DataMirror

DataMirror Corporation was a Canadian enterprise software company founded in 1993 and headquartered in Markham, Ontario. Its products addressed the movement, protection, transformation, auditing, and availability of business data across heterogeneous computing environments. The company became particularly associated with real-time data integration and replication, including software designed to synchronize information between operational systems, databases, data warehouses, web applications, and enterprise application environments. DataMirror developed both internally and through acquisitions. Its portfolio included Transformation Server, a platform for bi-directional replication and data transformation; LiveAudit, which tracked changes to business data; iReflect, which distributed and consolidated information between Oracle databases; and Event Server, which detected events in production applications and passed business information into message queues and integration environments. Through the acquisition of PointBase, DataMirror also added a Java relational database product, while the acquisition of BDI Systems expanded its capabilities in Java-based, bi-directional transformation between XML, relational database, and text formats. The company also acquired or purchased assets connected with SQLPump, mpc-Software, Constellar Hub, and SmartSales. DataMirror served enterprise customers in sectors such as healthcare, retail, telecommunications, and financial services. In 2006, it claimed to have more than 2,100 business customers. Its products were aimed at organizations that needed continuous data availability, synchronization between legacy and newer applications, operational reporting, disaster avoidance, regulatory accountability, and integration with enterprise middleware. The company became publicly listed in 1996 and pursued an acquisition-led expansion during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Its corporate development included international distribution capability through mpc-Software GmbH in Germany, data integration technologies through BDI Systems, database technology through PointBase, and additional enterprise software assets through the purchase of SmartSales assets after that company entered bankruptcy. DataMirror also divested its interest in Idion Technology Holdings in 2004. IBM agreed in July 2007 to acquire all outstanding DataMirror common shares for C$27 per share in cash, representing approximately C$170 million in total consideration. IBM announced completion of the acquisition on September 4, 2007. DataMirror therefore ceased to operate as an independent public company and its technologies became part of IBM's software portfolio. One of the products associated with the acquisition, iCluster, remained in IBM's portfolio until IBM sold its iCluster software business to Rocket Software in January 2012. DataMirror is consequently best understood as a defunct Canadian enterprise-software company whose legacy survives through products and technologies incorporated into larger software businesses.

DataMirror was established in 1993 in Markham, Ontario, as a software company focused on enterprise data management and integration. Its central business problem was the difficulty of keeping information synchronized across different databases, applications, and computing platforms. Rather than concentrating on a single end-user application, the company developed infrastructure software for organizations that needed reliable movement and protection of operational data. The company became publicly listed in 1996. It expanded its product and technology base through a series of acquisitions and asset purchases. In 1997, DataMirror acquired SQLPump from SoftQuest Corporation. In 1998, it purchased mpc-Software GmbH, a Frankfurt-based software distributor, strengthening its presence in the European market. In 2000, DataMirror purchased assets of Constellar Corporation, the maker of Constellar Hub. These transactions gave the company a combination of technology, distribution, and enterprise-software assets. DataMirror continued this strategy in the early 2000s. In 2001, it acquired BDI Systems, Inc., whose software provided bi-directional, Java-based transformation between XML, relational database, and text formats. This complemented DataMirror's existing interests in data replication and integration. In 2003, the company completed its acquisition of PointBase, a developer of a Java relational database. PointBase added a SQL92/99 and JDBC-compliant database capability to the portfolio and broadened the company's position in Java-oriented enterprise software. During the same year, DataMirror acquired assets of SmartSales, a sales-force-automation company that had entered bankruptcy. The company's product family covered several related use cases. Transformation Server supported real-time, bi-directional replication and could be used for data-warehouse loading, synchronization between established systems and web applications, and distribution of data between applications. LiveAudit created an audit trail of data changes for accountability, fraud reduction, customer-service improvement, regulatory compliance, and data-asset management. iReflect provided real-time distribution and consolidation between Oracle databases. Event Server detected events in production applications and supplied information to message queues and enterprise integration, business-process-management, and service-oriented-architecture environments. The acquisition of PointBase extended the portfolio into Java relational database software. DataMirror also offered iCluster, designed to support high availability, disaster avoidance, and protection for IBM i business applications. DataMirror reported broad enterprise adoption. In 2006, it claimed to serve more than 2,100 business customers, including organizations in healthcare, retail, telecommunications, and financial services. The products were relevant to enterprises operating legacy systems alongside web applications, databases, middleware, and newer distributed architectures. In 2004, DataMirror divested its interest in Idion Technology Holdings of South Africa, indicating that its corporate portfolio was being adjusted as well as expanded. IBM agreed on July 16, 2007 to buy all outstanding DataMirror common shares for C$27 per share in cash. The transaction was valued at approximately C$170 million, or about US$161 million according to the cited contemporary description. IBM announced that the acquisition was completed on September 4, 2007. DataMirror consequently stopped operating as an independent public company, and its software and capabilities were absorbed into IBM's enterprise software activities. The DataMirror product legacy continued after the acquisition. IBM later sold its iCluster software business to Rocket Software, announcing completion of that transaction on January 4, 2012. Because iCluster had originally entered IBM through the DataMirror acquisition, the sale marked a later transfer of one of DataMirror's best-known product lines to another enterprise-software company. DataMirror's independent corporate history therefore spans fourteen years, from its 1993 founding through its absorption by IBM in 2007, while elements of its technology portfolio remained commercially relevant afterward.

