Neuron Data
Neuron Data is an American software development company that was founded June 1985 by Alain Rappaport, Patrick Perez and Jean-Marie Chauvet. Their first product, Nexpert, was a C-based, goal-oriented backward chaining and data-driven forward chaining expert system shell for the Macintosh in 1985.[1] The product was ported to the PC, one of the first programs to run under the then nascent Windows.[2][3][4] Under the name Nexpert Object, it was further ported to VAX VMS[5] and all flavors of UNIX workstations, as well as on IBM mainframes.[6]
![](../I/Neuron_Data.gif)
In 1991, Neuron Data released a GUI building tool named Open Interface. The Open Interface Elements development tool won the 1995 Editor's Choice Award from X Journal for the Best Cross-Platform Toolkit.[7]
Neuron Data produced a client-server software development environment named C/S Elements in 1993. The following year, they released Smart Elements, which incorporated support for business rules, enhanced GUI design tools and direct support of external C++ libraries.[8] In 1995 they released Elements Environment, a middleware suite of object-oriented tools that can be used to build distributed applications.[9] Web Element, a component of the version 2.0 Elements Environment, allowed interaction of developed applications with the World Wide Web.[10]
![](../I/Neuron_Data_Elements_Inside.gif)
In order to improve their Java interface development skills, in 1997 Neuron Data acquired the software component company Microline Software. On March 23, 2000, the company was taken public by CEO Thomas F. Kelly;[11] the company name was changed to Blaze Software, with Nasdaq code BLZE. It was then acquired by German software company Brokat. They were sold to HNC, Inc., which, in turn, merged with FICO in 2002.
Products
- Nexpert
- Nexpert Object
- NExtra
- Open Interface
- Elements Environment
- Blaze Advisor
References
- Dunn, Robert J. (September 30, 1985). "Expandable Expertise for Everyday Users". InfoWorld. 7 (39): 30. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
- "Neuron Ships PC Version of Nexpert". InfoWorld. 8 (47): 14. November 24, 1986. Retrieved 2011-06-09.
- Georgas, Nora (June 10, 1986). "New Applications, 3270 Support, Enhance Microsoft's Windows". PC Computing.
- Barney, Douglas (June 9, 1986). "Windows Opens On Wall Street". Computerworld. 20 (23).
- Warner, Edward (July 13, 1987). "AI Meeting to Spotlight Expert System Software". InfoWorld. 9 (28).
- LaPlante, Alice (October 1, 1990). "Bring In The Expert". InfoWorld. 12 (40): 55.
- "Neuron Data wins cross-platform race: OPEN INTERFACE earns The X Journal 1995 Editor's Choice". All Business. May 2, 1995. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
- Hammett, Jim (March 28, 1994). "Smart Elements Offer Direct Support For C++". InfoWorld. 16 (13): 26.
- Lamonica, Martin (July 3, 1995). "Neuron Helps Distribute Apps". InfoWorld. 17 (27): 23. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
- Cox, John (December 18, 1995). "Neuron Data lets users build Web links into existing apps". NetworkWorld. 12 (51): 8. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
- "S1". SEC. Retrieved 2011-06-07.