Tustin-Based MAI to Install Its Software, Resell Minicomputers

MAI Basic Four, the Tustin-based computer-products company, said Tuesday that it signed a $7.5-million agreement to resell computers made by Hewlett-Packard Co.

Under the agreement, MAI will buy about $7.5 million worth of HP 9000 minicomputers and resell them with software designed for use in specific manufacturing applications.

Fred Anderson, president and chief operating officer of MAI, said the company chose Hewlett-Packard for an alliance because of its presence in the manufacturing sector, its flexible product architecture and well-regarded reselling program.

The deal is the second alliance MAI has made with a major computer manufacturer in 1990. In January, MAI signed a contract with NCR Corp. to market its retail point-of-sale terminals with MAI software applications.

The Hewlett-Packard deal is the largest MAI has signed since the Tustin firm reorganized its operations last fall, ceasing to manufacture its own line of computers to focus instead on assembling and reselling machines made by other companies.

Under the restructuring, MAI formed independent business subsidiaries specializing in developing software for specific industries such as hotels, wholesale distribution, health care and construction.