Integrating with DataMirror’s software suite
IBM today announced that it has entered into an agreement
to acquire real-time data-integration software vendor DataMirror.
Under the publicly disclosed terms of the deal, IBM will pay approximately
US$161 million to acquire all outstanding DataMirror common shares
at a price of approximately US$25.78 per common share payable in cash. DataMirror is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. The deal is expected to
close after a special meeting of shareholders scheduled for Aug.
24 and is subject to regulatory approvals.
Pending the successful completion of the deal, the DataMirror business is
expected to be merged with IBM’s Information Management Software unit, which
is run by General Manager Ambuj Goyal.
Markham, Ontario-based DataMirror claims to have more than 2,200 customers
and currently has approximately 220 employees.
“The combination of DataMirror technology and IBM information management
software will help customers bring real-time data analysis closer to actual
business processes, allowing them to be more competitive and to generate
more value from their information,” Ambuj Goyal, general manager of IBM
Information Management, said in a statement.
The DataMirror software suite, which enables real-time data integration
across platforms, will be used in support of IBM Information Server. Originally announced in October, IBM Information Server profiles data, cleanses data to ensure quality, and transforms that data to meet a particular service request.
in Information Server are other assets that IBM has acquired in the
data-integration space from Ascential, Venetica, Unicorn and CrossAccess.
IBM Information Server is the core of IBM’s billion-dollar Information on Demand initiative. Overall IBM has stated that it
expects the Information on Demand market to be worth $69 billion by 2009.