IBM announced Monday that it has entered into an agreement to buy DataMirror, a Toronto-based company that makes software that identifies and captures data that has been added, deleted or updated and replicates the changes in real time to databases and operational applications.

The DataMirror software is used for a range of tasks including real-time event detection, disaster recovery, and integration of production and E-business systems. But perhaps the fastest growing application for the technology is dynamic data warehousing and real-time analysis, says Michael Curry, director of product strategy and management, IBM information platform and solutions.

IBM will provide a detailed technology integration roadmap and timetable once the acquisition is completed. But Curry says IBM's intention is to add DataMirror's technology to its IBM Information Server platform that includes data integration technology from its 2005 acquisition of Ascential Software, meta data management technology from its 2006 buyout of Unicorn Solutions, and other technologies.

IBM and DataMirror already have a relationship under which their products work together. "So we don't expect the [technology] integration to be a significant task," Curry says.

Publicly held DataMirror reported sales of $46.5 million (U.S.) in its fiscal year ended Jan. 31. It has approximately 220 employees. IBM expects to maintain the DataMirror facility in Toronto as an engineering and development center of expertise in replication technologies, Curry says.

The deal, which is subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals, is expected to close during the current quarter.

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