Company Overview

Mind Computer Products is a 100% privately owned Manitoba company, active in business and industrial computer research, design, and manufacturing as well as software development. Established in 1981 by electrical engineers Brad Fry and Neil Stern, Mind has rapidly become a key player in Canada's highly competitive microcomputer industry, with sales for fiscal 1994-95 of $35 million.

Based in Winnipeg, Mind markets its complete line of ISA, EISA, PCI and VESA-based microcomputers throughout Canada and internationally via five separate sales channels including authorized resellers, systems integrators, national accounts and end user accounts.

As a Priority Group 1 manufacturer with Government Services Canada, Mind is also continuing to experience exceptional sales growth within the Federal Government channel.

Mind first began operating under its incorporated name of Myriad Innovative Designs Inc., and during the first four years focused primarily on the design and manufacture of turn key industrial process control systems.

In 1984, the advent of the personal computer revolution prompted the company to begin designing and assembling basic IBM compatible systems for integration with their existing industrial process control systems. The reliability of these systems, coupled with the technical support of a team of electrical engineers, soon determined an emerging market for Mind systems and in 1986 the company began the full-time design, assembly and distribution of Mind personal computers. Committed to domestic research and development, the company continued to foster dedicated hardware and software R&D groups, implementing leading-edge technologies in the development of customized software tools to enhance the automation of internal production, inventory and administration. After over a decade of success, Mind understands the importance of staying on top of technological developments in the personal computer industry, particularly in today's expanding global markets. The company has made strategic R&D commitments to industry leading operating systems and network platforms such as Banyan, Novell, Microsoft and SCO Unix. Mind is also keeping pace with the industry trends towards Open Systems and Client/Server computing. Current sales increases along with the continued diversification of Mind product lines and distribution channels, have fostered an optimistic outlook for the international success of Mind Computer Products.

In 1992, the company moved to a 32, 000 square foot facility which increased its production capacity to over 2, 000 units per month. With a strong financial base, a growing distribution network for both business and industrial products, a displayed commitment to R&D and customer service, and the attention of national corporate and government accounts, Mind is indisputably a leader in the Canadian microcomputer industry.

ISO 9002 Certified:

In 1993, Mind became the first independent computer manufacturer in Manitoba to achieve ISO 9002 certification. ISO 9000 is a series of international standards for establishing and maintaining a quality management system. These standards are applicable to almost any kind of manufacturing and service company and are recognized and followed throughout the world. Mind Computer Products earned the ISO 9002 certification through a painstaking process of formalizing, documenting and in some cases re-engineering our quality policies and procedures. Mind's registration and compliance to ISO 9002 provides customers with the highest possible assurance of our company's ability to deliver a computer system produced under stringent, nonvariable quality standards.

Major Contracts:

1994/95 Federal Government National Master Standing Offer for Microcomputers (NMSO):

Mind was awarded a position on the 1994/95 Federal Government NMSO on April 12, 1994. The expansion of Mind's Ottawa office and the implementation of a National Accounts sales group in Winnipeg has enabled Mind to develop innovative approaches to providing client solutions for government.

Human Resources & Development NISO (National Individual Standing Offer):

Awarded in February of 1994 and valued at $10M, this Standing Offer will see Mind workstations, servers and software procured by Human Resources & Development on a nationwide basis.

External Affairs & International Trade Canada (Missions Installations):

Mind Computer Products was awarded a contract in June of 1993 for 800 Mind workstations valued at just under $2M. Mind systems were distributed worldwide for use in Canadian missions and embassies.

City of Winnipeg Standing Offer:

Initially awarded in August 1991, this annual Standing Offer for microcomputers, software, printers and peripherals has seen Mind install over 500 systems to date. The City of Winnipeg has also utilized Mind's network integration and support capabilities.

Health and Welfare Canada Departmental Individual Standing Offer for Microcomputers (HWC DISO):

This $9M contract was awarded to Mind Computer Production after extensive financial evaluations and technical benchmarks performed by OASIS, NSTL and Health & Welfare personnel. To date, Mind has supplied approximately $6. M in product and shipped close to 2250 systems.

Department of National Defense ADM PER (Assistant Deputy Minister Personal Wide Area Network) System:

Mind was awarded the DND ADM PER contract in Ottawa. This $2M contract saw the implementation of three separate Banyan VINES local area networks integrated into one large wide area network at DND sites in the Ottawa area. Mind partnered with Antares Electronics Inc. of Ottawa who was responsible for integrating and supporting the 160 Mind 386 systems on Banyan networks. This contract also signified Mind's first successful contract award as a prime contractor for a major Federal Government integration project.

Department of National Defense NISO (National Individual Standing Offer):

Mind was awarded the DND NISO contract in Ottawa. This $5M contract provided the department with workstations, file servers and network integration and components for national implementation. Mind partnered with Wang Canada Limited who are responsible for the network software, integration and support services.

Department of National Defense Reserve Payroll System (DND RPS):

As a subcontractor to ISM, a leading international systems integrator, Mind Computer Products was awarded the microcomputer hardware portion of the DND RPS contract in May, 1991. This contract has resulted in $2.5M of Mind 286 systems, integrated in a nationwide local area network, that will process the payroll for the Department of National Defense's Reserve Forces.

Client Server Systems Integration:

Mind has recently established a Systems Integration Division capable of designing, implementing and supporting client-server applications for both internal use, and as a value-added solution for enterprise networked solution for enterprise networked customers. The main database environment is an Oracle 7 server running on the NetWare 3.12 platform. The front-end graphical interface has been developed using the Powerbuilder 3.0A toolset from Powersoft. To assist in the development of the data model, essential for client-server applications, designers have utilized the System Architect CASE tool from Popkins Software.

Technical Services and Support:

Certified network professionals represent the core of a company-wide commitment to quality assurance, and Mind employs several Certified and Enterprise Certified Novell Engineers (CNEs and ECNEs). The Novell CNE program certifies service technicians to provide quality support for NetWare networks, including system design, installation and maintenance. Once certification requirements are met, Novell stands behind CNEs with technical support and up-to-date information. The ECNE program is designed to give CNEs an opportunity to achieve a higher level of certification, focusing on the support of enterprise-wide networks.

Windows 95:

In October 1995 Mind Computer Products achieved 'Designed for Windows 95' certification by Microsoft. This was a first in Manitoba, and places Mind among the very first in Canada to receive this new certification. Windows 95 is a 32 bit operating system designed to make PC's easier to use, faster and more powerful. The 'Designed for Windows 95' logo is a signal to end users that the product is specifically designed to exploit the technology build into Windows 95, including the new industry standard Plug and Play architecture.

The computers were certified at Microsoft's Compatibility labs in Redmond, Washington, where they underwent rigorous testing to ensure hardware compatibility of all components. By obtaining 'Designed for Windows 95' certification, Mind Computer Products once again established its position as an industry leader in computer technology.

Company Information

Additional Details

Legal Name: Myriad Innovative Designs Inc.

Number of Employees: 100

Contacts

Services

• Telehealth

Products

• Computers - Standard Product Line
• Personal Computers

NAICS Categories

• 334110 Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing

Additional Information