Editing Software AG

{{Short description|German software producer}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Software AG
| logo = software-gmbh-logo.svg
| type = [[Privately held company|Private]]
| industry = [[Computer software]]
| foundation = {{start date and age|1969}}
| location = [[Darmstadt]], [[Germany]]
| products = [[Digital Transformation]] software and consulting including [[Architecture of Integrated Information Systems|ARIS]], [[Adabas]] & Natural
| services = 
| revenue = {{increase}} €958.2 million <small>(2022)</small><ref name=f>{{Cite web|title=Software AG Profit & Loss account, Software AG Financial Statement & Accounts|url=https://investors.softwareag.com/en_en/financial-results--news--events/result-center/annual-reports-sow.html}}</ref>
| operating_income = {{decrease}} €75.6 million <small>(2022)</small><ref name=f/>
| net_income = {{decrease}} €19.2 million <small>(2022)</small><ref name=f/>
| assets = {{increase}} €2678.4 million <small>(2022)</small><ref name=f/>
| equity = {{increase}} €1511.2 million <small>(2022)</small><ref name=f/>
| num_employees = 2000 <small>([[full-time equivalent|FTE]], 2022)</small><ref name=f/>
| owner = {{ubl|[[Silver Lake (investment firm)|Silver Lake]] {{smaller|(2023–present)}}}}
| homepage = [http://www.softwareag.com/ www.softwareag.com]
}}
'''Software GmbH''',<ref name="divestment">{{cite web |title=Adabas & Natural and ARIS launch as standalone businesses. Software GmbH announces closing of sales of Alfabet and Cumulocity, departure of Group CEO, Sanjay Brahmawar, and new central leadership |url=https://newscenter.softwareag.com/en/news-stories/press-releases/2024/0107-adabas-and-natural-and-aris-launch-as-standalone.html |website=Software AG News Center |publisher=Software GmbH |access-date=28 January 2025}}</ref> trading as '''Software AG''', is a German multinational software corporation that develops enterprise software for business process management, integration, and big data analytics. Founded in 1969, the company is headquartered in Darmstadt, Germany, and has offices worldwide.

In 2023, [[Silver Lake (investment firm)|Silver Lake]] and [[Bain Capital]] made separate offers to buy the German company. In June, Software AG had most of its controlling interest acquired by Silver Lake, in a deal valued at 2.4 billion euros.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.privateequitywire.co.uk/2023/06/30/321164/silver-lake-acquires-majority-stake-software-ag|title=Silver Lake acquires majority stake in Software AG|work=Private Equity Eire|access-date=2023-07-28|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tech.eu/2023/06/30/us-private-equity-firm-silver-lake-acquires-majority-stake-in-software-ag-at-2-4-billion-intends-to-delist-the-company-asap/|title=US private equity firm Silver Lake acquires majority stake in Software AG at €2.4 billion, intends to delist the company ASAP|work=Tech.eu|date=30 June 2023 |access-date=2023-07-28|language=en-US}}</ref>

==History==
The company was founded in 1969 by six young employees at the consulting firm AIV (Institut für Angewandte Informationsverarbeitung). One of the founders was the mathematician [[Peter Schnell (computer scientist)|Peter Schnell]], who later became chairman of the board for many years.

[[ADABAS]] was launched in 1971 as a high-performance transactional [[database management system]]. In 1979, Natural, a [[4GL]] application development [[Natural-language programming|English-like]] language, that was mainly developed by [[Peter Pagé]], was launched. The company continued to open offices and subsidiaries in North America (1971), Japan (1974), UK (1977), France (1983), Spain (1984), Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, and Saudi Arabia (1985).

