Informix Software has pledged to support the UniVerse and UniData database products developed by Ardent Software, which Informix recently acquired, said Ralph Breslauer, vice president/marketing for Informix's Transact Business Group. The Transact Group includes all database tools for Ardent and Informix.
Some distribution software providers use these databases to build their distribution and warehouse management systems.
"Informix will continue to support Ardent's database products for the foreseeable future," Breslauer said. He acknowledged that the situation could change in five or more years, but added that Informix was committed to developing and maintaining these products and allowing them a full technology lifecycle.
The merger of the two software companies closed on March 1. Ardent stockholders will receive 3.5 shares of Informix common stock for each share of Ardent common stock. The acquisition is valued at about $1.1 billion.
"By combining with Ardent, we are now the first and only software provider that offers all the components of an end-to-end integrated e-commerce and business intelligence solution," said Jean-Yves Dexmier, president and chief executive officer of Informix.
Menlo Park, Calif.-based Informix will retain Ardent's Westboro, Mass., headquarters to establish an East Coast production development, marketing, sales, service and support operation.
"For our customers, this will be a totally seamless transition," Breslauer explained. "In fact, we will now be able to offer our customers a route to the Web without having to buy new applications."
