253:'s personal computer division. He left in 1993, citing long hours, and took a sabbatical while holding his stock options in Compaq. Johns observed the computer industry from a distance and observed that the companies earning the most in sales were intelligent with their packaging and had their logistics in order. Johns felt that Compaq were opposites in the latter regard: "It seemed like we always had monitors in Singapore when we needed them in Europe or too many computers in Germany when we needed them in Italy". Johns felt that he could compete with
27:
485:
464:
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422:
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with the trust afforded by tangible goods on the retail floor, as Compaq had managed. This marriage of approaches was dubbed "Dellpaq" by Andrew Watson, Monorail's VP of marketing in 1997, and was to be further augmented with a sub-$ 1000 price, to entice first-time computer buyers. The co-founders soon hired other technology companies to manage the company and design its products. Most of
Monorail's initial executive roster included employees from
589:, to make its computer towers. The all-in-one Monorail PC was discontinued around the same time. In the fourth quarter that year, the company began selling network-enhanced computers for businesses under the Monorail NPC brand. These computers were manufactured by SCI. They received lukewarm praise from technology journalists but sold fairly well.
556:
used to stamp out the steel case of the computer broke in early 1997, leading to a week-long shortage until a subcontractor successfully built a new die in five days. More urgently, Phelps found itself millions of dollars in debt and stalled manufacturing of the
Monorail PC amid layoffs, leading to
551:
While the
Monorail PC initially seemed to be performing well, stiff competition from computer companies introducing sub-$ 1000 desktops in 1997 led sales to flounder. According to Roy Edwards of Colorado Electronic, "the same time the Monorail product hit the market, the market fell apart and there
531:
The computer sold well at CompUSA, becoming one of the top five best-selling computers within two months. Some of CompUSA's 122 locations hiked the price up by as much as $ 100, which CompUSA's marketing VP Andrew Watson said was a consequence of the company's flexible pricing agreement. Monorail
268:
Johns scouted two of his colleagues from Compaq, David Hocker and
Nicholas Forlenza, to co-found the company with him. The core marketing strategy the three laid out before production of any computers began was to combine the slim inventory of Gateway and Dell (due to their build-to-order nature)
521:
off the computer was slim, any production stoppage or mishap put the company at risk of insolvency. Purchasers who peeled or punctured a label in order to disassemble the
Monorail PC voided their one-year warranty, only the first 90 days of which providing no labor charges. Doubling the stock
370:
panel. Phelps assembled the
Monorail from their 200,000 sq ft factory in Kansas City, in which they employed between 500 and 600 employees. As production ramped up, Phelps added a production line for the Monorail PC in their 60,000 sq ft factory in
304:. The result was the Monorail PC, a system roughly 80 percent the size of a desktop computer but twice as heavy as a laptop. Phelps Technologies and FedEx were hired for manufacturing and distribution respectively. Meanwhile, James Clarke, a former
1059:
217:, the company "helped spawn a revolution in personal computers ... machines for as little as $ 999 in an effort to woo new price-sensitive users", to which larger manufacturers like Compaq and
292:'s specification for the optimal box size for a package weighing between 6.75 to 11.25 kg (14.9 to 24.8 lb). As a box of that size and weight capacity could not remotely fit a
1272:
1110:
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agreed to sell the
Monorail PC in fall 1996; merchandising chief Larry Mondry was attracted by the computer's form factor, while Monorail promised to minimize inventory.
