Microsoft SQL Server database partners SentryOne and Pragmatic Works Software (PWS) have watched each other in the market for several years.
While PWS has focused on the BI stack, SentryOne concentrated more on monitoring and managing the database engine. Turns out PWC CEO Brian Knight and SentryOne CEO Greg Gonzalez explored joining forces roughly three years ago. Despite the potential synergies, the timing was not ideal since both companies were going through significant changes at the time.
Fast forward to present day. The stars have finally aligned. SentryOne is now acquiring PWS to offer depth and breadth around the development lifecycle, shifting the company far to the left and enabling more comprehensive coverage of DevOps scenarios, the company claims.
Financial terms were not disclosed. But SentryOne, which has been growing about 45 percent annually, remains backed by Mainsail Partners, a growth equity firm.
SQL Server Partner Capabilities
SentreyOne's offerings allow partners and customers to monitor their databases, diagnose performance issues, and optimize SQL Server. The company had more than 140 employees ahead of the deal, with team members in Charlotte, NC, Jacksonville, FL, Salem, NH and Dublin, Ireland.
Meanwhile, Pragmatic Works Software of Jacksonville, FL, focuses mainly on data management and performance, Business Intelligence, Big Data, Power BI, and cloud technologies focusing on data optimization and improving the efficiency of SQL Server and cloud management.
An important detail in the deal: SentryOne is only acquiring Pragmatic Works Software and a full suite of PWS products. It sounds like a training Pragmatic training organization is not part of the transaction. The acquired PWS products include:
1. Task Factory, spanning 60 SSIS components, including support for Azure Data Factory SSIS Integration Runtime
2. Workbench, which is a a bundle of the following products:
- BI xPress: Graphical Monitoring and Alerting for SSIS and SSRS; Comparison for SSIS packages, SSRS reports and SSAS cubes; Data Generation for SQL Server databases
- DBA xPress: Data and Schema Comparison for SQL Server databases.
- LegiTest: Powerful Automated Unit Testing for SQL Server, SSIS, SSRS and SSAS.
- DOC xPress: Comprehensive Documenter for SQL Server, SSAS, SSIS, SSRS; robust Lineage and Impact Analysis; Metadata Management.
Executive Transitions, Partner Promotions
Brian Knight, owner and founder of Pragmatic Works and Tim Moolic, Pragmatic Works COO, will consult for SentryOne throughout the integration. Knight will join the SentryOne Advisory Board. John Welch, president of PWS, will join SentryOne as VP of engineering.
SentryOne will allow partners to sell and refer all products, and will soon release joint bundles with solutions from both companies. The company is offering a 90-day promotion for existing S1 and PWS customers.
This is the latest in a growing list of M&A deals involving database partners across the Microsoft and Oracle ecosystems. Also this week, Accenture acquired Oracle partner Certus Solutions. And just last month, private equity firm Madison Dearborn Partners (MDP) acquired Remote DBA Experts (RDX), an MSP that provides remote database administration (DBA) and cloud managed services.
Additional insights from Joe Panettieri.
