Sybase

Sybase was an American enterprise software and services company established in 1984 by former Britton-Lee employees Robert Epstein, Mark Hoffman, Jane Doughty, and Tom Haggin. Initially operating as Systemware, the company was created to develop relational database technology that could organize information and make it available to computers connected through a network. Its early work eventually produced a UNIX-oriented database server that became closely associated with the development of Microsoft SQL Server. The company began in Epstein's home in Berkeley, California, and later occupied a small commercial office on Dwight Way. In 1986, Systemware entered discussions with Microsoft over licensing its Systemware Data Server. Those discussions contributed to the Ashton-Tate/Microsoft SQL Server 1.0 product, which shipped in 1989. Systemware changed its name to Sybase in May 1991, adopting the identity under which it became a major database software vendor. Sybase's principal database product was its SQL Server technology, later known as Adaptive Server Enterprise, or ASE. The platform competed in the enterprise relational database market and was used for transaction processing and other business-critical workloads. Sybase also developed Sybase IQ, a column-oriented analytical database designed for data warehousing and business intelligence. Over time, the company expanded beyond core database software into mobility, mobile commerce, analytics, and enterprise application infrastructure. The company experienced a significant accounting controversy in the late 1990s. In January 1998, Sybase disclosed inconsistencies in profits reported by its Japanese subsidiary and restated results for the last three quarters of 1997. The company attributed the issue to side letters used by five executives to artificially increase reported profits. The executives were dismissed after a related class-action lawsuit. Later that year, John S. Chen became chairman, president, and chief executive officer, beginning a leadership period that lasted approximately fifteen years. Sybase passed the one-billion-dollar revenue threshold in 2007 and increasingly positioned itself as an enterprise information-management and mobility provider. In 2009, it partnered with SAP to make SAP Business Suite capabilities available on devices including the iPhone, Windows Mobile devices, and BlackBerry products. It also began packaging MicroStrategy business-intelligence software with Sybase IQ and partnered with Verizon on managed mobility services using Sybase's enterprise device-management platform. SAP announced an agreement to acquire Sybase in May 2010. The transaction represented an enterprise value of approximately $5.8 billion, subject to the agreement's terms and closing conditions. SAP completed the acquisition in July 2010, making Sybase a wholly owned subsidiary of SAP America. Sybase's database, analytics, and mobility technologies were subsequently incorporated into SAP's broader enterprise software portfolio. In October 2012, Sybase employees were incorporated into SAP's workforce, and John Chen left the company effective October 31, 2012. SAP ceased using the Sybase name in 2014, ending the brand's operation as an independent corporate identity.

