Home :: Services :: About Comlanta

History - Where did Comlanta Come From?

We're the old Sun Data
The pioneer of Disaster Recovery Sun Data re-established the Disaster Recovery business under the name Comlanta. So when you hear Comlanta, remember that you're dealing with a pioneer - Sun Data.

Where did Comlanta come from?
Solarcom (formerly known as Sun Data) was founded in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota in November 1976. The business was based on technology experience which included engineering, leasing and finance, and wholesale brokerage. In the early years, Sun Data became known as a leader in the IBM^® secondary market - offering expertise in engineering, refurbishing and installing IBM equipment. There were several key changes during this period. First, Sun Data moved to the greater Atlanta area. Second, the company focus shifted from mainframes to the upgrade and configuration of pre-owned mid-range computers. Sun Data personnel become recognized as experts in IBM System 3, and the company expanded its efforts to market, sell and lease mid-range equipment.

Taken back in 1985, the Sun Data Disaster Recovery truck could get clients up and running again in 24 hours.

During the early 1980’s, Sun Data engineers acquired expertise in IBM System 3^®, 34^® and 36^®. Sun Data also became one of only two companies in the U.S. other than IBM, that could reconfigure and upgrade System 38^®s.

In 1985, Sun Data Disaster Recovery was formed in response to the demand among mid-range system users for a flexible, yet affordable form of back-up assistance. The program was put to the test during Hurricanes Hugo and Andrew and the San Francisco earthquake.

In 1986, Sun Data Disaster Recovery introduced the first Mobile Data Center. As with all of our services, Sun Data’s objective was to continuously strive to improve the level of service provided to our customers. With the technology available in the mid-80s, Sun Data was able to deliver superior service by transporting equipment to a disaster site to enable a customer to re-establish their network. Although it took several days to dispatch, set-up, and become operational, Sun Data offered the best alternative in its day.

Comlanta's Headquarters on the Solarcom IT Campus in the Greater Atlanta Area.

In 1988, IBM introduced the AS/400^®, and sales of this highly successful mid-range system grew rapidly. The AS/400 led to another shift within Sun Data. Internally, an entire support organization was built around the AS/400 including training, software support, distribution, conversion, and communication. Engineers focused on the idea of a “Value Add,” - the unique set of services that Sun Data could bring to this system. Repeating a tactic that had been successfully performed several years before with the System 38, Sun Data took a crash course in the AS/400. They learned to rework AS/400 features by “being locked in a room with the system for a week” and tearing it down to the bare bones. Sun Data’s “value-adds” included knowledge of hardware, ability to save clients money and plug in features (tape products, printers, dumb terminals). As a result of this expertise and these value-adds, Sun Data became one of the largest re-sellers of IBM^® and other mid-range products in the USA.

In 1993 Sun Data’s Disaster Recovery business was sold.

We're Back!

In September of 2000, Solarcom re-established its presence in the Disaster Recovery industry. So when you see the name Comlanta, remember that we’re the same company that you’ve come to know and trust, but better! Comlanta now offers both Business Recovery and Hosting Services provided by a full staff of IT professionals. We’ve served several thousand customers since pioneering Mid-Range Business Recovery Services. We’re ready to serve you.

Take a look at our service offerings:

How long can your business afford to be down?	Grow your infrastructure, not your IT department	Increase network performance and availability and reduce costs