SuccessInc 1987-1997 | Creation of the ASP Industry & Gateway | Maynard L. Dokken

I thought the idea was simple. Provide a system over a network that people could use to connect service providers and access. It started as a hobby to link access to bulletin boards and newsgroups. It became a project when we knew it needed money for new hardware and customized programming. SuccessInc was founded in 1987 for that purpose. It had one piece it needed, access to a dial up new network called UUNET. We were going to need always available for my idea to work.

At the beginning we all saw many industries and niches that could benefit from a customized Usenet application from a customized Usenet application. We never understood the work that would be required to make it happen or the anger and concerns we would be facing like a headwind..

After the blowback from discussions for insurance agent applications, employment was the most obvious. I had friends in Universities needed Employment Offices access to find jobs. They were the ones with access to networks such as UUNET. They had access to computers and with this information accessible from campus they could look for job listings on campus instead of going into employment offices reading cards on physical job boards or waiting for snail mail. It was a logical purpose for this invention otherwise they would have to go to the local office and read cards on physical job boards.

The focus was to connect government and public employment service boards using a shared BBS login. This became a Usenet model requirement once we understood the method Usenet applications were using for distribution of articles. There were no systems of this type either physical or software based that could share this data or access.

In 1987-1998 we created a server for that purpose. We had access to the Usenet newsgroups we needed to create a news server that would be available and customizable for Employment. There became several obvious challenges and these pushed for the solution that ultimately became the application service server or ASP.

This became the new Usenet model once we understood the limited method Usenet applications were using for distribution of articles.

From an IBM PS/2 we created a server with two serial modem interfaces that connected to the UUNET gateway and a global Usenet & BBS for access to University networks and Government Institutions. They could now connect and post jobs either online or post and print/copy postings to physical cards. Universities and Government Organizations were going to be able to connect new candidates to new job listings (postings) in real time. We also repurposed BBS as a questions and answers section for these new applications by creating a new profile or Usenet group.

We built the new custom newsgroup exchange server using Minix OS for Shell Access to the Online Recruitment Board with a custom data exchange protocol or script. The selection of Minix was primarily a cost issue as other distributions of OS were restricted or closed/proprietary and we needed open and free. As well we needed database support or file system that worked with Minix and we were fortunate to find a Minix database version.

After review of SDF BBS used for games we realized a more advanced public BBS was needed so ExecPC was chosen as the Bulletin Board Service for questions and answers accessed through dial-up. The same account as the application accessed the Minix database for application gateway credentials. We synced post and downloaded shared data in plain text form. No need for a complex database only simple user authentication. BBS was the Social Media Dial Up Ancestor at the time, with a caveat it was dial-up access only.

The SuccessInc server was setup as a user and data exchange server between the University Network with shared logins. UUNET and Employment Boards the first known ASP service provider was available in 1988.

Almost all hardware required custom programming, including for two modems to work and receive syncing instructions on the same server.

An interesting note. We had to use two swap out hard drives, in and out of the PS/2, to allow us to update the Minix OS and program the micro channel system bus system for development of the custom Minix OS, using C. Almost everything was proprietary at that time. It was a long and tedious process. We finally got it working in 1988.

At the end of 1988 we were notified UUNET (or internet access) was now a paid service. The monthly fee for T-1 access was $1,500 or about $4,000 today and just for access not counting development costs and time for developing new applications. It was a hobby that became a project that few understood so there were no financial options except self funding. Even though we had a working custom application server, to make it feasible we needed a different market. It was difficult to see a time horizon for adoption by Government entities so we changed the focus to private channels. Corporate entities with free cash that needed to stay ahead of the competitors. The new target market was identified.

End of 1989, beginning of 1990 we started reviewing private corporate networks and marketplace. Looking for the best market to approach. ARPANET the current network framework was replaced by NSFNET wide-area packet switched network. Large companies started advancing their technology systems and networks. Most enterprises were working with simple corporate paid networks accessible through IP to provide their servers and remote employees with data. Several enterprise networks were going through a single port including confidential information.