Sybase began in 1984 when Robert Epstein and Mark Hoffman, both formerly associated with Britton-Lee, left that company with Jane Doughty and Tom Haggin to establish a new database venture. The startup initially traded as Systemware and operated from Epstein's home in Berkeley, California. Its founders sought to build a relational database management system capable of organizing information and making it accessible across a computer network, reflecting the growing importance of shared enterprise data. The company's first commercial premises were part of an office suite at 2107 Dwight Way in Berkeley. In March 1986, Systemware entered licensing discussions with Microsoft concerning Systemware Data Server, a database product designed to run on UNIX systems. The discussions helped lead to Ashton-Tate/Microsoft SQL Server 1.0, which shipped in May 1989. This early relationship connected Systemware's database technology with one of the most important database products of the personal-computer and client-server era. In May 1991, Systemware changed its name to Sybase. Under that name, it developed and marketed enterprise relational database software, with its SQL Server product later becoming known as Adaptive Server Enterprise. Sybase established facilities in California and Massachusetts and expanded its role from a database specialist into a broader enterprise software and services company. Its portfolio included transaction-processing databases, analytical database technology, mobility products, mobile commerce tools, and related data-management capabilities. Sybase's analytical ambitions were represented by Sybase IQ, which was designed for data warehousing and analytical workloads. The company also developed mobile and enterprise application products, including technology intended to help organizations manage devices, deploy mobile applications, and extend business systems to mobile users. This diversification allowed Sybase to address the movement of enterprise computing away from exclusively fixed desktop and data-center environments. The company disclosed a serious reporting problem in January 1998. It found inconsistencies in profits reported by its Japanese subsidiary and restated results for the last three quarters of 1997. Sybase determined that five executives had used side letters to artificially inflate profits from their operations. The matter led to a class-action lawsuit, and the executives involved were fired. In November 1998, John S. Chen became chairman, president, and chief executive officer. He led Sybase through a period of repositioning and expansion that continued for roughly fifteen years. Sybase reported crossing one billion dollars in revenue in 2007. By the end of the decade, it was presenting itself not only as a database supplier but also as a provider of enterprise mobility and analytics. In 2009, Sybase and SAP partnered to bring SAP Business Suite software to devices such as the iPhone, Windows Mobile products, and BlackBerry devices. Sybase also began packaging MicroStrategy business-intelligence software with Sybase IQ and entered a partnership with Verizon for managed enterprise mobility services based on Sybase's device-management platform. SAP announced in May 2010 that SAP America had signed a definitive agreement to acquire Sybase for all outstanding common shares. The proposed transaction represented an enterprise value of approximately $5.8 billion. SAP completed the acquisition in July 2010, converting Sybase into a wholly owned subsidiary of SAP America. Sybase's technologies were subsequently incorporated into SAP's database, analytics, mobile, and enterprise software activities. The integration progressed beyond ownership. In October 2012, Sybase employees were incorporated into SAP's workforce. SAP also announced that Chen would leave Sybase effective October 31, 2012, after approximately fifteen years as its chief executive. SAP ultimately stopped using the Sybase name in 2014. Sybase therefore remains historically important as a database and enterprise mobility technology lineage within SAP, but it no longer operates as an independent company or active standalone brand.

1. 2014SAP retires the Sybase name

   SAP ceases using Sybase as an active brand name.

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2. 2010SAP completes acquisition

   SAP completes its acquisition of Sybase, making it a wholly owned subsidiary of SAP America.

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3. 2007Revenue surpasses one billion dollars

   Sybase crosses the one-billion-dollar revenue mark.

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4. 1998Japanese subsidiary accounting issue disclosed

   Sybase restates several quarters of 1997 results after identifying artificially inflated profits at its Japanese subsidiary.

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5. 1998John S. Chen becomes chief executive

   John S. Chen is appointed chairman, president, and chief executive officer.

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6. 1991Systemware adopts the Sybase name

   The company changes its name from Systemware to Sybase.

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7. 1989Ashton-Tate/Microsoft SQL Server 1.0 ships

   The product resulting from the licensing discussions ships in May 1989.

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8. 1986Systemware begins licensing discussions with Microsoft

   The company enters discussions concerning Systemware Data Server, its UNIX-oriented database product.

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9. 1984Sybase is founded as Systemware

   Robert Epstein, Mark Hoffman, Jane Doughty, and Tom Haggin establish the company in Berkeley, California, initially trading as Systemware.

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Enterprise data management, relational database, analytics, and mobile enterprise software provider.

• Adaptive Server EnterpriseRelational database management system

  Adaptive Server Enterprise, commonly abbreviated ASE, was Sybase's principal enterprise relational database platform. It evolved from the company's SQL Server technology and was designed for transaction processing and other business-critical workloads. ASE formed the core of Sybase's identity as a database software company and remained one of the principal technology assets associated with the brand after SAP acquired the company.

• Sybase IQAnalytical database and data warehousing

  Sybase IQ was an analytical database designed for data warehousing and business-intelligence workloads. It represented Sybase's expansion from operational relational databases into large-scale analysis and reporting. In 2009, Sybase began packaging MicroStrategy business-intelligence software with Sybase IQ, strengthening the offering's connection to analytics applications.

