Connect:Direct
| Company type | Software |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer software, File transfer |
| Founded | 1980s |
| Headquarters | Dallas , United States |
| Products | Connect:Direct file transfer software |
| Owner | IBM (since 2010) |
Connect:Direct, initially called Network Data Mover (NDM), is a software solution designed to facilitate file transfers between mainframe computers and/or midrange computers. Originally created for mainframe environments, its compatibility later extended to various other platforms. The name changed to Connect:Direct in 1993 following the acquisition of Systems Center, Inc. by Sterling Software. In 1996, Sterling Software separated Sterling Commerce, which included the Communications Software Group responsible for Connect:Direct and related file transfer products. SBC Communications purchased Sterling Commerce in 2000 and maintained ownership until 2010. After SBC merged with AT&T in 2005, IBM finalized the acquisition of Sterling Commerce from AT&T in 2010.
Technology
The initial implementation of Sterling Connect:Direct utilized IBM's Systems Network Architecture (SNA) over dedicated private lines for data transmission. Support for TCP/IP protocols was introduced in the early 1990s. Its main benefit compared to FTP lies in providing consistent and dependable file transfer capabilities.
IBM Sterling Connect:Direct is widely deployed across sectors such as financial institutions, government bodies, and large enterprises that operate heterogeneous computing environments including mainframes, midrange systems, Linux, and Windows platforms. It generally achieves transfer speeds marginally higher than FTP by optimizing link utilization. Multiple compression techniques are available to improve throughput when CPU capacity allows; however, these can affect other processes in multi-tasking setups.
Initially, encrypted transfers were not supported natively; instead, encryption was offered through an optional add-on named Connect:Direct Secure+ which provided SSL, TLS, or Station-to-Station protocol (STS) encryption. Following IBM’s acquisition, encryption capabilities have been incorporated into the core product to align with modern security requirements.
File transfers utilize either Binary mode (without data translation) or automatic conversion between ASCII and EBCDIC, enabling smooth interoperability between distributed systems and mainframes—this functionality distinguishes it from many other file transfer solutions.
History
During the mid-1980s, former employees of UCC established "The System Center, Inc." in Dallas, Texas with the intention of developing a mainframe systems management tool. Market analysis redirected their efforts toward creating a high-performance file transfer application, resulting in the development of Network Data Mover (NDM). Initially supporting IBM's MVS operating system, NDM later extended compatibility to IBM's DOS/VSE and VM/CMS, followed by midrange and PC platforms to serve a broad range of hardware configurations.
The System Center merged with VM Software based in Reston, Virginia, forming "Systems Center, Inc." with headquarters in Reston. Sterling Software from Dallas acquired this merged entity in 1993 and relocated the headquarters back to Dallas. In 1996, the company was divided into two segments: Sterling Commerce (focused on file transfer) and Sterling Software (application software). Sterling Software’s Synctrac file transfer product was integrated with NDM under Sterling Commerce.
In February 2000, Sam Wyly and Sterling Williams sold Sterling Commerce to SBC Communications (currently AT&T) for $3.9 billion. At the same time, Sterling Software was acquired by Computer Associates International for $4 billion.
IBM finalized its purchase of Sterling Commerce on August 27, 2010, at a cost of about $1.4 billion.
References