About Us

Compu-Share was founded in March, 1977 to create accounting software for the Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) minicomputers. In November 2006, a new DBA for its software division was established, "nQativ". After 30 years of developing powerful software solutions, the timing was right to have a new name for a new Microsoft Windows SQL software product. Activity is the result of a 13-year on-going software project combining 30 years of customer wish list items with functionality and a cohesive architecture that nQativ always wanted in a software product. The result is a cutting-edge state of the art accounting and HR/PR system that is most unique in the marketplace.

In 1977, nQativ's founders determined the best approach to the software business at the time was through a timeshare service bureau (early implementation of SaaS). This approach not only afforded experience with a rich variety of customers, but also challenged us to make software which works in many different businesses and was highly resilient to interruptions of the primitive communications of the era (dialup modems and leased serial lines). Timeshare revenues were then used to support an extensive software development program on the VAX/VMS platform.

Software and support services were continually refined as the nQativ client base expanded. This experience instilled a unique perspective which remains paramount: "Software is not a product; software is a service." This perspective has persisted as nQativ has expanded its services:

  • In the 1970’s, nQativ offered accounting software on a timesharing service obtaining clients throughout the region of Texas and New Mexico.
  • In the 1980’s, nQativ moved its software to Digital’s popular VAX/VMS platform. nQativ was the first accounting software company to offer date-driven applications. During this time nQativ began selling its software for in-house installations instead of strictly timesharing. nQativ had clients in Canada, American Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and other foreign countries. In 1986 the Department of Agriculture for the State of California commissioned Price Waterhouse to search for the best accounting/Payroll/HR software for the fairs throughout the State of California. They selected nQativ. Also, Digital Equipment Corporation chose nQativ to be the exclusive accounting software vendor for the VMS platform and a new line of Personal Computers, the PRO350.
  • In the 1990’s, nQativ engineers started development on an exciting new data-centric Windows architecture built on SQL called Activity, and developed General Ledger and Accounts Payable modules around this new technology.
  • In the 2000’s, nQativ tapped into its installed base of Fairs, Performing Art Centers, and Arenas to continue development of the Activity technology with solutions targeted for "Venues". New packages such as Payroll, Human Resources, Purchasing, and Accounts Receivable were introduced with the concept of creating the best accounting software in the market.
  • More recently, nQativ started development on a new "Fixed Assets" and an industry specific "Venue Contracts" module specifically designed to help Fairs and other venues with sales, contract settlements, and automatic allocations of all event revenue and expenses.
nQativ’s goal today is to maintain the same high level of service and customer satisfaction that has been our trademark for the past 33 years. That's why we have loyal customers (including 75% of all the fairs in the State of California) that have stayed with us all these years through three different platform changes.