• Sybase Unwired PlatformEnterprise mobility platform

  Sybase Unwired Platform supported the development and deployment of mobile enterprise applications. It reflected Sybase's strategic move into mobile computing, helping organizations extend business processes and data beyond traditional desktop and data-center environments. The platform was part of the mobility technology associated with Sybase before and after its acquisition by SAP.

• Sybase SQL AnywhereRelational database management system

  SQL Anywhere was a Sybase relational database product associated with embedded, remote, and distributed application environments. It complemented the company's enterprise database products by addressing deployments outside large centralized data centers. The product belongs to the database technology lineage that SAP acquired with Sybase.

• 2012Integrate Sybase personnel into SAPStrategy

  Following the acquisition, SAP continued consolidating Sybase's operations and technology within its own organization.

  What changed. Sybase employees were incorporated into SAP's workforce, while John S. Chen left the company.

  Aftermath. The integration reduced Sybase's independence as a corporate organization and preceded SAP's retirement of the Sybase name in 2014.

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• 2010Agree to acquisition by SAPM&A

  SAP sought to strengthen its database, analytics, and mobile enterprise capabilities.

  What changed. SAP America signed a definitive agreement to acquire all outstanding Sybase common shares for an announced enterprise value of approximately $5.8 billion.

  Aftermath. The acquisition closed in July 2010, and Sybase became a wholly owned subsidiary of SAP America.

  Announced enterprise value. Approximately $5.8 billion (2010 transaction announcement)

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• 2009Expand into mobile enterprise computingStrategy

  Enterprise customers were increasingly accessing business applications and information from mobile devices.

  What changed. Sybase partnered with SAP on mobile access to SAP Business Suite, worked with Verizon on managed mobility services, and continued developing enterprise mobility technology.

  Aftermath. Mobility became a major part of Sybase's strategic value and helped support SAP's later acquisition rationale.

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• 1991Adopt the Sybase corporate nameStrategy

  Systemware had developed its initial database business and needed a durable corporate identity for expansion.

  What changed. The company changed its name from Systemware to Sybase.

  Aftermath. Sybase became the brand associated with the company's enterprise database and services business.

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• 1984Focus on networked relational databasesStrategy

  The founders established the company to create a relational database management system that could organize information and make it accessible to computers connected through a network.

  What changed. Systemware began developing a UNIX-oriented database server and pursued a licensing relationship with Microsoft.

  Aftermath. The resulting technology helped lead to Ashton-Tate/Microsoft SQL Server 1.0 and established the company's database-software identity.

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• 1998Japanese subsidiary profit-reporting controversyControversy

  Sybase disclosed inconsistencies in profits reported by its Japanese subsidiary and restated results for the last three quarters of 1997. The company attributed the issue to five executives who had used side letters to artificially inflate reported profits. A related class-action lawsuit followed, and the five executives were dismissed.

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• 2014SAP ends use of the Sybase name

  SAP ceased using the Sybase name as the former company's technologies and products were integrated into SAP's portfolio.

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• 2012Sybase employees join SAP workforce and John Chen departs

  Sybase employees were incorporated into SAP's workforce, and SAP announced that John S. Chen would leave his Sybase leadership role effective October 31, 2012.

  Leadership changeM&A
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• 2010SAP agrees to acquire Sybase

  SAP America signed a definitive agreement to acquire all outstanding Sybase common shares. The announced transaction had an enterprise value of approximately $5.8 billion.

  M&A
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• 2010SAP completes acquisition of Sybase

  SAP announced completion of the acquisition, after which Sybase became a wholly owned subsidiary of SAP America.

  M&A
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• 2009Sybase and SAP partner on mobile access to SAP Business Suite

  Sybase and SAP announced a partnership to deliver SAP Business Suite capabilities to mobile devices, including iPhone, Windows Mobile, and BlackBerry devices.

  Product launch
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• 2009Sybase partners with Verizon on managed enterprise mobility

  Sybase and Verizon agreed to support worldwide enterprise mobility services through Verizon Managed Mobility Solutions, using Sybase enterprise device-management technology.

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1. Sybase