Consumers Software

Consumers Software

Consumers Software was a pioneering company in the field of computer software development, particularly known for its contributions to early networking and communication software. Founded in the early 1980s, the company played a significant role in the evolution of personal and business computing.

History

Consumers Software was established in 1982 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The company was founded by a group of entrepreneurs and engineers who recognized the growing need for software that could facilitate communication between computers. At a time when personal computers were becoming more prevalent, Consumers Software aimed to bridge the gap between isolated systems and create a more interconnected computing environment.

Key Products

One of the most notable products developed by Consumers Software was Network Courier, an early email and messaging system. Network Courier was designed to operate on local area networks (LANs) and was one of the first products to offer a user-friendly interface for electronic mail, making it accessible to a broader audience beyond technical users.

Network Courier

Network Courier was released in the mid-1980s and quickly gained popularity due to its ease of use and robust features. It allowed users to send and receive messages, manage contacts, and organize communications efficiently. The software was particularly popular in corporate environments where internal communication was crucial.

Acquisition by Microsoft

In 1991, Microsoft Corporation acquired Consumers Software. This acquisition was part of Microsoft's strategy to enhance its own offerings in the realm of communication and collaboration tools. The technology and expertise from Consumers Software were integrated into Microsoft's products, contributing to the development of Microsoft Mail and later, Microsoft Exchange Server.

Legacy

Consumers Software's contributions to the field of communication software laid the groundwork for many of the features we take for granted in modern email and messaging systems. The company's focus on user-friendly interfaces and reliable network communication set a standard that influenced subsequent developments in the industry.

See Also

• Microsoft Mail
• Microsoft Exchange Server
• Email
• Local Area Network

References

• "The History of Email: From Interoffice to Internet," Computer History Museum.
• "Microsoft's Acquisition of Consumers Software," Tech Industry Archives.

External Links

• [Microsoft Official Website](https://www.microsoft.com)