MICOM 2000 Digital Word Processor
Title
MICOM 2000 Digital Word Processor
Subject
hardware: word processor
Description
Historical context
(by Z. Stachniak)
In 1967, Stephen Dorsey founded Automatic Electronic Systems (AES) in Montreal to develop electronic devices for industrial remote-control applications. Over the six years, AES developed, among other products, its own minicomputers (the AES-80 and AES-80C) and the world’s first all-in-one programmable word processor — the AES-90. Until the mid-1980s, digital word processors remained the company's main line of business, sold around the world.
In the 1960s, office document-writing equipment was still dominated by various types of typewriters, ranging from purely mechanical to electric models, including those with digital storage for recording typed text, such as the best-selling IBM MT/ST (Magnetic Tape/Selectric Typewriter), which recorded edited documents on magnetic tape. These devices lacked displays and offered only limited word-processing functionality. None of them could be upgraded to newer versions; they could only be replaced with more advanced models as they became available.
It all changed in the early 1970s, when several companies introduced dedicated text-editing equipment with displays for on-screen document editing and external storage. In 1972, Linolex Systems introduced its Model A while Lexitron offered the Videotype 911. In the following year, AES released its AES-90 Word Processor, and Vydec began selling its Vydec Text Processor. Although all these systems provided on-screen editing and external storage, several unique features of the AES-90 set new trends in the design of cost-effective text editing equipment. The most important of these was the AES-90 architecture and its software upgradability. The AES-90 was a standalone system that featured a CRT display, a keyboard, and two 8-inch floppy disk drives connected to a central processor. However, unlike the “hard-wired” solutions used in other early on-screen text-editing systems, the AES-90 processor was built around a general-purpose minicomputer (the AES-90C) running dedicated text-editing software. This design allowed for software updates, bug fixes, and adaptation to changing requirements without the need to purchase a new processor and discard the outdated one. For this reason, the ACS-90 was promoted as a programmable word processor and “a giant step into a new era of cost-effective written communication.” Within a few years, the office equipment market was flooded with similar video-screen text-editing products from companies worldwide—the Toshiba JW-10 Japanese Language Word Processor, announced in 1978, is one notable example—revolutionizing office operations.
Although orders for AES-90 processors were piling up, AES faced significant difficulties with cash flow and attracting investor interest. Ultimately, the company came under the control of Innocan Investments Ltd., a Canadian financial organization specializing in venture capital for new and expanding firms, particularly those in high-technology industries. The Canadian Development Corporation owned 40% of Innocan, while other shareholders included the Air Canada Pension Fund, the Bank of Nova Scotia, and several well-established investment groups. Difficult relationship with AES financial backers led Dorsey to leave the company in 1975.
Soon after leaving AES, Dorsey founded Micom Data Systems in Montreal. The company went on to manufacture a successful line of digital word processors, beginning with the introduction of the Micom 2000 in 1976.
In 1978, Philips Information Systems of Toronto, a subsidiary of the Dutch office automation giant Philips NV, acquired 80% of Micom’s ownership. As part of the Philips corporate group, Micom gained access to Philips' extensive global marketing and distribution network. By the end of the 1970s, Micom had become a market leader, ranking first in sales in Canada and second in Europe. Its equipment was installed in numerous major organizations, from Air Canada and Washington Gas to NASA (with over 50 MICOM 2000 systems deployed).
Micom's workforce grew rapidly, expanding from just five employees in 1976 to more than 1,100 by 1980.
In 1984, the company relocated to a new facility in Saint-Laurent, Quebec, and began manufacturing the Micom line of Philips PCs in addition to its word-processing hardware. That year, Philips Information Systems recorded sales of $62 million, up from $38 million in 1983. Of that $62 million, approximately $42 million came from the sales of Micom word processors.
Although Micom was more successful than AES Data in the 1980s, its word processing business was phased out by the end of the decade due to the global transition in the office-equipment industry toward microcomputer-based multifunctional solutions.
Micom 2000
The Micom 2000 was introduced in 1976. It featured a main processor unit with a built-in display, a detachable keyboard, and an external 8-inch floppy drive. Although its design employed a microprocessor—the Intel 8080A—and the system offered networking and electronic mail capabilities, it was not a general-purpose computer, as it could not store or execute application programs.
The Micom 2000 was followed by models 2001, 2002, 3000, 3000 MINI EDIT, MINI-EDIT, and SATELLITE.
Word processing features
Technical specifications
Museum holdings
(by Z. Stachniak)
In 1967, Stephen Dorsey founded Automatic Electronic Systems (AES) in Montreal to develop electronic devices for industrial remote-control applications. Over the six years, AES developed, among other products, its own minicomputers (the AES-80 and AES-80C) and the world’s first all-in-one programmable word processor — the AES-90. Until the mid-1980s, digital word processors remained the company's main line of business, sold around the world.
In the 1960s, office document-writing equipment was still dominated by various types of typewriters, ranging from purely mechanical to electric models, including those with digital storage for recording typed text, such as the best-selling IBM MT/ST (Magnetic Tape/Selectric Typewriter), which recorded edited documents on magnetic tape. These devices lacked displays and offered only limited word-processing functionality. None of them could be upgraded to newer versions; they could only be replaced with more advanced models as they became available.
