Looking back on the past 45 years, I am both amazed and proud of how far DataVantage has come. When I invented the first-ever multi-dimensional application development testing and data management software tool on the mainframe, my goal was to simplify the complexities of managing the IMS hierarchical databases supported by some of my consulting clients. Today, this invention has been utilized by thousands of organizations globally.
How Did DataVantage for IMS originate?
When I began my career as a programmer in the late 1960s, data processing looked very different. Businesses relied heavily on mainframe IMS environments. While IMS was groundbreaking for its time, it also presented some major challenges. Navigating hierarchical structured databases was a cumbersome task
Programmers like myself were forced to rely on paper diagrams to understand the layers buried within the data. The process was slow, error-prone and frustrating. In some ways it was guesswork. I knew there had to be a better way to handle IMS database testing.
When consulting in the 1970s, I realized we needed to create test data to parallel the application logic. However, the program that came with IMS, DLTO, lacked the power to do this because it was two-dimensional. Developers were receiving error messages in response to calls they were using and, further, we needed to be able to compare data between databases to see how the logic was working in the application programs.
My solution was to develop a product with the larger goal of creating an easy-to-use catalog for IMS that could be created from COBOL copy books or manually from printed programs making the process straightforward, multi-dimensional, and more intuitive. My idea was to employ commands and instructions that paralleled IMS itself.
The most important product design decision I made was to build DataVantage for IMS as an “application program.” Moving forward, we understood that IBM might change databases, operating systems, or even the mainframe itself. Applications were different, however, and I was confident that IBM would make sure they would persist throughout time. That’s why many versions of DataVantage for IMS that were sold in the 1980s are still running today.
Adapting Through Time
Innovation is not static. The world changes, and successful companies evolve with it. I’ve always believed that listening to our customers is key to staying relevant. Over the decades, we’ve expanded our offerings into other areas of enterprise software, as well as distributed computing environments.
Today, our suite of DataVantage software solutions helps organizations efficiently view, edit, copy, manage, migrate, scramble, mask, and de-identify sensitive data across various database environments
Each of these additions to our portfolio came from identifying a need. Data masking, for example, rose as a critical capability for protecting businesses from data breaches. Expanding into this space meant not just meeting customer expectations, but exceeding them, with tools that were secure, reliable, and easy to use.
Another reality of today’s computing environments is that many of our clients work through third-party outsourcers. This adds complexity, but it also reaffirms the value of creating flexible solutions. By ensuring our tools can integrate seamlessly into diverse workflows, we’ve been able to maintain strong partnerships with both end-users and their outsourcing providers.
Remaining Relevant Today
DataVantage’s legacy remains a core part of our identity, but it’s never just about the past. What we began over four decades ago remains just as relevant today because we’ve consistently evolved alongside our clients’ needs. We’ve maintained our position as a trusted provider of data management tools and as experts in data masking and security.
This isn’t just about building new features; it’s about communicating our value clearly and ensuring our clients understand that we’re here to solve their problems, now and in the future.
A Legacy of Innovation
Reflecting on this journey, I am reminded that what started as an effort to solve a personal frustration has turned into a legacy I am immensely proud of. Innovation, practicality, and a commitment to solving real-world problems have defined us from the beginning and will continue to define us in the years to come.
For more than 45 years, hundreds of Fortune 500 and Global 1000 companies across industries such as finance, healthcare, government, education, and retail have trusted us to manage and protect their data. I invite you to join us on this ongoing journey. Whether you’re navigating IMS database solutions or tackling modern challenges like data security and compliance or AI, DataVantage has the experience and tools to guide you every step of the way
