Xircom

Xircom, Inc. was an American computer-networking hardware and mobile-technology company founded in 1988 by Dirk Gates and Kirk Mathews. The company was established at a time when notebook computers were becoming more portable but lacked convenient, standardized ways to connect to local-area networks, remote systems, and emerging mobile data services. Xircom focused on solving that portability problem through compact adapters, PC Cards, modems, remote-access products, and later handheld-computing accessories. One of Xircom's earliest products was the Pocket LAN Adapter. Because the printer port was one of the few broadly available external interfaces on early notebook computers, the adapter used that port to connect a portable computer to a network. This helped establish Xircom as a specialist in mobile networking and positioned the company within the growing market for portable PCs used by business travelers, field workers, and corporate professionals. The company became particularly associated with PC Card products. Its RealPort family integrated connection hardware directly into the card, reducing the dependence on detachable dongles and cables that could be lost, damaged, or forgotten. Products in the range combined functions such as 10/100 Mbps Ethernet and 56K modem access, with some configurations supporting connectivity through a connected mobile phone. Xircom also developed NetAccess remote-access products, including ISDN equipment and multiport modem products, for users and organizations that needed remote communications infrastructure. Xircom expanded beyond conventional wired networking. Its NetWave products were early wireless networking devices for portable computers and used technology associated with the development of later Wi-Fi markets. The company also pursued connectivity standards and mobile technologies including IEEE 802.11, GPRS, and Bluetooth. In the handheld-computing sector, it produced CompactFlash connectivity modules, SpringPort modules for Handspring devices, and sled-style accessories for Palm handhelds. The REX 6000, a very thin Type II PC Card personal digital assistant, reflected the company's interest in combining portability, synchronization, and personal information management. The company broadened its peripheral portfolio through the acquisition of Entrega, a maker of USB upgrade boards and USB conversion products. Xircom developed these products into the PortGear and PortStation lines, including adapters for USB-to-serial, USB-to-parallel, and USB-to-Ethernet connections. This activity addressed the transitional period in which older PCs and operating systems did not yet have universal USB support. At its height, Xircom grew to more than 2,000 employees and operated manufacturing facilities in Penang, Malaysia, together with offices in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Its products were sold internationally and helped define a category of connectivity equipment for mobile computers. Intel announced an agreement to acquire Xircom on January 15, 2001, for approximately US$748 million. Following the acquisition, Xircom ceased to operate as an independent company. Intel later reduced the former Xircom workforce, and most employees at the Thousand Oaks site were laid off in early 2003. Xircom's independent brand and corporate identity therefore became part of the history of the early notebook-networking and mobile-connectivity industry.

Xircom was founded in 1988 by Dirk Gates and Kirk Mathews to address the difficulty of connecting portable computers to networks and communications systems. Early notebook computers were substantially less standardized than later PCs, and their external connectivity options were limited. Xircom's initial answer was the Pocket LAN Adapter, which used a notebook's printer port to provide a network connection. The product allowed portable-computer users to participate in local-area networks without relying on a conventional desktop expansion card, helping establish Xircom as an early specialist in notebook networking. As portable computing expanded in business environments, Xircom developed a broader portfolio of network adapters, modem products, memory-card products, and remote-access equipment. The company's PC Card products became central to its identity. The RealPort family integrated network and modem connectors into the card itself, addressing a common weakness of early PC Card accessories: detachable dongles and cables were easy to lose or break. RealPort products included combinations of Ethernet and dial-up modem functionality, and some products supported mobile-phone-based data connections. Xircom's NetAccess family served remote-access requirements and included ISDN products and multiport modem systems. Xircom also invested in wireless and mobile technologies. Its NetWave products were among the early wireless networking devices designed for portable computers, preceding the widespread adoption of Wi-Fi equipment. The company worked with technology associated with IEEE 802.11, GPRS, and Bluetooth, reflecting a strategy that treated connectivity as a mobile-computing platform rather than merely a collection of wired PC accessories. The company expanded through acquisitions and product diversification. It acquired Entrega, which made USB upgrade boards and USB conversion products. Xircom incorporated those capabilities into PortGear and PortStation products, including USB-to-serial, USB-to-parallel, and USB-to-Ethernet adapters. These products were useful during the transition from older computers and operating systems to USB-based peripheral connectivity, including support for systems that did not initially provide complete USB functionality. Xircom also pursued handheld computing. Its products included CompactFlash cards for Ethernet, modem, and GSM connectivity; SpringPort modules for Handspring handhelds; and sled accessories for Palm devices. The REX 6000 was a particularly distinctive product: a thin personal digital assistant built in a Type II PC Card form factor that synchronized when inserted into a host computer's PC Card slot. It demonstrated Xircom's attempt to combine a highly portable personal-information device with the expansion and synchronization infrastructure already used by notebook computers. During its independent existence, Xircom operated internationally, with manufacturing facilities in Penang, Malaysia, and offices across Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. The company grew to more than 2,000 employees and became a recognized supplier of mobile-computing connectivity hardware. Its business was tied closely to the evolution of notebook computers, PC Cards, remote access, wireless networking, and handheld devices. Intel announced the acquisition of Xircom on January 15, 2001, at an announced value of approximately US$748 million. The transaction ended Xircom's existence as an independent company and gave Intel access to its products, engineering capabilities, and mobile-connectivity position. By early 2003, Intel had laid off most of the former Xircom workforce at the Thousand Oaks site. Xircom subsequently remained primarily a historical brand associated with the formative period of notebook networking and portable-computer communications.