It all changed in the early 1970s, when several companies introduced dedicated text-editing equipment with displays for on-screen document editing and external storage. In 1972, Linolex Systems introduced its Model A while Lexitron offered the Videotype 911. In the following year, AES released its AES-90 Word Processor, and Vydec began selling its Vydec Text Processor. Although all these systems provided on-screen editing and external storage, several unique features of the AES-90 set new trends in the design of cost-effective text editing equipment. The most important of these was the AES-90 architecture and its software upgradability. The AES-90 was a standalone system that featured a CRT display, a keyboard, and two 8-inch floppy disk drives connected to a central processor. However, unlike the “hard-wired” solutions used in other early on-screen text-editing systems, the AES-90 processor was built around a general-purpose minicomputer (the AES-90C) running dedicated text-editing software. This design allowed for software updates, bug fixes, and adaptation to changing requirements without the need to purchase a new processor and discard the outdated one. For this reason, the ACS-90 was promoted as a programmable word processor and “a giant step into a new era of cost-effective written communication.” Within a few years, the office equipment market was flooded with similar video-screen text-editing products from companies worldwide—the Toshiba JW-10 Japanese Language Word Processor, announced in 1978, is one notable example—revolutionizing office operations.
Although orders for AES-90 processors were piling up, AES faced significant difficulties with cash flow and attracting investor interest. Ultimately, the company came under the control of Innocan Investments Ltd., a Canadian financial organization specializing in venture capital for new and expanding firms, particularly those in high-technology industries. The Canadian Development Corporation owned 40% of Innocan, while other shareholders included the Air Canada Pension Fund, the Bank of Nova Scotia, and several well-established investment groups. Difficult relationship with AES financial backers led Dorsey to leave the company in 1975.
Soon after leaving AES, Dorsey founded Micom Data Systems in Montreal. The company went on to manufacture a successful line of digital word processors, beginning with the introduction of the Micom 2000 in 1976.
In 1978, Philips Information Systems of Toronto, a subsidiary of the Dutch office automation giant Philips NV, acquired 80% of Micom’s ownership. As part of the Philips corporate group, Micom gained access to Philips' extensive global marketing and distribution network. By the end of the 1970s, Micom had become a market leader, ranking first in sales in Canada and second in Europe. Its equipment was installed in numerous major organizations, from Air Canada and Washington Gas to NASA (with over 50 MICOM 2000 systems deployed).
Micom's workforce grew rapidly, expanding from just five employees in 1976 to more than 1,100 by 1980.
In 1984, the company relocated to a new facility in Saint-Laurent, Quebec, and began manufacturing the Micom line of Philips PCs in addition to its word-processing hardware. That year, Philips Information Systems recorded sales of $62 million, up from $38 million in 1983. Of that $62 million, approximately $42 million came from the sales of Micom word processors.
Although Micom was more successful than AES Data in the 1980s, its word processing business was phased out by the end of the decade due to the global transition in the office-equipment industry toward microcomputer-based multifunctional solutions.
Micom 2000
The Micom 2000 was introduced in 1976. It featured a main processor unit with a built-in display, a detachable keyboard, and an external 8-inch floppy drive. Although its design employed a microprocessor—the Intel 8080A—and the system offered networking and electronic mail capabilities, it was not a general-purpose computer, as it could not store or execute application programs.
The Micom 2000 was followed by models 2001, 2002, 3000, 3000 MINI EDIT, MINI-EDIT, and SATELLITE.
Word processing features
- wordwrap,
- justification,
- adjustment,
- aligment,
- boilerplate,
- copying and cuting,
- deletion,
- footnoting,
- format letter merging,
- headers and footers,
- indents,
- centering,
- insertion,
- overstrike,
- page numbering,
- pagination,
- search and replace,
- spell checking and correction,
- table of contents and index generation.
Technical specifications
- CPU: Intel 8080A,
- RAM: 64Kb,
- ROM: ?
- display: built-in CRT, 15", monochrome,
- keyboard: 51-key QWERTY-style, 19-key numeric and edit function keypad,
- extrenal storage: an 8 inch floppy disk drive.
Museum holdings
- Micom 2000, model number C-2000, serial number 01510 with a keyboard and a diskette drive (serial number 203972),
- Assynchronous Communication, System Reference Manual, Micom, 1979 [the use of Micom as a remote computer terminal]
- Micom Software Manual, rev. 4.2, Micom Data Systems Ltd, 1977,
- Micom 2001, Reference Manual, Micom Data Systems Ltd, 1980,
- Micom/Philips promo literature,
- Program Diskette, ver. 4.2, Jan. 31, 1978,
- Program Diskette, ver. 4.2, March 6, 1978,
- Program Diskette, ver. 4.2, Sep. 18, 1979.
Creator
Micom Data Systems Ltd.
Date
1976
Format
Hardware
Type
Hardware
Identifier
H.35
Coverage
1976-1980s
Online Submission
No
Files
Citation
Micom Data Systems Ltd., “MICOM 2000 Digital Word Processor,” York University Computer Museum Canada, accessed December 11, 2025, https://museum.eecs.yorku.ca/items/show/59.