Corel Corp. of Ottawa, whose main specialty is graphics software, was originally named Cowpland Research Labs after its founder, Michael Cowpland.
This week Corel announced it would cut its global work force by 20 per cent.
In January, 1996, Corel acquired the WordPerfect product line from Novell Corp.
The following year, Corel took on Microsoft Corp. by releasing WordPerfect Suite 8, which included WordPerfect and the Quattro Pro spreadsheet.
It also announced an expansion of its Java strategy, including Corel Central and Remagen, an application that would let users load Corel software on to any thin client.
But later that year, analysts blamed a shift in sales strategy from direct corporate sales to retail for a soft market for WordPerfect and a $31 million quarterly loss.
It returned to profitability in early 1999, and announced the sale of its NetWinder division.
In August, 2000, Cowpland left the company.
In 2002, Corel launched a professional services group and a year later was acquired by Vector Capital.