage subsystems. The business became a distinct branded company after Hyundai Electronics acquired the NCR Microelectronics operation from AT&T in 1995. AT&T had gained control of the division through its 1991 takeover of NCR. Under Hyundai ownership, the business adopted the Symbios Logic name and operated as a supplier of storage-related integrated circuits and systems. Its product scope included SCSI host-adapter chipsets, which enabled computers and servers to communicate with peripheral storage devices, as well as disk-array storage subsystems used in enterprise computing environments. In July 1998, Hyundai sold Symbios to LSI Logic for $760 million in cash. The transaction placed Symbios within a larger semiconductor and storage-technology portfolio and ended its period as an independently branded Hyundai business. The company was headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado, at the time of the LSI transaction. Following the acquisition, Symbios Logic's activities were progressively integrated with other LSI storage operations. LSI acquired Syntax Systems in November 2000. In August 2001, the relevant groups were combined as LSI Logic Storage Systems. In 2004, that business was renamed Engenio Information Technologies, Inc., effectively ending Symbios Logic's continuing identity as a standalone operating brand. Engenio subsequently pursued a public offering. Its initial-public-offering registration was filed on February 19, 2004, while Thomas Georgens was chief executive and the company was headquartered in Milpitas, California. The offering was delayed several times and withdrawn in August 2004. Engenio continued as LSI's storage group until LSI announced its sale to NetApp on March 9, 2011. The transaction, valued at $480 million in cash, closed in May 2011. LSI reported that the Engenio division had generated $705 million in revenue during 2010. Symbios Logic is therefore best understood as a historical technology brand whose corporate lineage ran from NCR Microelectronics through Hyundai Electronics and LSI Logic to the Engenio storage business. Its principal market contribution was in storage connectivity and disk-array infrastructure rather than consumer-facing electronics. The Symbios name is no longer used as an active standalone brand in the available reference material.

Symbios Logic originated within NCR Corporation's Microelectronics division, which was established in 1972. The division worked on semiconductor and computer-technology products and became associated with storage connectivity, including SCSI host-adapter chipsets and disk-array storage subsystems. These products served as infrastructure components rather than consumer-branded devices, allowing computers and servers to connect with and manage storage equipment. NCR was taken over by AT&T in 1991. In 1995, AT&T sold the Microelectronics division to Hyundai Electronics. Hyundai gave the business the Symbios Logic name, turning an inherited corporate division into a recognizable standalone technology identity. The company was based in Fort Collins, Colorado, and operated in the enterprise computing and storage-technology sector. Hyundai sold Symbios to LSI Logic in July 1998 for $760 million in cash. Under LSI, the business became part of a broader storage and semiconductor organization. LSI's acquisition of Syntax Systems in November 2000 was followed by a combination of the relevant businesses in August 2001 under the name LSI Logic Storage Systems. This restructuring reduced the operational distinction between Symbios Logic and LSI's other storage activities. In 2004, the storage operation was renamed Engenio Information Technologies, Inc. Engenio sought to become a publicly traded company and filed an initial-public-offering request on February 19, 2004. Thomas Georgens was identified as its chief executive, and the headquarters were in Milpitas, California. The IPO process encountered several delays and the request was withdrawn in August 2004. Engenio remained part of LSI's storage portfolio until LSI agreed to sell the group to NetApp. LSI announced the transaction on March 9, 2011, describing a $480 million cash sale. The transaction completed in May. The Engenio division had generated $705 million in revenue during 2010, according to the reference account of the transaction. The corporate history shows a progression from an internal NCR semiconductor division to a Hyundai-owned company, an LSI Logic storage operation, and finally the Engenio business sold to NetApp. Symbios Logic's independent brand identity ended as the business was renamed and integrated into successor organizations. Its historical significance lies in the development and commercialization of SCSI connectivity and storage-array technology for professional computing markets.