1067:
1204:
1429:
1404:
1221:
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999:
1296:
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331:, entered the computer manufacturing business in the early 1990s assembling Compaq's Prolinea systems, later earning contract work from Dell,
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343:. The Monorail PC was the first computer Phelps manufactured from the ground up. Phelps in turn hired Complex Plastics of
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165:
1028:
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seemed to be increased competition". Production was marred by a number of setbacks, the first occurring when the
355:
1038:
1007:
358:
plastic parts and
Colorado Electronic Hardware for electronic components. Phelps additionally commissioned
288:
computer that fit within a volume of 48.26 by 48.26 by 24.13 cm (19.00 by 19.00 by 9.50 in), per
274:
1304:
557:
an order backlog of 90 days toward the end of 1997. In
January 1998, Monorail fired Phelps and turned to
1263:
284:
As Johns felt that packaging optimization was crucial, he and his colleagues built the prototype for an
494:
473:
452:
431:
406:
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In late
December 1997, Monorail introduced three standard mini-towers with processors ranging from an
593:
367:
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market and sold $ 2 million worth of Compaq's shares to put into the formation of Monorail in 1995.
605:
597:
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opined that these surcharges led to the user "paying a huge premium over conventional upgrades".
324:
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8 MB and adding 512 KB or video memory cost $ 199 plus shipping. Stephen Manes of the
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375:. Phelps' combined workforce on the Monorail peaked at 1,200 in 1996. In contrast, Monorail's
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monitor—a display technology common for the time—Johns fit the computer with a flat panel
8:
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of $ 999. A successor model upgrading the Monorail PC's processor from a 75 MHz
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to manufacture the computer's keyboard. Monorail erstwhile sourced the LCD from
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at 200 MHz. Monorail switched manufacturers again in March 1998, hiring
518:
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based in Atlanta. Monorail ceased operations and shut down on July 9, 2005.
281:. The California-based NameLab was hired to conjure the Monorail trademark.
592:
Johns left Monorail in 2002 to become senior VP of worldwide operations at
541:
533:
26:
1019:
Business Market Management: Understanding, Creating, and Delivering Value
582:
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1145:"Computer options expand as firms shift the focus to first-time buyers"
201:
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237:
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795:
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469:
The Monorail - An All-In-One Windows 95 Computer! (Retrospective)
372:
317:
205:
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The Monorail Computer Owner's Kit! - Unboxing and System Restore
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headquarters were 40 people strong by October that year.
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The Monorail PC was released in late November 1996 at a
730:
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665:
663:
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312:, negotiated a deal with his former employer to handle
1039:"Business Search – Monorail Computer Corporation"
775:
622:
620:
181:, was an American computer company founded in 1995 in
1337:. International Society of Automation. Archived from
1252:"Phelps Technologies Inc. files for Chapter 11 in KC"
852:
840:
1138:(47). IDG Publications: 30 – via Google Books.
1087:(44). IDG Publications: 20 – via Google Books.
828:
725:
656:
1262:(21). American Business Journals: 1. Archived from
1245:. Dow Jones & Company: B1 – via ProQuest.
1239:"A PC Maker's Low-Tech Formula: Start With the Box"
895:
883:
818:
816:
814:
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713:
617:
192:The company produced the Monorail PC, which was an
1367:(709). CMP Publications: 181 – via ProQuest.
1016:
632:
382:
1158:"Marietta company ready to market $ 999 computer"
1391:
1331:"Nivis names Doug Johns Chief Executive Officer"
809:
710:
517:was released in December 1996. As the company's
245:Principal founder H. Douglas "Doug" Johns (born
1430:Defunct computer companies of the United States
1104:(12). Ziff-Davis: 168 – via Google Books.
1405:2005 disestablishments in Georgia (U.S. state)
1349:. Monorail Inc. March 23, 2003. Archived from
1324:(53). Ziff-Davis: 44 – via Gale OneFile.
1297:"Monorail back on course with newest computer"
1219:
1000:"Monorail hires a new company to make its PCs"
650:
540:, and Egghead Computer as retail partners and
1345:
1014:
969:
704:
427:Examination of the sixteenth Monorail PC sold
1328:
1311:
1303:. American Business Journals. Archived from
1015:Anderson, James C.; Narus, James A. (1999).
1006:. American Business Journals. Archived from
957:
929:
1400:1995 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)
1355:Compare to next available archive snapshot.
