Author: JT Smith
ARMONK, N.Y. & WESTBORO, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–April 24, 2001–
IBM (NYSE:IBM – news) and
Informix® Corporation (Nasdaq: IFMX – news) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement for IBM
to acquire the assets of Informix Software–Informix’s database business–in a cash transaction valued at $1 billion.
The acquisition strengthens IBM in the fast-growing distributed database business, a key strategic priority for IBM. IBM’s
distributed database revenues grew 36% year-to-year in the first quarter of 2001.
“Customers are aggressively investing in data management software because data collection, storage and use are at the core of a successful e-business,” said Sam Palmisano, president and chief operating officer of IBM. “This acquisition of Informix allows IBM to bring the benefits of leadership database technologies to more customers faster.”
Informix Software is a leading provider of database management systems for data warehousing, business intelligence and
transaction processing. With an installed base of more than 100,000 customers worldwide, Informix delivers high-performance
database systems to customers in retail, financial services, government, healthcare, manufacturing, media and publishing,
telecommunications and other businesses. Key Informix customers include Verizon, Deutsche Telekom, Sears and Sabre.
Once the acquisition is completed, IBM will:
— Integrate Informix database business operations and personnel into the existing IBM Software data management division led by General Manager Janet Perna.
— Market and sell Informix’s database products worldwide through an integrated IBM and Informix sales force.
— Maintain existing relationships with Informix customers and business partners, including support for and updating of current
Informix products.
“The acquisition by IBM is good news for Informix Software’s database customers, partners, employees and stockholders,”
said Peter Gyenes, chairman and chief executive officer, Informix Corp. “IBM offers the global resources, investment
protection, support and technology leadership our customers and partners need for the future, as well as exciting opportunities
for our employees. This acquisition also extends the reach and relevance of key Informix technologies as they are evolved and
integrated into future versions of IBM data management offerings.”
Informix customers will also benefit from IBM’s open platform strategy and broad array of alliances with leading application
developers such as SAP, Siebel Systems, PeopleSoft, Retek and many others worldwide. IBM intends to integrate selected
Informix technology into future versions of DB2(a) Universal Database, which will remain IBM’s flagship database product.
“Informix customers can be confident that their investments in existing Informix products are secure,” said Steve Mills, senior
vice president and group executive, IBM Software. “These customers will now have a long-term growth path that enables
them to achieve the full potential of e-business.”
Following the sale of the database business to IBM, Informix Corporation will be totally focused on its other independent
operating business – Ascentiala Software. With annualized revenue in excess of $130 million, Ascential is a leading provider of information asset management solutions to the Global 2000. The Company intends to apply the proceeds from the transaction to fund the growth of Ascential as well as to return a substantial portion of the proceeds to stockholders through a
stock-reduction program, details of which are expected to be announced at or shortly after closing. Upon the closing of the
transaction, Informix Corporation will be renamed Ascential Software.
In a separate release today, IBM and Ascential Software announced a global strategic alliance to jointly develop and market information asset management solutions based on Ascential’s DataStage®, DataStage 390 and Media360(TM) products as well as IBM’s DB2 and related product platforms.
The acquisition is subject to Informix shareholder and regulatory approvals, and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2001.
About IBM
IBM is the world’s largest information technology company, with 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate. For
more information about IBM, visit http://www.ibm.com
About Informix Corporation
Informix Corp. is the parent company of Informix Software, the database company, a leading provider of database management systems for data warehousing, transaction processing and e-business applications, and Ascential Software, the leading provider of Information Asset Management solutions to the Global 2000. For more information, visit the Informix web site http://www.informix.com
Informix Software, headquartered in Menlo Park, California, has 2,500 employees worldwide in offices in North America,
Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia-Pacific, and is a leader in data management technology. Founded in 1980, Informix
Software has consistently strived to optimize performance, scalability, and total cost of ownership in its data management
offerings.
(a) Denotes a trademark of the IBM Corporation
(c)2001 Informix Corporation. All rights reserved. The following are trademarks of Informix Corporation or its affiliates, one or
more of which may be registered in the U.S. or other jurisdictions: Informix, Ascential, DataStage and Media360.
Safe Harbor Statement
This public announcement contains forward-looking statements that are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties. Any
statements contained in this public announcement, including without limitation statements to the effect that the Companies or
their managements “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “may,” “will,” “projects,” “continues,” “intends” or
“estimates,” or statements concerning “potential” or “opportunity” or other variations thereof or comparable terminology or
the negative thereof that are not statements of historical fact, should be considered forward-looking statements as a result of
certain risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results and events materially to differ for
historical or anticipated results and events. Investors and potential investors should review carefully the description of risks and
uncertainties which, together with other detailed information about the Companies, is contained in the periodic reports that the
Companies file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Companies’ Forms 10-K for
fiscal year 2000.
Contact:
IBM
Joe Stunkard
914-766-1779
stunkard@us.ibm.com
Pager: 800-946-4646 Pin:182-6486
OR
Informix Software
Sharon Thompson
503-721-2385
sharon.thompson@informix.com
OR
Miller Consulting for Ascential Software
Malinda Banash
617-262-1800 x232
malinda@millergrp.com
OR
Morgen Walke for Informix Investor Relations
Stephanie Prince/Gordon McCoun
212-850-5600
sprince@morgenwalke.com
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