All change at Flan

 

By Ralph Bancroft

Flan Computers, originally Samurai and later Elan, has changed its name again - but the new one promises to cause even more confusions.

Flan (Issue 53) has become Enterprise Computers, which is the name of its forthcoming first product. Its also a remakably popular name in the micro business.

Enterprise was the name given to a desktop microcomputer from Data general. Flan has signed an agreement with Data General that allows it to use the Enterprise name, worldwide, for home computer products. Neither company was prepared to discuss how much money was involved in the deal.

In the UK it will be interesting to see how many people will confuse Enterprise Computers with Enterprise Technology Ltd, a Wigan company that makes a printer interface board for the Spectrum.

Then, of course, there will be more than a few who will think that Enterprise Software Products Ltd is the main supplier of games software for the new machine. It is, in fact, a software house specialising in CP/M and MP/M software.

If you ring Enterprise System Group Ltd in Thames Ditton, a pleasant voice answers with the single word 'Enterprise'. A spokesman for the company, which markets business packages and special applications running on minis and mainframe computers, said that it was the first he had heard of Flan Computers and its intention to use the name Enterprise.

'I'm surprised that the Registrar of Companies allowed them to register the name, 'he said.

In fact, Flan has not yet registered the name Enterprise Computers Ltd. There is a Small hitch - a company called Enterprise Computers Ltd already exist.

'The company was registered some years ago,' said Michael Shirley, Flan's marketing director,'but it has ceased trading and is currently in the hands of the liquidators. We have acquired the name and are legally entitled to use it.' But Flan has yet to change the name at Companies House.

So the company is Flan, trading as Enterprise Computers.