

The natural language system was named "The Intelligent Assistant". The new Symantec combined the file management and word processing functionality that C&E had planned, and added an advanced Natural Language query system (designed by Gary Hendrix and engineered by Dan Gordon) that set new standards for ease of database query and report generation. Eubanks became its chairman, Vern Raburn, the former president of the original Symantec, remained as president of the combined company. The merged company retained the name Symantec. Barry Greenstein, now a professional poker player, was the principal developer of the word processor component within Q&A. C&E Software developed a combined file management and word processing program called Q&A. As a result, later in 1984, Symantec was acquired by another, smaller software startup company, C&E Software, founded by Denis Coleman and Gordon Eubanks and headed by Eubanks. This left Symantec without a product, but with expertise in natural language database query systems and technology. In 1984, it became clear that the advanced natural language and database system that Symantec had developed could not be ported from DEC minicomputers to the PC. Hendrix hired several Stanford University natural language processing researchers as the company's first employees. History 1982 to 1989įounded in 1982 by Gary Hendrix with a National Science Foundation grant, Symantec was originally focused on artificial intelligence-related projects, including a database program. After completing its merger with Avast in September 2022, the company adopted the name Gen Digital Inc. announced they would be acquiring the Enterprise Security software division of Symantec for $10.7 billion, and the company became known as NortonLifeLock. On January 29, 2016, Symantec sold its information-management subsidiary, named Veritas Technologies, and which Symantec had acquired in 2004, to The Carlyle Group. One company would focus on security, the other on information management. On October 9, 2014, Symantec declared it would split into two independent publicly traded companies by the end of 2015. Its portfolio includes Norton, Avast, LifeLock, Avira, AVG, ReputationDefender, and CCleaner. The company also has development centers in Pune, Chennai and Bangalore. Gen is a Fortune 500 company and a member of the S&P 500 stock-market index.

The company provides cybersecurity software and services. (formerly Symantec Corporation and NortonLifeLock) is a multinational software company co-headquartered in Tempe, Arizona and Prague, Czech Republic.