• 2011

  Engenio storage group sold to NetApp

  [1]Symbios Logicen.wikipedia.org

  LSI sells the Engenio storage group to NetApp for $480 million in cash; the transaction completes in May.

• 2004

  Business becomes Engenio

  [1]Symbios Logicen.wikipedia.org

  The storage operation changes its name to Engenio Information Technologies, Inc.

• 2001

  Storage groups merge

  [1]Symbios Logicen.wikipedia.org

  The relevant groups are combined as LSI Logic Storage Systems in August.

• 2000

  LSI acquires Syntax Systems

  [1]Symbios Logicen.wikipedia.org

  LSI Logic acquires Syntax Systems, preceding the combination of its storage-related operations.

• 1998

  LSI Logic acquires Symbios

  [1]Symbios Logicen.wikipedia.org

  Hyundai sells Symbios to LSI Logic in July for $760 million in cash.

• 1995

  Symbios Logic identity is established

  [1]Symbios Logicen.wikipedia.org

  Hyundai Electronics acquires the former NCR Microelectronics division from AT&T and establishes the Symbios Logic business name.

• 1991

  AT&T takes over NCR

  [1]Symbios Logicen.wikipedia.org

  NCR becomes part of AT&T, placing its Microelectronics division under AT&T ownership.

• 1972

  NCR establishes Microelectronics division

  [1]Symbios Logicen.wikipedia.org

  The organizational predecessor of Symbios Logic is established as NCR Corporation's Microelectronics division.

A business-to-business storage-technology supplier serving computer, server, and enterprise-storage manufacturers and integrators through semiconductor components and storage subsystems.

• Storage connectivity semiconductors

  SCSI host-adapter chipsets

  Symbios Logic was known for chipsets used in SCSI host adapters. These components connected computers and servers to SCSI peripheral devices and storage systems, forming an interface layer between computing platforms and attached storage hardware. They were primarily business-to-business products sold into systems and infrastructure markets rather than consumer retail products.

• Enterprise storage systems

  Disk-array storage subsystems

  The business also manufactured disk-array storage subsystems for professional computing environments. These systems grouped disk storage into managed arrays intended for server and enterprise applications. The product activity later became part of LSI's storage organization and was carried forward through the LSI Logic Storage Systems and Engenio businesses.

• 2011

  LSI sells Engenio storage group to NetAppM&A

  Background

  The storage business descended from Symbios Logic was operating under the Engenio name within LSI.

  Action taken

  LSI announced a cash sale of the Engenio storage group to NetApp on March 9, 2011; the transaction completed in May.

  Aftermath

  The sale transferred the successor storage operation to NetApp and marked the final documented stage of the Symbios-to-Engenio corporate lineage.

  Sale price. $480 million cash (Announced March 9, 2011; completed May 2011)

  Source

• 2004

  Storage operation renamed EngenioStrategy

  Background

  Following the consolidation of LSI's storage activities as LSI Logic Storage Systems, the business underwent another corporate rebranding.

  Action taken

  LSI changed the name of the operation to Engenio Information Technologies, Inc.

  Aftermath

  The Symbios Logic name ceased to represent the continuing standalone storage operation.

  Source

• 2004

  Engenio withdraws IPO requestOther

  Background

  Engenio filed for an initial public offering on February 19, 2004, but the offering experienced several delays.

  Action taken

  The IPO request was withdrawn in August 2004.

  Aftermath

  Engenio continued as part of LSI's storage business rather than becoming a separately listed company.

  Source

• 1998

  Hyundai sells Symbios Logic to LSI LogicM&A

  Background

  Hyundai Electronics owned the Symbios Logic business after acquiring NCR's former Microelectronics division from AT&T.

  Action taken

  Hyundai sold Symbios to LSI Logic in July 1998 for $760 million in cash.

  Aftermath

  Symbios became part of LSI Logic's semiconductor and storage portfolio and was later integrated into successor storage organizations.

  Acquisition price. $760 million cash (July 1998)

  Source

1. 1Symbios Logicen.wikipedia.org