What Happened to That
Company Known as
"Outbound Systems, Inc."?
On December 8, 1992, due to tremendous price pressure and diminished margins in the personal computer marketplace and competitive pressure from Apple Computer, Outbound Systems ceased manufacturing operations.
In early to mid April of 1992, Apple had implemented a pricing structure for the PowerBook line designed to increase their market-share in the notebook arena. This pricing structure was designed to make the PowerBook more competitive cost-wise. This pricing structure had a secondary effect of eliminating the pricing niche Outbound Systems had existed in. After that time, Outbound could no longer profitably produce its line of domestically engineered and manufactured Notebook Systems and peripherals.
Faced with an increasing operating deficit and dwindling revenues from the Notebook line, Outbound's management felt they had little other choice but to cease operations. A majority of the 60+ Outbound employees were laid off and the remaining skeletal crew began the process of disassembling the operation.
Great effort was taken to provide an alternative source of service and support for existing Outbound customers. Several bids were entertained for the purchase of the service rights to the Outbound Product line. Premier among the requirements was a demonstrable ability to continue providing the service and support Outbound customers were used to. The Outbound management decided to accept the bid from a group of ex-Outbound technical support and service specialists which became known as PerFit, Inc.
Okay, I understand that, but what happened to PerFit?
PerFit ceased it's operations in late 1994, thus eliminating the only source of service and support for the Outbound line of computers.
Is there light at the end of the tunnel?
Since June of 1996, Cory Burton has been providing service and support over the Internet. Cory was employed by Outbound Systems (as a repair technician and a telephone support representative) at the time of their shut down. He was also a key member of the group of ex-Outbound people that started supporting Outbounds through PerFit.