About Xara Group
Xara was founded in 1981 and has been successfully developing
software on a variety of platforms for the entire history
of the PC industry. Xara released their first Windows
product in 1994 and has been actively involved in the
Internet since 1995.
Xara's first Windows product was launched in 1994,
a mainstream vector illustration package called Xara
X (subsequently distributed by Corel under the name
CorelXARA).
Xara has since launched a range of independent graphics
products aimed specifically at Web graphic designers,
including Xara Webster, Xara3D, Xara Webstyle and most
recently Menu Maker and the fun screensaver maker, Screenmaker
3D. With the end of the Corel agreement in 2000, Xara
once more has the opportunity to distribute this world
class drawing package alongside its other products.
Xara took an early interest in the Internet and although
its ISP interests were sold in 1997, Xara remains completely
committed to the Internet, both in terms of software
distribution and development direction.
The Xara Online division was formed upon the purchase
of the ZY Modules division from Zyris PLC in 2001. Since
then the founders of Xara Online have shared a vision
of a world where non-technical users can create and
build custom web-based applications without any programming.
Using open Web Services standards and exploiting the
many advantages that Web Services bring, Xara Online
has developed an easy-to-use, modular, building block
solution for webmasters and marketers to enrich their
websites.
These modular Web Services, known as Xara Modules are
based upon the new standards such as XML and SOAP and
are compatible with .NET. The Xara Modules are believed
to be the world's first set of commercially available
Web Services aimed at the non-programmer market such
as Webmasters and Marketing departments.
Xara Online provide two ranges of Xara modules. The
graphics Modules utilize Xara Graphics technology to
enable businesses to improve the look and feel of their
website. The new 'connected Data Modules' built on XML
Web Services are building blocks for database enabling
websites, for creating messaging and CRM applications
and for small businesses to get the 'big business' look,
feel and functionality from their website.
The next strategic phase for the company is to provide
a range of ready made 'Out of the Box' online applications,
built using Xara Modules, and to provide both these
and the clientside products through a new and rapidly
expanding reseller and OEM distribution channel.
Company worldwide HQ is based at Gaddesden Place, a
Grade 2 listed mansion standing in eight acres of parkland
in the Hertfordshire countryside, just outside of London,
UK. Xara Group is a UK limited company (a privately
held corporation), under the same ownership since 1981.
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Xara
Timeline
|
1981 |
Began
operations |
1980's |
Became
largest independent software developer in the UK
|
1991 |
Began
production of Windows-based software |
1994 |
Launched
Xara Studio |
1994 |
Signed
marketing deal with Corel: Xara Studio relaunched
as CorelXARA |
1995 |
Launched
the xara.com web site |
1995 |
Founded
new company within the Xara Group, Xara Networks,
one of the first ISPs in the UK. |
1996 |
Launched
Xara Webster |
1997 |
Began
online sales and launched Xara3D |
1997 |
Launched
Buyfonts.com |
1998 |
Sold
Xara Networks to GX Networks |
1998 |
Launched
Webstyle |
2000 |
End
of Corel agreement. CorelXARA has new beginning
as Xara X |
2000 |
Xara
Online formed |
2001 |
World's
first .Net graphic web service created in August
|
2001 |
Launched
the 3D Heading Maker--a SOAP based Web Service |
2002 |
Launched
Xara Online Data Manager connectable modules |
2002 |
Launched
Xara3D 5 in August |
2002 |
Launched
Xara Menu Maker in October |
2003 |
Launched
Online applications Text Me, Site Updater, File
Protect |
2003 |
Launched
Xara ScreenMaker 3D in July. |
2003 |
Launched
Webstyle 4 in October |
|