# Core International

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{{Short description|US-based computer and technology corporation}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Promotional|date=July 2025}}
{{More citations needed|date=July 2025}}
{{Undisclosed paid|date=July 2025}}
}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2025}}

{{Infobox company
| name = Core International, Inc.
| logo = Core International logo.svg
| type = [Private](/source/Private_Company)
| foundation = 1979 Incorporated 1981 in Florida, United States
| founder = [Hal Prewitt](/source/Hal_Prewitt)
| key_people = {{unbulleted list|After sale: |Dr. Susumu Yoshida|Hajime Unoki|Yoshio Ishigaki}}
| location = Originally [Boca Raton, Florida](/source/Boca_Raton%2C_Florida)
| industry = [Computer hardware](/source/Computer_hardware) and [Computer software](/source/Computer_software)
| products = {{unbulleted list|[Computer data storage](/source/Computer_data_storage)|[Disk array](/source/Disk_array)|[Hard disk drives](/source/Hard_disk_drives)|[Backup software](/source/Backup_software)|[Personal computers](/source/Personal_computers)}}
| assets = Unknown
| homepage = {{URL|www.sony.com}}
| num_employees = 
}}
'''CORE International Inc.''', commonly referred to as '''Core,'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.trademarkia.com/core-73587709.html|title=CORE|publisher= Registered Trademark|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref> was a multinational [computer](/source/computer) and [technology](/source/technology) corporation headquartered in [Boca Raton](/source/Boca_Raton%2C_Florida), [Florida](/source/Florida).

'''Core''' was founded in 1979<ref name="Whiz kid">{{cite news|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-6378228.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106075453/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-6378228.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 6, 2013|title=Hal Prewitt; a computer whiz kid challenges the big boys|publisher=[Florida Trend](/source/Florida_Trend)|accessdate=October 30, 2013 | date=August 1, 1987}}</ref> by [Hal Prewitt](/source/Hal_Prewitt) as a technology firm to develop, market, and support computer-related products and services. It was known for supporting [IBM's](/source/IBM) first business [microcomputer](/source/microcomputer)s, such as the [5100](/source/IBM_5100), [5110](/source/IBM_5110), and [5120](/source/IBM_5120). With the introduction of the [IBM PC](/source/IBM_PC) and [PC AT](/source/PC_AT), the company provided a line of [disk drives](/source/disk_drives), [backup](/source/backup) solutions, and [personal computer](/source/personal_computer) products.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Core International of Computer Science Topics {{!}} Question AI |url=https://www.questionai.com/knowledge/knoG0v2BGY-core-international |access-date=2025-07-14 |website=www.questionai.com |language=en}}</ref> '''Core''' remained a [private](/source/Private_Company) company solely owned by [Prewitt](/source/Hal_Prewitt) until 1993,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1992-04-14/business/9202020890_1_aiwa-prewitt-core|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725001331/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1992-04-14/business/9202020890_1_aiwa-prewitt-core|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 25, 2011|title=Japanese Firm Invests Heavily In Boca's Core|publisher=[Sun-Sentinel](/source/Sun-Sentinel)|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref> when it was purchased<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.alacrastore.com/storecontent/Thomson_M&A/Aiwa_Co_Ltd_Sony_Corp_acquires_Core_International-252303020|title=Aiwa Co Ltd(Sony Corp) acquires Core International|publisher=[Thomson Financial Mergers & Acquisitions](/source/Thomson_Financial_Mergers_%26_Acquisitions)|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref> by [Aiwa](/source/Aiwa), a wholly owned subsidiary of [Sony](/source/Sony).