1286:(12). Mansueto Ventures: 48. Archived from
1205:"Your $ 1,000 Computer May Not Be So Grand"
1194:(12). Mansueto Ventures: 48. Archived from
1177:. Cox Enterprises: E3 – via ProQuest.
1164:. Cox Enterprises: F2 – via ProQuest.
1151:. Cox Enterprises: Q2 – via ProQuest.
448:Repair and interior view of the Monorail PC
1108:
1045:. Office of the Georgia Secretary of State
799:
784:
25:
16:American computer manufacturer (1995–2005)
1425:Computer companies disestablished in 2005
1415:American companies disestablished in 2005
1314:"Monorail debuts trio of MMX desktop PCs"
1077:"Monorail tracks into low-cost PC market"
316:. Shortly before the computer's release,
232:
224:Monorail ceased operations in July 2005.
1361:"Ex-Compaq executives start new company"
1294:
1143:Kanell, Michael E. (November 10, 1996).
1058:Corcoran, Elizabeth (November 6, 1996).
1057:
834:
626:
236:
1295:Shmukler, Evelina (November 23, 1998).
1236:
1168:
1156:Kanell, Michael E. (October 27, 1996).
1155:
1142:
1111:"Monorail Jumps Aboard Computer Market"
1109:Goldsberry, Clare (November 11, 1996).
997:
917:
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846:
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753:
749:
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684:
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1420:Computer companies established in 1995
1410:American companies established in 1995
1392:
1220:O'Crockett, Roger (October 12, 1998).
1117:. Crain Communications. Archived from
569:Reorganization and decline (1997–2003)
249:1948) was previously the president of
1358:
1202:
1181:
1125:
1091:
1060:"The PC Stands for 'Price-Conscious'"
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889:
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1273:"This 'Virtual' Company Is for Real"
1249:
1074:
913:
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822:
803:
1435:Defunct computer hardware companies
1270:
1237:Ramstad, Evan (December 29, 1997).
1203:Manes, Stephen (January 28, 1997).
719:
700:
13:
1440:Defunct computer systems companies
1359:Young, Monica (November 1, 1996).
1329:Staff writer (December 17, 2009).
1312:Staff writer (December 22, 1997).
1250:Roth, Stephen (February 6, 1998).
1171:"Monorail computers a hot product"
1169:Kempner, Matt (January 16, 1997).
1126:Hayes, Frank (November 18, 2002).
1075:Deck, Stewart (October 28, 1996).
998:Allison, David (January 9, 1998).
14:
1451:
1373:
1182:Layne, Arri (February 29, 2000).
1092:Evans, Frank J. (June 30, 1998).
1386: (archived January 25, 1997)
1175:The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1162:The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1149:The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
604:, a developer and integrator of
483:
462:
441:
420:
395:
1228:. Bloomberg L.P. Archived from
982:Georgia Secretary of State 2022
383:Market introduction (1996–1997)
1222:"PC Makers Race to the Bottom"
308:executive whom Johns hired as
147:Andrew Watson, VP of marketing
1:
1066:. p. C11. Archived from
1043:Georgia Corporations Division
990:
577:clocked at 166 MHz to a
246:
179:Monorail Computer Corporation
20:Monorail Computer Corporation
1271:Row, Heath (December 1997).
1256:Kansas City Business Journal
611:
548:as enterprise distributors.
7:
241:Logo used from 1995 to 1998
31:Logo used from 1998 to 2003
10:
1456:
1301:Atlanta Business Chronicle
1004:Atlanta Business Chronicle
227:
705:Anderson & Narus 1999
594:Internet Security Systems
544:, SED International, and
482:
461:
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419:
402:Overview of a Monorail PC
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40:Monorail Inc. (1995–1998)
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24:
606:wireless sensor networks
596:. In 2009, he was named
598:chief executive officer
310:chief financial officer
1365:Computer Reseller News
1226:Bloomberg Businessweek
1215:on September 29, 2009.
