DATACOM/DB
| Company type | Proprietary software |
|---|---|
| Industry | Software, Database management systems |
| Predecessor | Computer Information Management Company (CIM) |
| Founded | January 1, 1970 |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Datacom/DB, IDEAL |
| Owner | Broadcom Inc. |
Datacom/DB is a relational database management system tailored for use on mainframe computer platforms. Originating in the early 1970s, it was initially developed by Computer Information Management Company. Ownership subsequently passed through several entities including Insyte, Applied Data Research, Ameritech, and Computer Associates International, Inc.. Following acquisition by CA Technologies (formerly known as Computer Associates), the product was rebranded as CA-Datacom/DB and later as CA Datacom/DB. In 2018, Broadcom purchased CA Technologies along with the CA Datacom suite, and by 2021, the CA prefix was removed, with the software now identified simply as Datacom or Datacom/DB.
Origin
The 1970s brought significant advancements in DBMS technology, driven by the necessity to manage vast databases more efficiently. Early mainframe systems primarily operated in batch mode where processing speed was less critical. However, the emergence of online systems created a demand for immediate data access and continuous updates. This shift presented critical challenges for sectors such as banking and credit reporting:
- Major financial institutions required real-time handling of tens of millions of accounts rather than relying on traditional off-hours batch processing.
- Credit bureaus needed to continuously update and manage large volumes of customer credit information dynamically.
Datacom initially focused on fast data retrieval from enormous files through Inverted List technology. Although this method excelled at data retrieval, it faced limitations when handling extensive data maintenance tasks. To overcome these challenges, Datacom/DB transitioned into a relational database system incorporating specialized index-driven mechanisms that significantly improved maintenance efficiency while preserving rapid retrieval capabilities. This transformation positioned Datacom/DB as an economical and high-performing DBMS solution within the IBM mainframe ecosystem.
Credit Bureau industry
During the 1950s and 1960s, credit bureaus functioned on a local scale, relying on paper-based records stored in numerous filing cabinets to track borrowers and retail customers. At one prominent bureau, employees even used roller skates to expedite file retrieval.
In 1965, IBM initiated a project aimed at automating the two largest credit bureaus—Chilton Corporation in Dallas and the Credit Bureau of Greater Houston—by utilizing its new System/360 mainframe computers. This project was led by three IBM veterans who, following its success, established Computer Information Management Company (CIM) in Dallas in 1968 to develop similar systems for other credit bureaus.
Computer Information Management Co.
CIM concentrated on applications involving telecommunications. One of its earliest projects involved creating an online teller system for First National Bank of Fort Worth. Due to underperformance issues with CICS, CIM developed a general-purpose telecommunications monitor which was later named Generalized Multi-Tasking Monitor (GMT).
The majority of CIM’s consulting engagements were within the financial sector, especially targeting savings and loan institutions that managed large datasets but experienced low daily transaction volumes. To resolve performance limitations associated with ISAM, CIM designed a key-driven extension to GMT for a major savings bank on the West Coast; this innovation laid the groundwork for what would become Datacom/DB.
Although CIM continued marketing GMT alongside offering technical consulting services, its highly technical nature made GMT challenging to sell broadly. Because executive teams often lacked sufficient technical understanding to value teleprocessing monitors, CIM focused its sales efforts on organizations led by knowledgeable data processing managers or technically proficient lead staff.
Insyte
During the early 1970s, a Houston-based venture capitalist consolidated multiple businesses under the name Information System Technologies (Insyte). By 1974, Insyte had gained control of CIM through the acquisition of its promissory notes, subsequently replacing its senior executives. The company then separated the teleprocessing monitor from the key-driven access method, rebranding these components as Datacom/DC (data communications) and Datacom/DB (database), respectively. To emphasize this product focus, the firm adopted the name Insyte Datacom.
At that stage, Datacom/DB was positioned alongside competitors such as IDMS, IMS, DL/1, ADABAS, DBOMP, and Cincom Systems’ TOTAL. Although Insyte Datacom was relatively small, it quickly established a solid reputation in the market due to the speed and reliability of its Datacom/DB and Datacom/DC offerings.
Applied Data Research
In 1978, Insyte divested Insyte Datacom to Applied Data Research (ADR), headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey. This transaction followed a prior collaboration where Datacom/DC was utilized as an online programming workstation for ADR/Vollie customers. Acknowledging the expanding significance of DBMS solutions, ADR acquired both the assets and personnel of Insyte Datacom in November 1978, launching an aggressive marketing campaign for Datacom across the United States and internationally.
IDEAL
ADR’s sales efforts concentrated on promoting Datacom/DB, securing thousands of customers across diverse sectors. To enhance this success, ADR developed an advanced application development language aimed at simplifying telecommunication-based programming tasks. Building on MetaCOBOL technology, ADR introduced IDEAL (Interactive Development Environment for an Application Lifecycle), representing a major breakthrough in database application languages.
The integration of IDEAL’s efficient development environment with Datacom/DB’s user-friendly design and Datacom/DC’s robust performance resulted in a leading product suite that dominated industry benchmarks throughout the 1980s.
Datacom/DC versus IBM's CICS and VTAM
Datacom/DC overcame numerous restrictions found in CICS, delivering enhanced performance. Nonetheless, IBM’s substantial investments in CICS and the release of VTAM in the late 1980s necessitated significant rewrites of Datacom/DC. Consequently, ADR decided to withdraw from this segment, substituting Datacom/DC with CICS Services to serve as the interface connecting CICS, Datacom, and eventually IDEAL.
Although IDEAL was originally designed for use with Datacom/DB, it was subsequently adapted to support DB2 environments.
DATACOM/DB for Edos
ADR granted a license for DATACOM/DB to TCSC, which marketed customized versions of IBM DOS/360 and DOS/VS operating systems under the Edos brand. Following Nixdorf Computer’s acquisition of TCSC in 1980, a licensing dispute emerged regarding product continuation rights. The disagreement was resolved out of court in 1981, permitting Nixdorf to maintain resale rights for ADR products.
Ameritech
In 1986, Chicago-based Ameritech acquired ADR based on its strategic view that software and communications technologies would increasingly merge, positioning Ameritech advantageously within this evolving sector.
Computer Associates
Although Ameritech’s foresight was accurate, it divested ADR to Computer Associates (CA) in 1988. This transaction incorporated Datacom/DB and IDEAL into CA’s broad suite of mainframe offerings. Datacom/DB is distinguished by its ability to facilitate substantial improvements to existing software without the need for rewriting code.
Currently, Datacom/DB and IDEAL continue to serve as fundamental CA solutions, providing data management capabilities for a wide range of Fortune 500 corporations and various U.S. government agencies.
CA, Inc. v ISI Pty Limited
In 2012, CA prevailed in legal proceedings against the Australian software company ISI Pty Limited concerning "2BDB2," a tool developed to assist with transitioning from Datacom to IBM's DB2 system. The Federal Court of Australia determined that 2BDB2’s macros violated CA’s copyright and that ISI had misappropriated CA’s confidential data. The court applied a restrictive interpretation of the interoperability exception under Australian legislation, thereby limiting its scope for third-party software developers like ISI.
CADRE
The inaugural Datacom user conference was held in Dallas in 1974. Following the acquisition of Insyte Datacom by ADR in 1978, these gatherings persisted annually under the designation CADRE, establishing an unbroken tradition since their origin.