Data Becker


Data Becker GmbH & Co. KG was a German publisher of computer books and software. It was founded in Düsseldorf in 1980 by Dr. Achim Becker and Harald Becker, and opened its first store in 1981. Data Becker was mostly well known for its web publishing software Web to date.

The 1980s: Home computing

In the beginning, Data Becker catered primarily to users of Commodore 64 and C128 home computers, publishing an extensive range of books as well as programming tools and application software. The most advanced of the company's books delved deeply into the internals of the aforementioned computers and their peripherals, often revealing features that were undocumented by the manufacturer.

The 1990s: Licences abroad

In the United States, English editions of Data Becker's home computing books and software were published by Abacus Software. In the British market, initially First Publishing Ltd, did the same job, followed by Data Player Ltd t/a Data Becker UK from 1993 to 2001. The Danish and Norwegian markets were supplied with Danish language editions of the software and books by publishing house Nordic Computer Software. The French editions were published by Micro Application.
In the late 1990s, in Germany, Data Becker also marketed Chessbase's Shredder and Fritz chess programs as 3D Schach Genie or Schach Genie.

2000: International failure

In an attempt to become a worldwide publisher Data Becker UK ltd. was established in 1999. Data Becker Companies in the U.S.A., Spain and the Netherlands followed. Data Becker UK had initial success with their music-software range but it soon vanished as the publisher pressed for a more family-oriented portfolio with titles like "3D Home Designer" and credibility in professional markets was lost. Overall this strategy did not prove successful and the offices of Data Becker UK and Data Becker USA were closed down in 2003.

2014: Closure of all business operations

In October 2013, the head company in Germany announced it was going to suspend all business activities at the 31st of March 2014. The online shop was closed on February 17, 2014.