Sterling Commerce
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Software, B2B integration, Omni-Channel Commerce |
| Founded | 1978 |
| Founder | William Plumb |
| Fate | Acquired by IBM |
| Headquarters | Dublin, Ohio , United States |
| Products | Electronic data interchange (EDI) translation software, Connect:Direct (Network Data Mover), B2B Integration platforms, Managed file transfer (MFT) solutions |
| Parent | IBM |
Sterling Commerce was an enterprise focused on software and services, specializing in Omni-Channel Commerce and B2B solutions, including software for Electronic data interchange (EDI) translation. It ranked among the pioneering providers of B2B Integration platforms and managed file transfer ("MFT") solutions such as Connect:Direct (initially known as Network Data Mover). The company was based near Columbus, Ohio, specifically in Dublin, Ohio. Sterling Commerce was acquired by SBC Communications, which later merged with AT&T. Eventually, AT&T sold the company to IBM, and the former Sterling Commerce campus in Columbus was converted into an IBM facility.
Previous acquisitions
- September 2003: The Banking Systems Division was sold to Thoma Cresse Equity Partners, resulting in the formation of VectorSGI focused on banking.
- April 2004: TR2, a Boston-based firm specializing in data synchronization software, was acquired.
- January 2005: The purchase of Yantra, a company providing Distributed Order Management and Warehouse Systems, bolstered its strategy for cross-channel supply chain execution.
- May 2006: Nistevo, known for on-demand transportation management solutions supporting supply chain operations, was added to the portfolio.
- November 2006: Comergent, which offered sophisticated web selling capabilities for both B2B and B2C markets as part of its cross-channel supply chain approach, was acquired.
Ownership
- Sterling Commerce originated from OrderNet, an early Value Added Network based on EDI technology founded circa 1978 by William Plumb under Informatics, Inc. Plumb is acknowledged as a pioneer in the EDI field.
- In June 1985, Informatics was acquired by Sterling Software, led by Samuel E. Wyly, through a successful tender offer. Despite Sterling Software being roughly one-tenth the size of Informatics at that time, it retained OrderNet—renaming it Sterling Commerce—and divested other units while investing in its growth.
- In 2000, SBC Communications acquired Sterling Commerce.
- After SBC merged with AT&T Corp. in November 2005, Sterling Commerce became part of the combined AT&T entity.
- In May 2010, IBM purchased Sterling Commerce from AT&T for $1.4 billion, incorporating it into IBM’s suite of supply chain and commerce solutions.