Computer Associates International Inc said yesterday that it would use its acquisition of Innovative DP Designs Inc to win over existing BMC Software customers which it says are paying inflated prices for its IBM DB2 and IMS management software.
The terms of Monday’s Innovate acquisition were not disclosed but Scott Jessee, CAI’s VP DB2, IMS product group carrier said that the acquisition would give CAI valuable OS/390 utilities for IBM’s IMS database. The company already has management software for IBM’s DB2 database product, which it acquired through the Platinum acquisition. But having Innovate on board will enable it to offer a one-stop-shop for mixed DB2/IMS environments, Jessee said. He said that the market for DB2/IMS management products was largely owned by BMC, but said that the company charged a premium for its software. A full system can cost anything upwards of $100m, he said, whereas our offering will cost at least 25% less.
Jessee said that CAI had set up what he called a full conversion team to attempt to win over BMC and other competitors’ customers. Innovate’s IMS tools will first be integrated with CAI’s DB2 management software within the next few months, Jessee said, adding that the ultimate aim was to have both sets accessible and managed through its Unicentre TNG systems management suite by mid-2000.
Platinum already had around 2,000 customers of its DB2 tools and Innovate has about 200 companies using its IMS tools. Jessee said the conversion team would actively approach BMC customers already using its DB2 tools and try and persuade them to switch to CAI’s camp by pushing the benefits of its IMS/DB2 integration plans along with the cheaper prices.
Under the deal, all Innovate’s 35 to 40 employees will be transferred to CAI, where they will continue to operate as a separate entity, specializing in IMS management tools, Jessee said.
