Information Governance (InfoGovernance) is the specification of decision rights and an accountability framework to encourage desirable behavior in the valuation, creation, storage, use, archiving and deletion of information. It includes the processes, roles, standards and metrics that ensure the effective and efficient use of information to enable an organization to achieve its goals. Information governance should be an element in planning an enterprise's information architecture.

(Gartner Hype Cycle for Legal and Regulatory Information Governance, 2009, December 2009).

An Engagement Area (EA) is an area where the commander of a military force intends to contain and destroy an enemy force with the massed effects of all available weapons systems.

(FM 1-02, Operational Terms and Graphics, September 2004).

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

January 2015: A Quick Merger, Acquisition and Investment Update

Provided as a non-comprehensive overview of over 100 key and publicly announced eDiscovery related mergers, acquisitions and investments since 2001, the following listing (click here) highlights key industry activities through the lens of announcement date, acquired company, acquiring or investingcompany and acquisition amount (if known).
Based on an informal and non-all inclusive tracking of mergers, acquisitions and investments in and around the eDiscovery market there have been over 200 events (merger, acquisition or investment) since 2001. If one simply looks at events on a year to year basis, it does appear that the pulse rate of events has strongly mirrored the market as a whole.
Events were strong in 2014 (just over 30 events in 2014) up from 21 in 2013 and down from the 14 year peak of almost 50 events in 2012.
  • 2015 – 2 Events
  • 2014 – 33 Events
  • 2013 – 21 Events
  • 2012 – 47 Events
  • 2011 – 22 Events
  • 2010 – 19 Events
  • 2009 – 12 Events
  • 2008 – 10 Events
  • 2007 – 8 Events
  • 2006 – 17 Events
  • 2005 – 5 Events
  • 2004 – 4 Events
  • 2003 – 1 Event
  • 2002 – 1 Event
  • 2001 – 1 Event
From an observer’s point of view, it appears that three key areas driving investments:
  1. The need to increase technology/service capability through the purchase of new/ complementary technology.
  2. The need to increase revenue by increasing sales and support infrastructure.
  3. The need to increase revenue by buying access to clients.
Some of the most notable events of the last several years include:
  • Microsoft Letter of Intent to Purchase Equivio (2014) $200M
  • UBIQ IPO (2013) $104.5M
  • Symantec Acquisition of Clearwell Systems (2011) $390M • HP Purchase of Autonomy (2011) $11.7B
It does appear the the pulse rate of events will continue to accelerate, especially in light of the fact that many current providers have passed or are reaching the point where they need to either upgrade or replace core technologies with newer, more efficient capability.
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