San Jose-based Microport Systems, the Unix for Intel spinout from Digital Research Inc that fell into a serious decline last year, has been acquired by Abraxus Software International Inc of Lincoln, California, a developer of integrated business software for the Unix and Xenix markets. Terms were undisclosed. Abraxus intends to build on Microport’s Unix operating system business, which was established in 1986, and at one time held third place in the Intel-based Unix operating system stakes behind Santa Cruz Operation and Interactive Systems Corp. Since then, however, Intel Corp itself has entered the operating systems market following its acquisition of Bell Technologies Inc and competition is fierce. Microport Unix is currently available for 80286 and 80386 systems, and an 80486 release is planned. New president of Microport is Sherman Kaspar, described as a seasoned software industry executive, who was previously president and chief executive officer of Document Systems Inc. According to Kaspar, the Microport product is still well respected, the customer base still loyal and the growth potential still great.