==History==
===1975–1980: Founding===
Core was founded by Prewitt to sell and program [mini computers](/source/Mini-computers), assemble [micro-computer](/source/microcomputer)s, [computer peripheral](/source/computer_peripheral)s, and integrate them into business [computer systems](/source/computer_systems).<ref name=":1" />

Core was marketed as an [association](/source/Voluntary_association) and created as a [for-profit organization](/source/For-Profit_Organization), specifically for users of the [IBM 5100 Series](/source/IBM_5110) and [IBM System/23](/source/IBM_System%2F23).<ref>{{cite web |title=Join Core circa 1980 |url=http://coreinternational.info/198007_Join_Core_Letter.pdf |accessdate=March 31, 2010 |publisher=Core}}</ref> The company's objective was to distribute computer supplies via mail order, deliver pre-developed (off-the-shelf) software, and provide hardware maintenance services. Supplies included [printer ribbons](/source/Dot_matrix_printer), [paper](/source/Continuous_stationery), [diskettes](/source/Floppy_disk), and [tape cartridges](/source/Magnetic_tape_data_storage). Software ranged from mortgage interest calculators, word processing, games, and utilities to payroll, accounting, and Industry-Specific Applications.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Viroli |first=Mirko |date=2025-07-10 |title=New Editor-in-Chief of Software |journal=Software |volume=4 |issue=3 |pages=16 |doi=10.3390/software4030016 |doi-access=free |issn=2674-113X}}</ref>

Users of the IBM 5100 Series were referred to Core by IBM sales representatives.<ref name="Whiz kid" />

===1981–1983: Hard disk drives, LAN and PC for IBM 5100 series ===
Source:<ref>{{Citation |title=Hal Prewitt |date=2025-07-13 |work=Wikipedia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hal_Prewitt&oldid=1300342184 |access-date=2025-07-19 |language=en}}</ref>

In September 1982, Core announced the availability of the first [hard disk drives](/source/hard_disk_drives)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coreinternational.info/1981_5110_Disk_Brochure.pdf|title=Save IBM 5110/20's from junk yards of the world |publisher=Core|accessdate=March 31, 2010}}</ref>{{bsn|date=July 2025|reason=Additional of updated information}} and [local area network (LAN)](/source/Local_area_network)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coreinternational.info/1982_Sept_CORE_Newsletter.pdf|title=September 1982 Core Newsletter|publisher=Core|accessdate=April 14, 2010}}</ref>{{bsn|date=July 2025}} for the [IBM 5100 Series](/source/IBM_5110). Previously sold IBM systems were storage-limited and lacked network option; the [5100](/source/IBM_5100) had tape, while the [5110](/source/IBM_5110) and [5120](/source/IBM_5120) restricted to 1.2 Mb floppy disks. Core drives were available starting at 10 Mb and increased up to 160 Mb in removable and fixed configurations.

Core-Net, the [LAN](/source/Local_area_network) built into each Core [storage system](/source/computer_data_storage), allowed interconnection of up to eight IBM 5100 Series systems, enabling shared storage and data. This configuration pre-dated LANs of the period for the [IBM PC](/source/IBM_PC) and [compatibles](/source/IBM_PC_compatible).{{Citation needed|date=July 2025}}

In 1983, Core introduced two major solutions as IBM was withdrawing from marketing the IBM 5100 series. First software called PC51 allowed 5100 series computer programs written in [BASIC](/source/BASIC) to run unmodified on the IBM PC and compatibles under [MS-DOS](/source/MS-DOS). Second, a LAN card for the [IBM PC](/source/IBM_Personal_Computer) and compatibles that provided connection to the IBM 5100 Series network.{{Citation needed|date=July 2025}}

===1984–1986: Educating the marketplace, IBM VAD, hard disk drives, PC and backup===<!-- Hal Prewitt links here -->
In 1984, Core entered the [personal computer](/source/personal_computer) (PC) marketplace. The company's first product introduced the year before, called PC-51, was an operating system (and language) for the [IBM PC](/source/IBM_PC) and [compatibles](/source/IBM_PC_compatible). It enabled a PC to function like an IBM 5110/5120 system.<ref name=":2" />

This new product opened up an unexplored marketplace for Core by allowing the company to become an IBM [value-added reseller](/source/value-added_reseller) and sell both the IBM PC and Core products individually and as a combined package. IBM authorized and promoted this relationship. As a result of the early development effort for the IBM 5100 series, Core released its own family of hard disk drives called the ATplus Series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coreinternational.info/1984_ATplus_Brochure.pdf|title=ATplus|publisher=Core|accessdate=March 31, 2010}}</ref>

