Martin R. Browne’s oral history offers a valuable glimpse into the early days of the software industry and the remarkable rise of ASK Computer Systems. His account is filled with insights about the development of MANMAN, the challenges of managing a rapidly growing company, and the internal dynamics at play during key transitions.
Browne’s dedication to understanding user needs, his commitment to disciplined development practices, and his constant search for innovative solutions are inspiring qualities for anyone in the tech industry. His story reminds us that success often stems from a combination of technical expertise, business acumen, and the ability to adapt to changing technological landscapes.
This interview holds significant historical importance as it provides a firsthand account of the evolution of manufacturing software, the rise and fall of timesharing services, and the emergence of minicomputers as a viable platform for business applications. Browne’s experiences offer valuable lessons for entrepreneurs, developers, and anyone interested in the history of the tech industry.
On the early days of ASK and MANMAN:
- “Sandy [Kurtzig] had a project in the summer of 1973 that created a rudimentary bill of material, purchasing, inventory system on Tymshare’s network.” This highlights the early beginnings of MANMAN, which would become a major success in the manufacturing software industry.
- “We prototyped and then we documented.” This quote reflects the agile development approach adopted by ASK, contrasting with the traditional waterfall method.
- “If I had to put my finger on one critical tool, Image was that critical tool.” Browne emphasizes the importance of HP’s Image database management system in building MANMAN.
On the growth and challenges of ASK:
- “The growth period for the entire history of ASK was pretty extraordinary.” This emphasizes the rapid and remarkable growth experienced by ASK in its early years.
- “My core development team, which liked me quite a bit, got T-shirts printed up and wore them on the day Ken [Fox] started. I did not wear mine. It said ‘ASK me if I care.’” This anecdote reveals Browne’s initial resentment towards the arrival of a new VP above him, highlighting the internal dynamics of a growing company.
- “We modularized it based on the business application, first manufacturing, and then financials, which included accounts payable, general ledger, fixed assets and payroll.” This quote explains the modular design of MANMAN, allowing customers to purchase specific functionalities based on their needs.
On Sandy Kurtzig’s departure and return:
- “I don’t see that Sandy was ever pushed any of the times she made decisions. She made decisions for herself.” Browne offers his perspective on Kurtzig’s decision to leave ASK in 1984, suggesting it was her own choice rather than a forced exit.
- “She fundamentally believed that we weren’t taking advantage of the next generation of hardware.” This quote sheds light on Kurtzig’s motivation for returning to ASK in 1989, driven by her belief that the company was falling behind technologically.
On Browne’s vision and eventual departure:
- “I was always working on in the back of my mind was figuring out what tools would allow us to re-create MANMAN in a UNIX environment or a graphical environment.” This quote reveals Browne’s forward-thinking approach and his desire to adapt MANMAN to new technological landscapes.
- “The writing was on the wall. Sandy had brought in a guy named Pier Carlo Falotti from DEC to run the company.” Browne recognizes the changing dynamics within ASK and decides to leave in 1994.
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