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Distributed
Electronic Software Distribution Systems |
Inventory Transfer Systems, Inc.
1984-1985
Tim McGuinness, ITS Inc.
Vice President
Marketing & Development
 ITS 3rd Generation ESD Systems
In late 1984, ITS made the
decision to relocate the company to Scotland, in partnership with Program
Express. The President, Vermeeren, and Tim McGuinness, located the
new offices in Edinburgh. Tim McGuinness' role was to re-start
development of the system core application and OS, as well as to oversee
the hardware development occurring in Oxford.
The result was the ITS 3rd
Generation ESD System Design - with User Interface design by Tim
McGuinness, and hardware by the local Oxford contractor. One
prototype was designed, pending manufacturing. The System was
designed to be operated by retail store staff only, and supported:
Cartridges, Cassettes, and Floppy Discs.
 ITS ESD SYSTEM 3
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 BT's express?
WHATEVER happened to Program Express?
In July 1984 the company launched a revolutionary method of electronic
software distribution in the U.K.. Retailers were to buy a terminal, linked to a central
database, on which was stored thousands of software titles. Those titles could
be downloaded onto tape or disc by the retailer and sold to the customer.
We were told that the system would do away with the usual retail problems
such as choosing which titles to put on the shelves and overstocking. We were
also informed that the device would be tested in branches of John Menzies and
that Boots was also interested.
A year later nothing has happened - well, almost nothing. British Telecom has
just become the major shareholder in Program Express. The agreement means that
BT will provide finance for the operation while the three Program Express
directors, Gilmour Kennedy, Bruce Nevil and Grant Robertson will share
responsibility for the running of the company.
It is still not clear, however, what Program Express intends to do with its
wonder network. No terminals have reached retailers and none of the promised
testing has been done. A spokesman for BT says: "We are still considering the
situation and our plans will be announced later."
From the U.K. based
Sinclair User Magazine November 1985
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ITS' Scottish Partner
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Images in this site come
from Tim McGuinness' private collection
and public sources. You may not reproduce any content without permission! |
