History

2020

Welcome to the New MultiTech!

SmartWave Technologies, a Northlane Capital Partners (“NCP”) platform investment, has acquired Multi-Tech Systems, Inc., a leading global supplier of Industrial IoT communication devices and services. SmartWave Technologies, a market-leading provider of innovative industrial IoT end devices and MultiTech will operate as one under the MultiTech brand.

The combined entity will drive deployment of proven Industrial IoT first-to-market innovations in low power, wireless access and broadband, low-latency communication technologies, machine protocols, integrated sensors and mobile applications to further scale the deployment of smart assets, durables and industrial consumables. The new MultiTech entity will offer expanded expertise in wireless standards, electromagnetic sensor technologies, component and refill authentication, as well as extended capabilities in industrial design and manufacturing and mobile applications.

2010s

A new chapter

2010: The organization celebrates 40 years, introduces the Cellular Development Platform, an all-in-one, open source gateway.

2011: MultiTech and Physio-Control receive 2011 Connected World Value Chain Award for Mobile Healthcare Application 

2014:  Introduced industry leading LoRa® technology-based LPWA product portfolio and DeviceHQ® cloud-based device management and application store.

2015: Stefan Lindvall named CEO. Launched 4G-LTE  SocketModem® Cell and  MultiConnect^® rCell 100 Series 4G-LTE cellular routers as well as MultiConnect® Dragonfly™ Embedded Cellular System-on-Module (SoM); first Arm® Mbed™ cellular SoM listed on mbed.org.   

2016: MultiConnect® mDot™ Achieves World's First LoRaWAN Certification for North America; MultiTech announces first nationwide IoT program for universities.

2017: MultiTech Achieves First LTE Cat M1 Device Approval for AT&T Network; announces Industry’s Smallest LTE Cat M1 System on Module - MultiConnect® Dragonfly™ Nano.

2019: Introduced first Private LTE/CBRS access devices for industrial IoT and first 2.4GHz LoRa gateway.

2000s

Machine to machine

2002: MultiTech receives Most Innovative Company Award from Inc. Magazine, purchases socket modem business from Conexant.

2003: First cellular modems hit the market. Avaya names MultiTech Partner of the Year.

2004: FaxFinder® debuts and sells more than 800,000 units in first year. MultiTech also introduces the world's smallest embedded modem: RJ.

2005: MultiTech incorporates GPS into its products and introduces CallFinder products.

2006: MultiTech continues product innovation while renewing its committment to the environment by becoming RoHS compliant -- minimizing dangerous substances like lead and mercury in its products.

2008: Intelligence increases across the MultiTech product line to enable a new class of machine-to-machine applications.

2009: To assist customers in transitioning from aging PSTN infrastructure, MultiTech introduces the MultiConnect® Analog-to-Wireless Converter as well as the MultiModem® rCell intelligent cellular router. Connected Development, a MultiTech company, is established in North Carolina to assist adopters with embedded systems design. The organization is certified by the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism, a voluntary government-business initiative designed to strengthen and improve global supply chain and U.S. border security.

1990s

Milestones and rapid innovation

1990: The state of Minnesota recognizes MultiTech with a commendation for toxic waste elimination.

1991: MultiTech is awarded its first patent. Modems achieve 14.4 Kbps speeds, add fax capabilities. MultiTech expands with a new office in the U.K.

1992: MultiTech produces one millionth modem, introduces several new lines and opens an office in France. Receives International Trade Award from the Governor of Minnesota.

1994: Modem speeds reach 28.8 Kbps. MultiTech adds voice to Multiplexers and introduces Remote Access Server.

1995: Celebrating 25 years, MultiTech adds 60,000 square feet to headquarters building, purchases land in anticipation of future expansion and attains ISO9002 certification. 

1997: MultiTech introduces VoIP, installs additional Fuji line as well as optimum reseller program.

1998: MultiTech introduces Internet security via ProxyServer. Modem speeds finally reach 56K.

1999: First embedded products arrive.

1980s

The age of expansion

1983: MultiTech introduces its first "intelligent" modem, the MT212AH.

1985: MultiTech introduces the 2400bps MultiModem^®, adds new technical support area and brings Amex on as first international distributor.

1986: MultiTech expands to 21,000 square-foot headquarters facility in New Brighton and opens offices in India. Introduces MultiMux^TM statistical multiplexers.

1987: Continued growth drives additional 20,000 square-foot expansion. Company introduces 9600 bps modem and 16-channel MultiMux.

1989: MultiTech outgrows facilities again, breaks ground on new 74,000 square-foot facility in Mounds View. Company's committment to the community and the environment takes flight with ongoing green manufacturing initiatives as well as a burgeoning relationship with Rise, Inc.-- a local charity committed to job placement for the developmentally challenged.

 

1970s

Foundation and business building

1970: Dr. Sharma founds and incorporates Multi-Tech Systems, renting new office space in the basement of the Schneider's Drug building in Minneapolis. He sells the world's first acoustic coupler to Professor Schmitt, inventor of the Schmitt trigger, for $300.

1971: In addition to growing sales for acoustic couplers, MultiTech wins a bid to provide receiver cards used to measure power flow across the boundry lines of power companies, cementing the company's entry into the energy sector.

1973: MultiTech begins developing modems for Tele-Terminals, one of the company's earliest customers.

1974: MultiTech expands into the basement of the Schneider Drug building to expand manufacturing capacity.

1976: MultiTech introduces the first direct connect modem.

1978: MultiTech outgrows facilities and moves to New Brighton. 

1979: MultiTech introduces the MT500 microcomputer -- an all-in-one design incorporating hard drive, floppy drive, CRT and keyboard. Reaches $1 million in sales.

1960s

The formative years

1968: In a landmark regulatory decision regarding Carterfone, the FCC ruled that non AT&T equipment could access that company's telephone lines. Founder Raghu Sharma withdraws $300 from his savings account to purchase a box of amplifier chips and headed for the student workshop. There he makes a mold for the rubber cups needed to cradle the handset of a telephone on an acoustic coupler. 

1969: MultiTech rents first office/lab space in the University Bank building in Minneapolis.