Technology >> CEO Interviews >> October 1, 1998

Ken Kaplan – Microware Systems Corporation (mwar)

KEN KAPLAN has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Microware Systems Corporation since he co-founded the software company in 1977. Microware develops real-time operating system software and development tools for advanced consumer, communications, and industrial products. Since that time, Mr. Kaplan has led the evolution of Microware from a three-person company to a public company employing more than 175 people with operations around the world. Mr. Kaplan, a native of Chicago, conceived the idea of Microware while working on a research project at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. After attending Drake, he was instrumental in helping major corporations develop early embedded applications of microprocessors. Mr. Kaplan developed the first commercial standardized software on low-cost, read-only-memory (ROM) chips and has positioned Microware as the leading developer and of system software. Today, Microware's system software can be found in everything from medical instrumental and factory automation systems to consumer electronics products such as cellular telephones, pagers, Internet-ready televisions and digital television products. Mr. Kaplan is the recipient of the 1996 Entrepreneur of the Year from Ernst & Young and NASDAQ. He also serves on the Board of Trustees from Drake University and Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa. Profile
TWST: Could you give us a background summary enough of an historical

sketch to place us into context for what you see as your company and

as your business today?

Mr. Kaplan: The background of