1094:"Monorail NPC 7230 NT"
1010:on September 20, 2002.
507:suggested retail price
298:liquid-crystal display
242:
233:Foundation (1995–1996)
214:Bloomberg Businessweek
189:executive Doug Johns.
108:; 19 years ago
70:; 28 years ago
1347:"Welcome to Monorail"
1290:on November 21, 2007.
565:the following month.
563:Chapter 11 bankruptcy
240:
208:by about five years.
68:November 2, 1995
1341:on January 24, 2022.
1307:on January 24, 2022.
1266:on January 24, 2022.
1232:on January 24, 2022.
1211:: C5. Archived from
1198:on January 31, 2015.
1121:on January 24, 2022.
1243:Wall Street Journal
1070:on August 28, 2017.
1064:The Washington Post
707:, pp. 132–133.
587:Huntsville, Alabama
561:. Phelps filed for
314:accounts receivable
194:all-in-one computer
153:Number of employees
21:
1353:on March 23, 2003.
1209:The New York Times
1128:"The Story So Far"
970:Monorail Inc. 2003
513:to a 200 MHz
243:
196:with a flat-panel
19:
1023:. Prentice Hall.
958:Staff writer 2009
930:Staff writer 1997
503:
502:
412:Lazy Game Reviews
345:Boulder, Colorado
271:Texas Instruments
183:Marietta, Georgia
172:
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134:Marietta, Georgia
106:July 9, 2005
95:Nicholas Forlenza
59:Computer hardware
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1380:Official website
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498:(by Michael MJD)
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477:(by Michael MJD)
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360:NMB Technologies
349:injection molded
300:borrowed from a
294:cathode-ray tube
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221:followed suit.
219:Packard Bell NEC
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651:O'Crockett 1998
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456:(by BBISHOPPCM)
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390:External videos
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538:MicroWarehouse
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368:passive-matrix
306:SunTrust Banks
275:Global Village
263:build-to-order
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200:. It predated
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891:
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772:, p. B1.
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722:, p. 48.
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672:, p. B1.
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641:, p. 30.
640:
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628:
627:Shmukler 1998
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1339:the original
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1288:the original
1283:
1280:Fast Company
1279:
1264:the original
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766:Kanell 1996a
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750:Ramstad 1997
735:Kanell 1996a
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259:Gateway 2000
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185:, by former
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177:, later the
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166:monorail.com
129:Headquarters
92:David Hocker
45:Company type
1098:PC Magazine
579:Pentium MMX
329:Kansas City
325:metal press
1394:Categories
1335:Automation
991:References
946:Layne 2000
942:Evans 1998
890:Manes 1997
689:Young 1996
639:Hayes 2002
323:Phelps, a
286:all-in-one
168:(archived)
143:Key people
113:2005-07-09
89:Doug Johns
75:1995-11-02
914:Roth 1998
874:Deck 1996
823:Roth 1998
804:Roth 1998
612:Citations
546:Tech Data
327:based in
124:Dissolved
1049:April 1,
720:Row 1997
701:Row 1997
377:Marietta
337:AT&T
55:Industry
37:Formerly
1382:at the
1318:PC Week
495:YouTube
474:YouTube
453:YouTube
432:YouTube
407:YouTube
373:Houston
318:CompUSA
261:in the
228:History
206:iMac G4
162:Website
111: (
103:Defunct
83:Founder
73: (
65:Founded
49:Private
1027:
575:AMD K6
559:Synnex
511:AMD K5
347:, for
339:, and
302:laptop
279:Oracle
277:, and
251:Compaq
187:Compaq
136:, U.S.
1276:(PDF)
602:Nivis
364:Sharp
333:Xerox
290:FedEx
202:Apple
1051:2022
1025:ISBN
410:(by
257:and
255:Dell
121:Fate
600:of
585:of
554:die
493:on
472:on
451:on
430:on
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356:ABS
341:IBM
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