By 1987, Software AG had around 500 employees, 12 subsidiaries in Europe and offices in more than 50 countries. In 1999, Software AG was listed on Frankfurt Stock Exchange and soon after the company released Tamino Information Server and Tamino XML Server.<ref name="ADVFN">{{Cite web|title=Software AG O.N. (Frankfurt) Stock Price - SOW.|url=https://www.advfn.com/stock-market/FWB/SOW/stock-price|access-date=May 7, 2018|work=ADVFN|date=2018|archive-date=May 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508054731/https://www.advfn.com/stock-market/FWB/SOW/stock-price|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In January 2005, Software AG acquired Sabratec Ltd, a privately held legacy integration vendor headquartered in [[Israel]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=871882|title=Software AG to Acquire Legacy Integration Technology Company Sabratec Ltd.|work=Globes|date=9 January 2005}}</ref> This was followed by the acquisition of its Israeli distributor SPL Software in March 2007<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jpost.com/Business/BusinessFeatures/Article.aspx?id=289364 |title=Software AG: US will be our top market in future|work=Jerusalem Post|date=2012-10-25}}</ref> and the application modernization business of another Israeli company, [[Jacada]] in December 2007,<ref name="refname5">{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS65244+20-Dec-2007+BW20071220|title=Jacada Announces Sale of its Application Modernization Business to Software AG for $26 Million|date=December 20, 2007|work=Reuters|type=Press Release|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114134250/https://www.reuters.com/article/2007/12/20/idUS65244+20-Dec-2007+BW20071220|archive-date= November 14, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> which formed the basis for its [[research and development]] center in Israel.

The company launched Centrasite [[SOA Governance]] platform in 2006 and with the $546M acquisition of U.S. rival [[webMethods]] in 2007 Software AG became active in the [[enterprise service bus]], [[business process management]] and [[service-oriented architecture]] (SOA) product space.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.softwareag.com/corporate/company/companyinfo/history/default.asp|title=Company History - Software AG|publisher=Software AG}}</ref>

In July 2009, it announced a takeover offer for the Germany-based company [[IDS Scheer]] AG. Since February 2010, IDS Scheer is part of the Software AG Group.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.softwareag.com/corporate/Press/pressreleases/20100212_domination_and_profit_transfer_agreement_Software_AG_IDS_Scheer_AG_registered_page.asp|title=The domination and profit transfer agreement between Software AG and IDS Scheer AG now registered|publisher=Software AG}}</ref> In October 2010, the company acquired New Jersey–based Data Foundations, a leading [[master data management]] provider.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2010-10-26/software-ag-third-quarter-profit-rises-20-raises-forecast | title=Software AG Raises Forecast on Profit Gain, IDS Scheer Purchase | work=Bloomberg | date=October 26, 2010 | access-date=August 13, 2016 | author=Schweizer, Kristen}}</ref>

In May 2011, Software AG acquired [[Terracotta, Inc.]] and Metismo Ltd. Terracotta Inc is in the field of in-memory technology for high-performance applications and cloud services – especially the middleware platform WebMethods should benefit from this acquisition.{{Promotion inline|date=December 2021}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/it-medien/terracotta-uebernahme-software-ag-freut-sich-ueber-cloud-technologie/4207108.html|title=Terracotta-Übernahme: Software AG freut sich über Cloud-Technologie}}</ref>

In April 2012, Software AG (SAG) announced buying the British technology provider my-Channels. With it, Software AG gained in-house access to universal messaging technology that allowed the company to transfer their data streams quickly and safely to the cloud and mobile applications.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.computerwoche.de/a/software-ag-uebernimmt-britischen-messaging-spezialisten,2509633|title=my-Channels: Software AG übernimmt britischen Messaging-Spezialisten|publisher=computerwoche.de}}</ref>

