A quarter century ago, Mississauga's technology industry was on full display in the news.

At the time, Northern Telecom had offices in Mississauga, and May 1994 was a profitable month. The company sold $300 million of technology to create a rural cellphone network in Mexico and another $82 million in “switching systems” for telecommunication infrastructure, to the Chinese provinces of Tianjin, Shaanxi, and Hebei.

A group of 24 hotels and motels near Pearson Airport formally organized a neighbourhood watch, of sorts, in May 1994. Trials began a month before, using fax machines to send out alerts, a North American first according to the Toronto Star.

The City of Mississauga had developed software to let senior staff access financial updates, called the Executive Information System. In May 1994, the City won an award from the Urban and Regional Information System Association, for this innovative software.

What else happened in Mississauga’s tech industry, that month? Canadian Satellite Communications announced that they were partnering with Bell, who intended to start offering television service by 1995. ComStream, owned by Canadarm maker Spar Aerospace, sold American authorities on a satellite communications network for air traffic controllers at two airports. RAM Technology offered investment-tracking software, MaranGraphics sold illustrated computer manuals, and the Canadian offices of computer-maker AST developed a new operating system, ASTWorks.

At least two Mississauga tech leaders have since become celebrities. Robert Herjavec, of Dragon’s Den and Shark Tank fame, was the president of Brak Systems Inc, which focused on “asynchronous transfer mode telecommunications.” Softkey International, who offered everything from tax software to a graphic design program, left Mississauga for Massachusetts in 1994, after a merger. Its president was Kevin O’Leary, later a television columnist, venture capitalist and a one-time political candidate.

Throwback Thursday is provided by Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives. PAMA is a place to explore, learn and make connections about Peel Region’s culture and heritage. PAMA is located at 9 Wellington Street East, Brampton, and online at pama.peelregion.ca.



