Over thirty years of innovation and achievement
Epic Data was spawned at a Vancouver-based manufacturing company – Ebco Industries – from a need to eliminate manual data collection and transaction recording in order to remain competitive and profitable while undergoing significant growth from worldwide sales.
Ebco had become world-renowned in metal fabrication and precision machining with its components used in Boeing precision wings, Canadarm 2, a boring machine for the English Chunnel, and a cyclotron at UBC’s TRIUMF particle accelerator research facility. As Ebco grew, it experienced increasing difficulty tracking the costs associated with individual jobs.
When Helmut Eppich, Ebco’s founder, couldn’t find a data collection system that harnessed the new technology of the day, he created a technology division within Ebco and developed the data collection system he needed internally. The creation of this early Automated Data Collection (ADC) system for a metal fabrication plant shop floor eventually led to the formation of Epic Data Inc. in 1975.
Epic Data’s ADC technology was built upon four basic principles:
- to capture information on human and machine activities with efficiency and accuracy,
- to be easy for workers to use and understand,
- to deliver clean formatted transactions to central data repositories, and
- to optimize the organization’s work flow and thus enhance profitability and competitiveness.
Today, while the technology employed has evolved, these principles remain the backbone of Epic Data’s modern data collection and manufacturing operations management systems.
Epic Data has amassed an impressive array of customers – world-renowned leaders in their fields, which include Aerospace & Defense, Automotive, Heavy Equipment Manufacturing and Medical Supplies. As a trusted development partner and technology provider, Epic Data helps its customers achieve their lean manufacturing goals and remain profitable and competitive in challenging times.
| YEAR |
HIGHLIGHTS |
| 1975 |
- Epic Data, a technology division of Ebco Industries, founded as a private company to develop and market Automated Data Collection ( ADC ) systems.
|
| 1975-85 |
- Early Epic Data ADC systems achieve significant gains in data gathering by incorporating punch cards, magnetic stripe and barcode input capabilities. Microprocessors were incorporated to further enhance products.
|
| 1986 |
- Company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
- Acquired Time Control International, a provider of time and attendance systems
|
| 1987 |
- Epic Data opened UK office.
- 2nd generation Full Screen Terminal ( FST ) and new Limited Configuration Terminal (LCT) introduced.
|
| 1988 |
- Customer contracts signed with UK 's Royal Ordnance Factories, General Dynamics Land Systems.
- Dual Function Terminal (DFT) launched.
|
| 1989 |
- VMS Controller Software and Security Management System launched.
- Independent Graphics Terminal ( IGT ) launched.
|
| 1990 |
- Network Control Unit (terminal) launched.
- IBM development agreement signed.
- Major contracts signed with Volvo and Learjet.
|
| 1992 |
- Two Multi-Purpose Terminals (MPT) launched: MPT/SE and the rugged Secure Access Terminal.
|
| 1993 |
- Signed major contract with General Dynamics Electric Boat and General Dynamics Bath Iron Works
|
| 1994 |
- Received Lockheed Martin's coveted "Star of Excellence" award.
- Enterpoint product launched.
- MPT 8000 Series and XCS Gateway Services launched.
|
| 1995 |
- Opened customer support facility in Dallas , TX .
- 'SP Series' of pre-configured and pre-packaged products for specific applications launched.
|
| 1996 |
- Major customer service contracts signed with Computer Sciences Corp. for General Dynamics Electric Boat, General Dynamics Land Systems and Hughes Corp.
- Certified integration partner agreement signed with SAP .
|
| 1997 |
- Focus on aligning products to SAP and Baan (purchased by Infor) resulted in significant revenue growth.
|
| 1998 |
- Acquired Real Data Systems, a SAP certified developer of automated data capture applications.
- Introduced Windows NT data collection product for SAP and Baan.
|
| 1999 |
- Acquired Connectware, a Baan and Oracle certified developer of data collection applications.
|
| 2000 |
- Signed partnerships with Symbol Technologies, IBM Global Services and webMethods.
|
| 2001 |
- Significant investment made in electronic data capture technology.
- eXpresso products launched into the wireless application tools marketplace.
|
| 2002 |
- Leading US defense contractor signed contract to upgrade their data collection system.
|
| 2003 |
- Introduced the MPT 9100 shop floor data collection terminal, including a wireless version.
- Introduced the eXpresso PC Client, MMS and Time & Labor Capture systems.
- Introduced ProxWedge product.
|
| 2004 |
- Completed major enhancements to the MMS product.
|
| 2005 |
- Updated systems sold to Bell Helicopter, FedEx, General Dynamics Bath Iron Works and Raytheon.
|
| 2006 |
- Introduced MXE - next generation middleware tools.
|
| 2007 |
- Sold TicketManager wireless parking ticket application to Checker Wireless.
- Signed multiple contract with customers in Aerospace & Defense
|
| 2008 |
- Introduced Integra Suite.
- Launched MPT 9600, new version of Epic Data's Shop Floor Kiosk.
- Leading US defense contractor signed contract utilizing latest technology.
- MXE 2.0 middleware released (now known as IntegraNet).
|
| 2009 |
- Introduced IntegraTrak solution for parts and asset tracking.
- Completed updated system for Terasen Gas.
- SAP "Powered by SAP NetWeaver" certification achieved.
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