Software AG and DB Systems Announce a Partnership to Provide IT Modernisation to the Public Sector in Germany

15. Dezember 2005

Combined products and services to deliver Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) based mainframe modernisation and IT centre optimisation

Software AG and DB Systems GmbH, Deutsche Bahn’s IT service provider announced, a partnership to modernise the public administration sector IT infrastructure in Germany. As part of the partnership, both companies will offer a complete modernisation package, providing an SOA backbone for mainframe systems and the professional management and servicing of large IT systems. Both companies have extensive experience in this market. Software AG will provide products and solutions for IT modernisation and integration while DB Systems will provide their extensive IT infrastructure, including related services, as well as their competency in managing large projects.

“We are very excited about this partnership with DB Systems,” says Alfred Pfaff, member of the Board of Directors at Software AG and head of operations for Central Europe and Asia. “We have been working with DB Systems for 20 years with the emphasis on DB Systems’ internal applications and systems, including projects for mainframe modernisation. Now, we can use our combined experience to efficiently support the public administration.”

“Together with Software AG, we can offer extremely powerful solutions. Our know-how in terms of large project management and application hosting and our own mainframe modernisation experience allied with Software AG’s product portfolio make for a strong partnership,” explains Ulrich Meuser, member of the Board of Directors at DB Systems and head of Customer- and Delivery management. “Many clients in the public administration sector can profit long-term from this experience.”

The two companies will build a joint distribution team under the framework of the partnership. This team will utilise existing support tools and infrastructures and can avail of the existing service clientele and both companies’ strong presence in Germany’s public sector. The first joint contract with a client has already been signed.

DB Systems and Software AG have a comprehensive solution for one of the biggest challenges facing the public administration, to integrate mainframe applications and modern IT applications, such as online services, in a cost-effective manner. Software AG’s products for Legacy modernisation and XML Business Integration make it possible to expose mainframe applications as web services without changing code. This allows for the realisation of a service-oriented architecture (SOA) backbone for integrating information and applications. An SOA is considered one of the most cost-effective and efficient ways of integrating different information systems. The use of a SOA allows organisations to continue to use existing systems and applications, lower transaction costs and optimise business processes control and transparency. DB Systems itself uses ApplinX – a component of Software AG’s XML Business Integration Portfolio – in its own offices to modernise and expand mainframe applications throughout the company.

Additionally, DB Systems will make its modern, round-the-clock IT infrastructure available. The Deutsche Bahn subsidiary has one of the largest computer centres in Europe offering high availability systems. This service is further supplemented through a modern IT service desk that is available for some 80 000 users 24 hours a day as first level support. DB Systems is continuously developing its infrastructure and has already seen a clear increase in efficiency after undertaking the modernisation of its own mainframe applications.

Software AG , headquartered in Darmstadt, Germany, provides a full range of products and services to deliver a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) IT infrastructure, based on over thirty-five years experience in high-performance databases, application development tools and integration technologies. Its technology offers process driven integration through legacy modernization and real-time single views of strategic business information. Software AG helps its customers to achieve a competitive advantage through flexible and adaptive business processes based on fast and easy integration of existing IT assets. It supports the mission-critical systems of over 3,000 customers globally. Software AG is represented in around 60 countries with more than 2,600 employees. It is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (TecDAX, ISIN DE 0003304002 / SOW). In 2004 Software AG posted €411 million in total revenue.

DB Systems GmbH (limited) is Deutsche Bahn’s IT-Full-Service-Provider, responsible for managing the Group’s information technology solutions. The range of services offered extends from process and technology consultancy, through developing and integrating new applications into customers’ IT environment, to comprehensive maintenance and operational management of IT systems. Continuous attention is paid to ensuring high quality and security standards in performing these functions. DB Systems employs 2200 employees.

Headquarters of DB Systems are in Frankfurt/Main.

Further information: www.softwareag.com and www.db.de