The History of Feedback

Feedback founded by two members of staff at Imperial College, London by Prof. John Westcott and Dr Peter Blackman, in conjunction with Tom Strand.

Feedback sells its servomechanism trainer to other UK Universities.

Feedback moves in the Export market by selling its first products to European Universities.

ES130 Valve-operated AC/DC Servo system launched.

First Educational Logic Trainer made revolutionising the teaching of digital logic.

The company expands its market worldwide and ships products to the Far and Middle East.

First Modular Servo System sold, a version of which is still being sold today and allowed investigation of the control of AC and DC servomechanisms.

The first data capture installation went into Jersey Kapwood, the lace manufacturers. Other customers followed quickly including Rolls Royce, British Nuclear Fuels and Burke Pharmaceuticals.

We needed the big break, and in 1969 we got it. British European Airways (Subsequently part of British Airways) needed shop-floor data collection for its Engineering base at Heathrow. BEA, one of the largest and most sophisticated computer users in the World, ordered Feedback. The system grew rapidly to 70+ terminals, with on-line links to ICL 1900 series computers. Feedback Data had arrived! Our publicity at the time used BEA’s slogan “Number 1 in Europe” to boast of our position in the market. No-one disputed the claim.

Feedback Inc. opens in New Jersey, USA to promote the products of Feedback Instruments throughout the USA. Also taking on the representation of other British manufacturers of Technical Education equipment.

The data collection side of the business expands with the acquisition of Hytron Ltd. and Feedback Data Ltd. was born.

Feedback shows Abacus, the first-ever educational computer to teach programming.

The Teknikit system launched to teach Electricity, Electronics and Transducers.

Feedback’s first system to teach Analogue and Digital Telecommunications launched as part of Teknikit range.

Feedback launched the LANSCOPE – A 4 channel Oscilloscope with a 20 ” screen for front of class demonstration.

Feedback broadens its range of Telecommunications trainer with the Antenna System Demonstrator, ASD512.

ICL became aware of the Feedback Data’s new offering, the 480 series data collection terminal. It was the first of our Terminals to use the microprocessor. The design also incorporated our tough wipe clean membrane keyboard and a 240 character display. If it had a weakness, it was the 40 column card reader so it was unable to read a full 80 column punched card. Even so, the ICL designers reluctantly agreed that it was years ahead of the product they were planning.

Feedback designs MICA modules to teach computer control of applications using Apple, IBM, BBC Acorn, Rockwell AIM 65 and PET Commodore computers.

Feedback plc is formed for flotation on the London Stock Market.

Feedback develops a fibre-optic barcode read head. The design of the fibre-optic head meant that barcodes could now be read in either direction!

Feedback purchases Powertrans Ltd, manufacturers of educational Robotic, CNC and FMS systems.

Feedback wins contract to supply equipment to 110 technical colleges in Mexico.

Feedback breaks into the meteorological world by showing its WRS513 Weather Satellite Receiver on Breakfast TV.

Designed to teach satellite communication, it became an ideal tool for receiving meteorological data for professionals and TV stations.

This equipment revolutionized the weather forecasting industry.

A 3 year contract was successfully negotiated with Plessey for the supply of the 354 Cartridge Drive System to be used with their System X telephone exchange business. It was worth 1.2M a year over a 3 year period, the largest order received to date.

On the 17th January Feedback Data acquired Source Computers Ltd. The joining of the two companies created a mini storm in the data capture Industry. The two companies integrated quickly and the result was the launch of the 7000 series Terminal. This was capable of using either the FACT or FAMS protocols and came with a variety of different keyboards. The 5000 series appeared shortly afterwards.

Discovery software working interactively with Feedback’s Telecommunications system 53-001 is shown to Feedback Agents Conference in Bangkok. The powerful Discovery software included teaching curriculum, Experiment work and real-time virtual instrumentation. This was the world’s first blended teaching solution.

Feedback launches Kestrel Terminals. The range consisted of three basic models, the ATA (Access, Time & Attendance), FTA (Flexitime, Time & Attendance) and the SFM (Shop Floor Monitoring) The Kestrel, has to date, sold more than any other type of Feedback Terminal. It is probably fair to say that the Kestrel set a benchmark in the market for data capture Terminals.

Feedback Instruments enters the world of Process Control, releasing the PROCON system using Discovery interactive software with various Process rigs to teach the control of industrial processes such as Level, Flow, Temperature, Pressure and pH.

Microtrak, our first Access Control application was launched. It was a very advanced and flexible solution for centralised, site wide access control. The access control hardware used within the system proved popular with some of our Resellers as well as our end users, many of which continue to use and expand their systems it to present day.

Feedback launches waterproof Terminal. Originally developed for the food industry, it has subsequently been used in many environments including – even aboard oil rigs in the North Sea!

Feedback launches the e-Log stand alone Smart card Terminal.

Specifically designed to satisfy the Time and Attendance requirement of the smaller user.

f-Log was launched. This product was designed to monitor the temperature of commercial fridges, freezers and chilled cabinets.

A small stainless steel recording device could be placed in the food storage area and programmed to take temperature readings over a set period of time. The data could then be up loaded using a portable probe which in turn could be attached to a PC for the automatic generation of reports that would satisfy any inspecting authority.

Increased efficiencies along with changes in manufacturing techniques enable Feedback Data to finally move into the Plc buildings at the Park Road site in Crowborough.

The IP Terminal arrived. It was significant in as much as that it was the first Terminal to use TCP/IP to communicate with a host via industry standard ‘Web Service’ technologies, including XML and SOAP.

New Evolution centralised Access Control product launched.

It was the first access control system of its type to be based around an IP addressable door controller and use web services for host communications.

2007 onwards saw the arrival of a new generation of Directors joining the Board. Since then the pace of change has accelerated and the move to creating one company, Feedback Group, as compared to a number of companies with separate identities has pursued and continues so to do.

Sustained investment has produced many changes, from a new manufacturing infrastructure and state-of-the-art telephony system to an ongoing programme of site refurbishment and a new corporate identity. But, more importantly, an enhanced development programme which has seen the launch of many exciting new products in our traditional areas of Education, Data Capture and Access Control, all of which can be seen on the website.

2009 New ‘Nohmad’ range of GPRS Terminals launched.

The Nohmad sends information via GPRS (the mobile phone network), allowing employees to sign in and out electronically, when entering or leaving worksites.

The Nohmad is the ideal choice where data has to be sent to the host immediately but occurs at irregular intervals.

New TS2020 range of terminals launched.

The TS2020 series is the latest addition to our range of product offerings. Drawing on our many years of experience, we have created a Terminal which is smart enough for any office, robust enough for a factory or hospital.

Uniquely, the Terminal’s ‘Personality’ is selectable from a range of pre-built Terminal Applications, stored on the devices SD card. Applications include communication protocols, functionality and any of your specialist functional requirements.