Even with the most sophisticated firms we found storage and email communication networks with basic network systems security issues and almost none had access security. Almost anyone could access database or content directly through partner networks IP, data, view, download, and print including confidential or non public documents at will. It was like the Wild Wild West.

I spent years working with these agencies to explain weaknesses and how to secure content as well learn about their products and the financial system from the inside. The information available to the tech literate was extremely valuable and payment for my services. They knew I had access, I had told them by email.

Some of this valuable information was from well known rating agencies such as Fitch, S&P & Moody’s. It was like instantly going to the highest paid institutions of learning without passing a single exam. No teacher to spoon fed class sessions, no brakes, I could learn as fast as I wanted.

In 1993 with the advent of the LAN and publication of the Information Security Management Handbook enterprises started to close some holes. This had validated what I had communicated to them for years. They needed to prioritize as new technology advances so did new opportunities to exploit.

Even TLS security or URL automated encrypted session released in 1999 was not provisioned properly in most enterprises. The public in essence had access to corporate information from services that were setup for private inter agency knowledge-bases. Even mid 2000 for many enterprises it was unsecure data with simple URL scan, copy paste into a browser then download.

Managed platform services seemed to be a market we could deliver solutions. We started with securing our own networks and data within SuccessInc architecture and creation of a CRM application for ASP further adopted by AssuredCard.

It was interesting and prophetic. The employment application started the SuccessInc project with the expected follow up being insurance. We had gained so much knowledge on how the financial markets were working trying to help these companies. Ratings agencies interoffice ratings sheets, best practice guides, inter agency and other written guidance that was very useful to understand how the market was functioning at that time and how it was dealing with credit card holders and risk management.

Logically oriented to maximizing profits as any for profit organization it exposed weaknesses in the system for consumers. I saw a potential fix. It needed to be a simple finance service or the regulatory curve would have been daunting. The learning curve was huge.

Based on our research the receivable rating structure and requirements were causing in-balances for consumer credit. Assured Card Corporation was created as the solution. AssuredCredit was created to continue technology development and upgrade the backend technology and security for AssuredCard services.

Launch of Data Center and Cloud Services

Milinx announced the launch of its Application Data Center and a suite of web-delivered business software products in 2000.

This included:

• Server, Storage, and Network Subscription Services
• Web-based applications written in Java and ported to Oracle 8i Database
• Hosting of proprietary solutions at their wholly owned Application Data Center

Key Technologies and Features

The company introduced several innovative technologies:

• miDESKTOP: A hosted operating system environment
• miNETWORK: A network configuration wizard and administration control
• miDRIVE: For data storage and permission levels
• miWEBVOICE: Communications over IP

Integration with legacy applications through import/export features for accounting and address books.

Business Model and Market Position

Milinx positioned itself as:

• An Application Service Provider (ASP)
• A cost-effective alternative to traditional software distribution
• A solution for containing the growth of IT spending for small-to-medium enterprises.

Market Impact

The company reported significant early success:

In its first week of sales, Milinx claimed to have acquired more clients than some established competitors had in longer periods. By October 2000, Milinx announced it had exceeded 30,000 active users.

Security and Infrastructure

Milinx emphasized security in its offerings:

• Implemented SSL encryption for secure connections
• Become a Secure Certificate Authority
• Utilized Sun Microsystems hardware, positioning itself as one of the world's largest pure-play ASPs using Sun technology.

The Application Server architecture of SuceessInc became the building blocks for the next generation ASP applications. It helped AssuredCredit give birth to the Hosted eCommerce Online Payment Gateway. It made possible the launch of an Innovation Powerhouse called Milinx.

With SuccessInc we were building the tools for AssuredCard to deliver its products and services securely. With AssuredCredit and Milinx we built those the tools of the future.

As a note Milinx launched in 1997 and incorporated in 1988 was in no small part based on SuccessInc and AssuredCredit development and innovations. The Minix APPNET and APP OS of  SuccessInc Application Server in 1988 provided the UNix framework. Unix development was used in the core of Milinx services including backend Sun Microsystems servers and the World's First ASP Mobile App developed by Milinx 2000-2001.