In March 2013, SAG invested in Berlin-based company metaquark, which is specialized in mobile software – the aim is to jointly develop the webMethods Mobile Suite.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.silicon.de/41581924/software-ag-investiert-in-mobiles-startup/|trans-title=Software AG invests in mobile startup |date=27 March 2013|publisher=silicon.de|first=Martin|last=Schindler|title=Software AG investiert in mobiles Startup|language=de}}</ref> In April, Software AG bought the US cloud platform provider LongJump, which offers modules and templates for building and running business applications in the public or private cloud settings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heise.de/developer/meldung/Software-AG-kauft-PaaS-Firma-LongJump-1849503.html|title=Software AG kauft PaaS-Firma LongJump|first=heise|last=Developer|date=26 April 2013 |publisher=heise.de}}</ref>

On June 13, 2013, it acquired alfabet AG, a software provider of [[enterprise architecture]] and IT portfolio management.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crn.de/software/artikel-99566.html|title=Software AG übernimmt alfabet|publisher=crn.de|access-date=2013-07-16|archive-date=2013-10-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021165808/http://www.crn.de/software/artikel-99566.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Then SAG announced purchased the [[Apama (software)|Apama]] [[Complex Event Processing]] platform of [[Progress Software]]; the platform provides an environment for the design and operation of CEP applications providing tools and graphical analysis and test capabilities for analysts, developers and administrators.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heise.de/developer/meldung/Software-AG-kauft-Apama-1890513.html|title=Software AG kauft Apama|first=heise|last=Developer|date=17 June 2013 }}</ref>

In August 2013, Software AG acquired [[JackBe]] to serve as the foundation for its Intelligent Business Operations Platform, which provides analytics and decision management for real-time applications.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/30/va-software-ag-idUSnBw305402a+100+BSW20140430 | title=Software AG's Acquisition of JackBe Recognized as Strategic M&A Deal of the Year | work=Reuters | date=April 30, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517120941/https://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/30/va-software-ag-idUSnBw305402a+100+BSW20140430 | archive-date=May 17, 2014 | url-status=dead}}</ref> In December, Software AG invested in [[big data analytics]] company [[Datameer]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/12/18/datameeer-raises-19m-as-market-for-hadoop-and-big-data-analytics-hits-an-inflection-point/|title=Datameer Secures $19 Million to Meet Global Demand for Self-Service Big Data Analytics for Hadoop|date=19 December 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.datameer.com/company/news/press-releases/datameer-secures-19million-global-demand-self-service-bigdata-analytics-hadoop.html | title=Datameer Raises $19M As Market For Hadoop And Big Data Analytics Hits An Inflection Point}}</ref> which offers self-service Big Data Analytics and "to follow cutting edge technology trends".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.softwareag.com/us/images/Software_AG_Investor_Newsletter_4_2013_tcm89-115956.pdf | title=Investor Newsletter #4/2013 | publisher=Software AG | date=December 2013 | access-date=August 13, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140607010104/http://www.softwareag.com/us/images/Software_AG_Investor_Newsletter_4_2013_tcm89-115956.pdf | archive-date=June 7, 2014}}</ref>

On March 27, 2017, SAG announced the acquisition of Cumulocity GmbH, based in Düsseldorf, Germany.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.softwareag.com/corporate/company/press/news/dyn_press?id=161581-158077|title=Software AG Press Releases|website=www.softwareag.com|access-date=2018-03-19}}</ref> On June 12, 2018, Software AG acquired the Belgian self-service analytics company, TrendMiner NV., a specialist in virtual data analysis for the manufacturing and process industry.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.softwareag.com/corporate/company/press/news/dyn_press?id=171415-158077|title=Software AG acquires Trendminer to expand IoT portfolio through time-series data used in AI algorithms|date=2018-06-12|access-date=2019-03-21|publisher=Software AG}}</ref>

