Systar SA

In 1984, long before "big data" was a common term, a French company named Systar was founded. The founders, including Ms. Flasaquier and Messrs. Kuster and Beauchamp, focused on a critical, yet often unseen, enterprise problem: operational performance. Their goal was to build software that helped large companies monitor their complex IT infrastructures and business activities. Systar developed what would become known as Business Activity Monitoring (BAM) software. This technology gave businesses, especially major banks, a real-time view into their operations. Instead of reacting to IT problems after they caused damage, Systar's tools allowed companies to anticipate issues, reduce risks, and operate more efficiently. It was about turning a flood of operational data into actionable intelligence. The company built a solid base, serving over 180 clients worldwide, including 10 of the world's 15 largest banks. By the 2012-2013 fiscal year, it had around 150 employees and generated €19 million in revenue. A significant chapter for the company began in March 2014, when Axway, a larger software company specializing in governing data flows, announced its intent to acquire Systar. The acquisition was finalized in June 2014, with Axway purchasing a controlling stake for €34.3 million before acquiring the remaining shares. The combination was strategic: Axway managed how data moved, and Systar provided intelligence on what that data meant for business performance, creating a more comprehensive operational intelligence platform.