When was PC Data founded and by whom?
Ann Stephens founded PC Data in 1991 in Reston, Virginia. The company began with a mission to track computer software sales across the United States.
Common questions about PC Data
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What percentage of the United States retail software sales market did PC Data cover by September 1998?
PC Data covered 80% of the United States retail software sales market by September 1998. This market penetration established the firm as the industry standard for software sales data.
When did The NPD Group purchase PC Data and what happened to the firm?
The NPD Group purchased PC Data's point-of-sale research branch in March 2001. The acquisition merged the branch with Intelect Market Tracking and marked the end of PC Data as an independent entity.
Which companies acquired PC Data's Internet research assets after the 2001 legal settlement?
NetValue and ComScore purchased PC Data's Internet research branch following the legal settlement with Jupiter Media Matrix. These firms continued to use the methodologies developed by Ann Stephens and her team.
What legal dispute caused PC Data to cease Internet traffic research in 2001?
A patent infringement dispute with Jupiter Media Matrix forced PC Data to cease Internet traffic research in March 2001. The legal settlement stripped the company of its most valuable asset and led to its closure.