MALEKKO Software Systems was founded in 1984 by Richard Maddox, an electronics engineer, musician, and long-time control systems and computer software developer.  Richard wrote his first computer programs [in Fortran on an early-model IBM computer] as a Senior in High School in the early 60's while taking courses at a local college to qualify for enrollment at Georgia Tech in Atlanta.

Despite a long-time fascination with electronics [built his first radios at age 7], this early experience created a strong interest in computer programming.  This was later evidenced by his work with real-time control systems and simulation of multi-million dollar material handling systems using computers to test the control logic of other computer-based control systems.  He also designed most of the interface electronics for his employer's material handling systems.  These capabilities, and his innovation of using pre-assembled modular wireway systems to dramatically reduce system startup periods, saved his employer several tens of thousands of dollars.  Earlier, Richard took time off to serve his country [3 years in U.S. Army] as a soldier during the Vietnam War era (as a combat MP, 1967-1968).

The name MALEKKO comes from MA (Maddox) LEK (Electronics) KO (Company).  MALEKKO began by building custom electronic controls and single-board computers.  As an early user of AutoCAD (version 1.4 in 1984) with experience as a top-rated AutoCAD Trainer on behalf of Texas Instruments, Richard also let MALEKKO provide CAD drafting services to a wide range of clients.  Most of MALEKKO's early work, however, centered around custom software and hardware development.  In 1987, MALEKKO began to develop software applications that worked with the AutoCAD® CAD software product from Autodesk®.  In the years that followed, a wide range of applications from Space Planning to Bill of Materials programs were developed and used by clients such as the Federal Aviation Administration, W.W. Grainger Company, Prudential Insurance, The Logan Company, Intel Corporation, Quincy Compressor, McDonald's, the U.S. Air Force, and the U.S. Army.

In October of 1995, MALEKKO was introduced to a major force in the world economy: the Exhibition Industry.  MALEKKO was approached by GES Exposition Services [after being recommended by Autodesk] to develop a custom AutoCAD application that would help designers create, manage, and track exhibit component CAD symbols.  The application also had to create detailed materials reports that would include costs, weights, and labor time information.  These reports provided the basis for project material costs and labor time estimates.  Today, GES uses Xzibitware as a complete replacement for the original application.

In 2000, when much better software development tools became available, MALEKKO, entirely on its own, spent the next three (3) years updating and enhancing this application.  Since the software was to be used within the exhibit industry, the name given to the resulting product was "Xzibitware".  Designed to run inside AutoCAD® as an add-on application, Xzibitware continues to evolve as new ideas and suggestions from exhibit designers, detailers, and department managers at various companies are shared with MALEKKO's product developers.  From time-to-time, MALEKKO still works closely with GES to customize and optimize the performance of some feature within the Xzibitware program.  It also maintains a close working relationship with other Xzibitware users and has provided custom features for them as well.

SUPPORT...SUPPORT...SUPPORT!
One of the questions potential client companies or users of our Xzibitware product often ask when they first approach us is: "Can we expect good support if we do business?"   The answer is an unqualified "YES, of course!"  Ask anyone who has bought a product or service from MALEKKO (we can give you a list of some of them).  They'll tell you that our support has always been unbelievably great.  It's something that's been a cornerstone of our business since Day One.   In short, we don't disappear after we've served you.  Just ask for help: we're there whenever you need us.