In April 2023, [[private equity]] firm Silver Lake agreed to buy the company for {{Euro|2.2 billion}} ({{US$|2.4}}{{nbsp}}billion).<ref>{{cite news |last=Babu |first=Juby |date=April 21, 2023 |title=Silver Lake to buy Germany's Software AG in $2.42 billion deal |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/silver-lake-buy-germanys-software-ag-242-bln-deal-2023-04-21/ |publisher=Reuters}}</ref> Silver Lake was outbid by Bain Capital in a non-binding counteroffer through its portfolio company [[Rocket Software]], but Software AG's board and management supported the original offer citing its higher likelihood to go through and since it would remain an independent company.<ref>{{cite news |last=Chambers |first=Madeline |date=May 17, 2023 |title=Silver Lake submits offer document for Software AG |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/silver-lake-submits-offer-document-software-ag-2023-05-17/ |publisher=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Malsch |first=Laura |date=May 17, 2023 |title=Investors Blast Software AG for Failing to Consider Rival Bids |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-05-17/investors-blast-software-ag-for-failing-to-consider-rival-bids |work=Bloomberg News}}</ref> In June 2023, Silver Lake secured 63% of Software AG.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-06-29 |title=Silver Lake secures 63% stake in Software AG after months-long pursuit |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/silver-lake-secures-63-stake-software-ag-after-months-long-pursuit-2023-06-29/ |access-date=2023-06-30}}</ref> Later that year, Software AG agreed to sell its StreamSets and [[webMethods]] platforms to [[IBM]] for $2.33 billion.<ref name="cio">{{Cite web|last=Sayer|first=Peter|date=January 1, 2024|access-date=September 9, 2024|title=The biggest enterprise technology M&A deals of 2023 |url=https://www.cio.com/article/1309566/the-biggest-enterprise-technology-ma-deals-of-2023.html |website=[[CIO (magazine)|CIO]]}}</ref>

During 2024, the company was reorganized from a stock corporation (AG, "Aktiengesellschaft") to a company with limited liability (GmbH, "Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung"). As a result, it changed its logo and other branding slightly, and now refers to itself as "Software AG, a Software GmbH Brand".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Software GmbH |title=Software AG no longer operates as a stock corporation |url=https://www.softwareag.com/en_corporate/company/software-gmbh-name-change.html |website=Software AG Corporate |publisher=Software GmbH |access-date=8 January 2025 |ref=name-change}}</ref>

Following the acquisition by Silver Lake, Software AG sold or divested the majority of its portfolio, including the sale of Alfabet and Cumulocity to an undisclosed buyer or buyers. In 2025, Software AG announced their intention to spin off the remaining two products, ARIS, and Adabas & Natural, as two separate businesses. The company also announced in January 2025 that Sanjay Brahmawar was stepping down as CEO and four executives had been appointed to lead Software AG's holding company, Software GmbH—Martin Biegel, Martin Clemm, Robin Colman, and Toktam Khatibzadeh.<ref name="divestment" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=Martin|first=Dylan|date=February 4, 2025|access-date=February 20, 2025|title=IoT January 2025 News: Software AG Sells Cumulocity, Telit Cinterion Gets Nvidia Tie-Up |url=https://www.crn.com/news/internet-of-things/2025/iot-january-2025-news-software-ag-sells-cumulocity-telit-cinterion-gets-nvidia-tie-up |url-status=live|website=[[CRN (magazine)|CRN]]}}</ref>

===Corruption allegations===
In July 2017 allegations emerged in South Africa that Software AG made "kickback" payments by entering into questionable commission agreements with a [[Gupta family|Gupta-controlled]] company in the hope of securing lucrative state contracts.<ref>{{Cite web|title =#GuptaLeaks: Another software giant implicated in 'kickback' payments.|url=https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/guptaleaks-another-software-giant-implicated-in-kickback-payments-20170725|access-date = May 7, 2018|work=News24|date=2017}}</ref>
"Software AG [launched] an internal investigation after a media report alleged it had paid kickbacks as part of a wide-ranging South African scandal..."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/germany-s-software-ag-starts-probe-into-s-africa-kickback-reports-idUSL5N1KG23U/
|title=Germany's Software AG starts probe into South Africa kickback reports|date=2017-07-25|access-date=2025-02-20|publisher=Reuters}}</ref>

