IBM and Informix Corp. have agreed to IBM acquiring the assets of Informix Software -- Informix's database business -- in a cash transaction valued at $1 billion.

The acquisition is subject to Informix shareholder and regulatory approvals, and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2001.

The acquisition strengthens IBM in the fast-growing distributed database business, a priority for IBM, whose distributed database revenue increased 36 percent year-to-year in the first quarter of 2001.

"Customers are aggressively investing in data management software because data collection, storage and use are at the core of a successful e-business," said Sam Palmisano, president and chief operating officer of IBM. "This acquisition of Informix allows IBM to bring the benefits of leadership database technologies to more customers faster."

Informix Software is a leading provider of database management systems for data warehousing, business intelligence and transaction processing. With an installed base of more than 100,000 customers worldwide, Informix delivers high-performance database systems to customers in retail, financial services, government, healthcare, manufacturing, media and publishing, telecommunications and other businesses. Key Informix customers include Verizon, Deutsche Telekom, Sears and Sabre.

Once the acquisition is completed, IBM will:

Integrate Informix database business operations and personnel into the existing IBM Software data management division led by Janet Perna, general manager.

Market and sell Informix's database products worldwide through an integrated IBM and Informix sales force.

Maintain existing relationships with Informix customers and business partners, including support for and updating of current Informix products.

"The acquisition by IBM is good news for Informix Software's database customers, partners, employees and stockholders," said Peter Gyenes, chairman and chief executive officer, Informix Corp. "IBM offers the global resources, investment protection, support and technology leadership our customers and partners need for the future, as well as exciting opportunities for our employees. This acquisition also extends the reach and relevance of key Informix technologies as they are evolved and integrated into future versions of IBM data management offerings."

Informix customers also will benefit from IBM's open platform strategy and alliances with leading application developers such as SAP, Siebel Systems, PeopleSoft, Retek and many others worldwide. IBM intends to integrate selected Informix technology into future versions of DB2 Universal Database, which will remain IBM's flagship database product.

"Informix customers can be confident that their investments in existing Informix products are secure," said Steve Mills, senior vice president and group executive, IBM Software. "These customers will now have a long-term growth path that enables them to achieve the full potential of e-business."

Following the sale of the database business to IBM, Informix Corp. will be totally focused on its other independent operating business - Ascentiala Software. With annualized revenue in excess of $130 million, Ascential is a leading provider of information asset management solutions. The company intends to apply proceeds from the transaction to fund the growth of Ascentia, as well as to return a substantial portion of the proceeds to stockholders through a stock-reduction program. Upon the closing of the transaction, Informix Corp. will be renamed Ascential Software.

Also, IBM and Ascential Software announced a strategic alliance to develop and market information asset management solutions based on Ascential's DataStage, DataStage 390 and Media360 products as well as IBM's DB2 and related product platforms.