UNICOM Global
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Technology, Software, IT Services, Real Estate |
| Founded | 1981 |
| Founder | Corry Hong |
| Headquarters | Mission Hills, California , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Corry Hong (CEO and President) |
| Products | AUTOMON/CICS solutions, IT products and services, software platforms, wireless mesh networking hardware, file sharing and big data analytics products, enterprise information management software, customer communication management software, mainframe modernization software |
UNICOM Global is a multinational technology enterprise based in the United States, with its headquarters located in Mission Hills, California. Established in 1981 by entrepreneur Corry Hong, the company initially focused on creating AUTOMON/CICS solutions tailored for the CICS mainframe sector. Over time, it has grown substantially through targeted acquisitions of both publicly traded and privately held IT companies, alongside investments in real estate. Corry Hong, who serves as CEO and president, originally emigrated from Seoul, South Korea, and pursued computer science studies at Pierce College in Los Angeles.
The company caters to a wide array of sectors such as aerospace and defense, financial services including banking and Fintech, consumer electronics, energy, healthcare, insurance, manufacturing, media, oil and gas, retail, telecommunications, transportation, and various government agencies.
Corporate structure
The primary business units within UNICOM Global consist of:
- UNICOM Government, Inc. (UGI) – Provides IT products and professional services across Federal, State, and Local Government entities. In 2015, UGI was selected as one of six vendors awarded a $652 million contract for enterprise IT modernization by the U.S. Army. Prior to acquisition by UNICOM Global in 2012, UGI operated as GTSI on NASDAQ.
- UNICOM Engineering – Develops application platforms and hardware appliances aimed at software developers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). This division evolved from Network Engines Inc (NEI Corporation), which was acquired in 2012.
- US Robotics – Specializes in data communications technology and holds a legacy as an early innovator in internet networking.
- Firetide – Creates wireless mesh networking hardware and software solutions.
- Memeo – Focuses on products related to file sharing, big data analytics, and data warehousing.
- UNICOM Systems – Offers digital transformation software solutions and services. This division includes software assets acquired from IBM, such as System Architect, Focal Point, PurifyPlus, UNICOM Intelligence (previously SPSS Survey), solidDB, UNICOM Finance (formerly Cognos Finance), and the PowerHouse programming language.
- Macro 4 – Oversees global operations and develops software for enterprise information management, customer communication management (CCM), and mainframe modernization. Acquired in 2009, Macro 4 markets the Universal Gateway (uniGW) product line. Its subdivisions include:
- SoftLanding Systems – Acquired in 2006; recognized as one of the leading "Big Three" vendors specializing in IBM i change management software.
- iET Solutions – Produces ITIL-compliant IT Service Management (ITSM) and Software Asset Management (SAM) tools.
- DETEC – Provides software solutions facilitating intercorporate communication along with B2B and B2C interactions.
- Eden – Manages financial services including capital investments, mergers and acquisitions activities, as well as real estate operations.
Headquarters and Operations
UNICOM Global maintains a presence with 31 facilities spread over 17 countries. It operates several key campuses dedicated to IT innovation and corporate functions:
- UNICOM Plaza – Serves as the Corporate Headquarters situated in Mission Hills, California.
- UNICOM Technology Park (UTP) – Acquired in 2015; functions as both a research hub and the headquarters for UNICOM Government.
- UNICOM Science & Technology Park (USTP) – Formerly known as the Merck Headquarters Building, this site was procured in 2018 to support research initiatives.
- UNICOM Innovation Park – Previously The Martingale office complex located in Schaumburg, Illinois; acquired in 2023 and transformed into a center for research and innovation.
- Pickfair Executive Meeting Center – A historic estate in Beverly Hills converted into an executive-level conference facility.
- Roripaugh Ranch – An extensive 800-acre planned community designed as an IT Village located in California.
- The Orangery, Crabbet Park IT Center near London, United Kingdom.
Corporate history
UNICOM Global was established in 1981 by Corry Hong, an entrepreneur and Seoul-born immigrant with expertise in computer science. The company initially focused on creating AUTOMON/CICS solutions tailored for the mainframe industry. One of its early milestones was the implementation of these products during the 1988 Seoul Olympics, which also earned the company significant industry accolades.
The cornerstone of UNICOM’s expansion strategy lies in targeted acquisitions aimed at broadening its product range, increasing market presence, and enhancing international operations. Significant acquisitions include:
| No. | Date | Company/Product | Business Focus | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1997-12 | Commercial plaza; creation of UNICOM Plaza | Commercial real estate | United States |
| 2-4 | 1998-07 to 2000-07 | Various mainframe software assets from SofTouch Systems and Technologic Software Concepts | Mainframe software solutions | United States |
| 5 | 2000-10 | Wingsweep sports complex and corporate retreat center | Commercial real estate | United States |
| 6-7 | 2005-04 to 2006-09 | Pickfair Estate; Softlanding (IBM i change management software) | Commercial real estate; Mainframe software | United States |
| 8-9 | 2006-11 to 2006-12 | Eden Communications ITSM software; R&D facility known as UNICOM Center | Service management software; Commercial real estate | United States |
| 10-11 | 2008-02 to 2009-01 | Roripaugh Ranch planned residential community; Macro 4 plc (global software and services) | Commercial real estate; Software and services | United States; United Kingdom |
| 12-13 | 2011-09 | Illustro Systems International; iET Solutions (ITSM and Software Asset Management) | Mainframe software; Service management software | United States |
| 14-15 | 2012-06 to 2012-09 | NASDAQ-listed GTSI (government IT solutions); Network Engines Inc. (network infrastructure) | Publicly traded companies | United States |
| 16 | 2012-07 | DETEC Software GmbH (document composition technology) | Software development | Germany |
| 17-18 | 2013-06 | US Robotics (Internet connectivity); Acentia commercial division (network and infrastructure services) | Public companies | United States |
| 19-20 | 2013-12 to 2014-03 | IBM Cognos Application Development Tools; Memeo cloud file sharing platforms | Software products | United States |
Between 2014 and 2016, UNICOM augmented its portfolio by acquiring various IBM products and securing intellectual property licenses spanning analytics, content management, enterprise architecture, digital transformation, and mainframe software. Prominent integrations include the PowerHouse suite, solidDB in-memory database, Rational Focal Point, SPSS Data Collection (rebranded as UNICOM Intelligence), and System Architect.
Recent milestones in the company’s growth encompass:
- Acquisition of Washington Technology Park in 2015, rebranded as UNICOM Technology Park.
- Purchase of the former Merck Headquarters Building in 2018, now operating as UNICOM Science & Technology Park.
- Launch of UNICOM Global Logistics based in Las Vegas in 2019.
- Procurement of The Martingale office tower in Illinois during early 2023 for development into UNICOM Innovation Park.
- Establishment of a Southeast Asia regional headquarters located in Singapore by mid-2023.
This acquisition-focused approach has significantly strengthened UNICOM’s market position by diversifying its offerings while expanding its global presence across both commercial real estate and technology domains.
See also
- Pickfair estate located in Beverly Hills, California, under UNICOM ownership
- Merck Headquarters Building, a property held by UNICOM