A few weeks after the introduction of the new [IBM AT](/source/IBM_AT) in August 1984, Core discovered problems in the factory-issued hard disk drive. As the media and marketplace became aware of IBM's disk problems, Core began offering alternative solutions during a period of limited competition. For more than six months, the IBM AT model with the [CMI](/source/Computer_Memories_Inc.) was in short supply.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6i4EAAAAMBAJ&q=shortage+IBM+pc+at+infoworld&pg=PA33|title=Waiting for the AT Train|date=January 28, 1985|publisher=[InfoWorld](/source/InfoWorld)|accessdate=April 14, 2010}}</ref> Delays were attributed to lack of drives, technical problems with the machine, and other issues.

Core desired a major partner and established a collaboration with [Control Data Corporation (CDC)](/source/Control_Data_Corporation) to work on the introduction of the drives for the PC marketplace. The announcement<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coreinternational.info/1985_PCW_on_ATplus_Anouncm.pdf|title=Core, Control Data Offer AT Disk-Upgrade Kits|publisher=Core|accessdate=March 31, 2010}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite web|url=http://www.coreinternational.info/1985_MM_on_ATplus_Announcment.pdf|title=IBM VAD Sells own drives|publisher=Core|accessdate=March 31, 2010}}</ref> was made in February 1985.

Purchasers of the IBM AT reported some dealers<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qy8EAAAAMBAJ&q=march%2010%2C%201986%20infoworld&pg=PA1|title=Dealers Pawn Off Inferior Drives|date=March 10, 1986|publisher=[InfoWorld](/source/InfoWorld)|accessdate=April 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Oi8EAAAAMBAJ&q=infoworld+march+10,+1986++%22dealers+pawn%22&pg=PA5|title=Substandard Components Still Surfacing|date=March 31, 1986|publisher=[InfoWorld](/source/InfoWorld)|accessdate=April 14, 2010}}</ref> were installing inferior drives into the computer without disclosing this fact. Core developed the DiskP program, later replaced by the COREtest<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sta.c64.org/dosprg.html|title=Useful DOS Software|publisher=Joe Forster|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref> (DOS based), to identify sub-standard products by providing a visual demonstration of the speed and comparative measurements of hard disk drives and controllers. Many computer publications,<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ty8EAAAAMBAJ&q=Coretest&pg=PA43|title=Equity II Competes as a low-priced clone|date=June 9, 1986|publisher=[InfoWorld](/source/InfoWorld)|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.patsula.com/books/gb24.pdf|title=Buying Computer Hardware|publisher=Patsula Media|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref> hardware manufacturers, distributors, dealers<ref>Borrett, Lloyd. "[https://www.borrett.id.au/computing/art-1985-09-01.htm "Megabyte Tarnish]," ''PC Australia'', September 1985; url accessed March 8, 2010</ref> and independent evaluation firms<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.everypatent.com/comp/pat5295247.html|title=Patent 5295247|publisher=[United States Patent Office](/source/United_States_Patent_Office)|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref> employed COREtest for product comparison, which led to widespread citation of COREtest in computing publications and evaluation reports. {{cn|date=July 2025}}

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
{{portal|Companies}}
* [http://www.sony.com/ Sony official website]<!-- Why does this link to Sony? -->

Category:Defunct computer companies of the United States
Category:Defunct computer hardware companies
Category:Defunct software companies of the United States
Category:Computer storage companies
Category:Backup software
Category:Hard disk drives
Category:Portable hard drives
Category:RAID
Category:Software companies based in Florida
Category:Companies based in Boca Raton, Florida
Category:American companies established in 1979
Category:Computer companies established in 1979
Category:Software companies established in 1979
Category:American companies disestablished in 1993
Category:Computer companies disestablished in 1993
Category:Software companies disestablished in 1993
Category:1979 establishments in Florida
Category:1993 disestablishments in Florida
Category:Defunct manufacturing companies based in Florida

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Core International](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Core_International) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Core_International?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.