==Products==
Software AG markets software products in technologies like [[DBMS]], application modernization, [[Service-oriented architecture|SOA]], [[BPMS]] and [[Enterprise service bus|ESB]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www1.softwareag.com/corporate/images/SAG_webMethods_CESB_Developer_FS_May16-Web_tcm16-116560.pdf | title = Webmethods certified ESB developer | website = softwareag.com}}</ref> Below are a few of their products on the market.
* [[ADABAS]] – a high performance transactional [[database management system]]
* [[Architecture of Integrated Information Systems|ARIS]] – acquired business process analysis platform. A free version is available as [[ARIS Express]].
* Centrasite – a flagship [[SOA governance]] application which provides [[UDDI]] as well as governance
* CONNX - Data Access, Data Movement (ETL), Streaming Analytics 
* Natural – an [[Natural-language programming|English-like]] [[fourth-generation programming language]] for application development
* NaturalONE – [[Eclipse (software)|Eclipse]]-based integrated development environment natural applications
* Presto – Self-service, real-time data visualization and exploration tool combines data from different applications to create mashups, which can be displayed on any device.

===Former <ref name="divestment" />===
* Tamino Information Server – Information server based on [[XML]] for the storage, management and transfer of structured and [[unstructured data]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www-356.ibm.com/partnerworld/gsd/solutiondetails.do?solution=4009&expand=true&lc=en|title=Tamino 10.1|publisher=IBM}}</ref> now called ''webMethods Tamino''
* [[Terracotta, Inc.]] – Company behind opensource Ehcache. Big memory, Quartz scheduler are their primary products. My-Channel's Nirvana messaging is now offered as Terracotta Universal Messaging.
* [[webMethods]] – an ESB, API Management, BPMS, SOA enablement, [[Master data management|MDM]] and [[Business-to-business|B2B]] integration
*Cumulocity IoT – an IoT product, providing hardware, Cloud and Edge Services as well as platforms adaptable to the Software AG Cloud
* [[Apama (software)|Apama]] – Platform for streaming analytics and intelligent automated action on fast-moving big data. Combines event processing, messaging, in-memory data management and visualization.
* Alfabet – IT Planning, Portfolio Management, and Enterprise Architecture Software

==Communities==
Software AG uses two main customer communities: the ARIS Community,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ariscommunity.com/university|title=University Relations|date=22 December 2011|publisher=ARIS BPM Community|access-date=2019-03-21}}</ref> for the user group around ARIS, and the TECHcommunity,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tech.forums.softwareag.com/|title=Software AG Tech Community|publisher=Software AG TECHcommunity|access-date=2021-11-15}}</ref> for collaboration around Adabas & Natural. 
In August 2021 Software AG introduced its virtual platform Software AG Groups where developers and customers can connect, collaborate, learn and share ideas.

The Software AG University Relations Program organizes events and features free education packages that are self-explanatory, easy to use and made for remote learning. In an effort to build an academic user group, students gain free access to software, video tutorials and online training with the option to get certified upon completion.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.softwareag.com/corporate/company/ur/default|title=Software University Development, Offer Management Software|publisher=Software AG|access-date=2019-03-21}}</ref>

In 2022, Software AG partnered with the all electric [[Electric motorsport|ERA Championship]] as a title sponsor, bringing their technological expertise to the series, implementing solutions regarding data and utilizing the series as a platform for the company's ESG initiatives.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SOFTWARE AG |url=https://www.erachampionship.com/software-ag |access-date=2023-11-17 |website=ERA Championship |language=en-US}}</ref>

==References==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Software Ag}}
[[Category:Software AG]]
[[Category:Companies based in Hesse]]
[[Category:Software companies of Germany]]
[[Category:Software companies established in 1969]]
[[Category:2023 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:Darmstadt]]
[[Category:German companies established in 1969]]