• 2003

  Thousand Oaks workforce is reduced

  [1]Xircomen.wikipedia.org

  Intel laid off most former Xircom employees at the Thousand Oaks location in early 2003.

• 2001

  Intel announces acquisition

  [1]Xircomen.wikipedia.org

  Intel announced an agreement to acquire Xircom for approximately US$748 million.

• 1988

  Xircom is founded

  [1]Xircomen.wikipedia.org

  Dirk Gates and Kirk Mathews founded Xircom to develop modem and Ethernet connectivity for mobile computers.

• 1988

  Pocket LAN Adapter addresses notebook networking

  [1]Xircomen.wikipedia.org

  Xircom introduced an adapter that used a notebook computer's printer port to connect it to a local-area network.

• Xircom develops NetWave wireless adapters

  [1]Xircomen.wikipedia.org

  The company developed early wireless networking devices for portable computers, helping advance mobile use of wireless networking.

• Xircom acquires Entrega

  [1]Xircomen.wikipedia.org

  Xircom acquired Entrega and used its USB adapter and conversion technology in the PortGear and PortStation product lines.

Xircom positioned itself as an innovator in portable-computer connectivity, emphasizing compact hardware that allowed notebook and handheld users to access wired networks, remote systems, wireless services, and peripheral interfaces.

• Notebook networking adapter · 1988

  Pocket LAN Adapter

  An early Xircom product that connected notebook computers to local-area networks through the printer port, one of the few widely available interfaces on early portable PCs. It helped establish the company's focus on making network access practical for mobile users.

• PC Card connectivity adapter

  RealPort

  A family of integrated PC Card and CardBus products that combined functions such as Ethernet and modem access. By placing connectors directly on the card, RealPort products reduced reliance on fragile, detachable dongles and cable assemblies.

• Wireless networking adapter

  NetWave

  An early line of wireless networking products for portable computers. NetWave products used technology related to the emergence of IEEE 802.11-based networking and represented Xircom's move beyond wired Ethernet and dial-up communications.

• Remote-access networking equipment

  NetAccess

  A family of remote-access products that included ISDN offerings and multiport modem systems. The line addressed organizations and users requiring centralized or expanded remote communications capabilities.

• Personal digital assistant

  REX 6000

  An unusually thin PDA built in a Type II PC Card form factor. It synchronized by being inserted into a host computer's PC Card slot and added a touchscreen and other improvements over the earlier Franklin REX 5000 design.

• USB adapter and converter

  PortGear and PortStation

  Product lines derived from Entrega's USB technology, covering USB upgrade boards and USB-to-serial, USB-to-parallel, and USB-to-Ethernet converters. They helped older computers connect to newer USB peripherals and networks.

• Mobile and handheld-computer accessory

  Handheld connectivity products

  Xircom produced CompactFlash modules for Ethernet, modem, and GSM connectivity, SpringPort modules for Handspring devices, and sled accessories for Palm handhelds. These products extended the company's mobile-networking expertise into the handheld-computing market.

• 2001

  Intel agrees to acquire XircomM&A

  Background

  Xircom had developed a broad position in notebook networking, wireless connectivity, modems, and handheld-computer accessories as mobile computing expanded.

  Action taken

  Intel announced an agreement on January 15, 2001 to acquire Xircom for approximately US$748 million.

  Aftermath

  Xircom ceased to operate as an independent company. Intel later reduced the former Xircom workforce, including most employees at the Thousand Oaks site in early 2003.

  Announced acquisition value. Approximately US$748 million (2001 announcement)

  Source

• 2003

  Intel lays off most former Xircom employees in Thousand Oaks[1]Xircomen.wikipedia.org

  Leadership change · Other

  Intel laid off most of the former Xircom employees at the company's Thousand Oaks location in early 2003 after the acquisition.

• 2001

  Intel announces agreement to acquire Xircom[1]Xircomen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Intel announced on January 15, 2001 that it would acquire Xircom for approximately US$748 million, bringing Xircom's notebook-networking and mobile-connectivity technology into Intel.

1. 1Xircomen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Archived Xircom official websiteweb.archive.org