1. 2012iCluster business sold to Rocket Software

   IBM sells its iCluster software business to Rocket Software.

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2. 2007IBM agrees to acquire DataMirror

   IBM agrees to purchase all outstanding DataMirror common shares for C$27 per share in cash.

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3. 2007IBM completes acquisition

   IBM announces completion of the DataMirror acquisition on September 4, ending DataMirror's independent corporate existence.

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4. 2004Interest in Idion Technology Holdings divested

   DataMirror divests its interest in Idion Technology Holdings of South Africa.

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5. 2003PointBase acquisition completed

   DataMirror completes the acquisition of PointBase, adding Java relational database technology to its portfolio.

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6. 2003SmartSales assets acquired

   DataMirror acquires assets of SmartSales, a sales-force-automation software provider that had entered bankruptcy.

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7. 2001BDI Systems acquired

   DataMirror acquires BDI Systems and its Java-based, bi-directional data-transformation technology.

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8. 2000Constellar Hub assets acquired

   DataMirror purchases assets of Constellar Corporation, maker of Constellar Hub.

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9. 1998Acquisition of mpc-Software GmbH

   DataMirror acquires the Frankfurt-based software distributor mpc-Software GmbH.

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10. 1997Acquisition of SQLPump

    DataMirror acquires SQLPump from SoftQuest Corporation.

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11. 1996Initial public offering

    DataMirror completes its initial public offering and becomes a publicly listed software company.

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12. 1993DataMirror is founded

    DataMirror Corporation is established in Markham, Ontario, as an enterprise software company focused on data integration and related technologies.

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Enterprise software for real-time data movement, synchronization, transformation, protection, auditing, database interoperability, and application availability.

• Transformation ServerReal-time data integration and replication

  Transformation Server provided real-time, bi-directional replication and transformation of enterprise data. It could support data-warehouse loading, synchronization between existing systems and web applications, and distribution of information between applications used for operational or analytical decision-making.

• iClusterHigh availability and disaster avoidance

  iCluster was designed to help maintain the availability of business applications and protect IBM i systems. Its capabilities addressed continuity and disaster-avoidance requirements. IBM later sold the iCluster software business to Rocket Software in 2012.

• LiveAuditData auditing and compliance

  LiveAudit created an audit trail of changes made to business data. The product was positioned for accountability, fraud reduction, customer-service improvement, regulatory compliance, and the management and protection of enterprise data assets.

• iReflectDatabase replication

  iReflect distributed and consolidated information in real time between Oracle databases. It was intended to provide users and applications with a consistent and current view of data across database environments.

• Event ServerEnterprise application integration

  Event Server detected events as they occurred in production applications and generated business information for message queues and enterprise integration environments. Its use cases included business-process management and service-oriented architectures.

• PointBaseJava relational database

  PointBase was a Java relational database acquired by DataMirror in 2003. It supported SQL92/99 and JDBC standards and gave DataMirror a database product alongside its integration, replication, and transformation software.

• 2012Sale of iCluster business to Rocket SoftwareM&A

  IBM owned iCluster after acquiring DataMirror in 2007.

  What changed. IBM sold its iCluster software business to Rocket Software.

  Aftermath. The iCluster product line moved from IBM to Rocket Software, extending the post-acquisition commercial life of a DataMirror-origin product.

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• 2007Sale of DataMirror to IBMM&A

  DataMirror had built a portfolio of enterprise integration, replication, database, auditing, and availability products and reported more than 2,100 business customers in 2006.

  What changed. IBM agreed to acquire all outstanding DataMirror common shares for C$27 per share in cash and completed the transaction on September 4, 2007.

  Aftermath. DataMirror ceased to operate as an independent public company, while its technologies and products entered IBM's software portfolio.

  Total acquisition consideration. Approximately C$170 million, described as approximately US$161 million (2007 acquisition announcement)

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• 2012IBM sells iCluster software business to Rocket Software

  IBM announced the sale of its iCluster software business to Rocket Software. IBM had obtained iCluster through its 2007 acquisition of DataMirror.

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• 2007IBM agrees to acquire DataMirror

  IBM announced an agreement to purchase all outstanding DataMirror common shares for C$27 per share in cash, with total consideration of approximately C$170 million.

  M&A
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• 2007IBM completes acquisition of DataMirror

  IBM announced on September 4, 2007 that it had completed its acquisition of DataMirror, ending the company's existence as an independent public software company.

  M&A
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1. DataMirror