04/15/2008

StrikeIron, Inc., a specialist in delivering data over the Internet, today announced its significant growth as the demand for quality data in the enterprise has increased. In the first quarter of 2008, StrikeIron reportedly added more than 250 new customers bringing its total customer base to 1,500 and grew revenue by 234 percent over first quarter 2007 figures.

David Linthicum took the helm as company CEO in early April. According to a release, Linthicum will be responsible for continuing to drive the company’s leadership position as the frontrunner in delivering critical Web services and data, on demand, for the emerging next-generation Internet. Bob Brauer remains as president and co-founder and will continue to lead the day-to-day operations of StrikeIron.

"As an industry thought leader and visionary, Dave’s addition to the StrikeIron team helps us take the appropriate steps to deliver on the promise of Service Oriented Architecture via the Web and building the foundation for Web 2.0 applications with our managed Web services platform. We are confident that under Dave's leadership, StrikeIron is well-positioned to go to the next level," said Brauer.

ebizQ received the following additional details:

"Our growth indicates that the market is reaching its tipping point. StrikeIron is poised to deliver high business value services to companies looking to innovate their businesses," said Linthicum. "StrikeIron brings the value of the next generation Web to businesses today, and they are seeing a huge ROI when leveraging StrikeIron. This trend will only accelerate in 2008."

As the most advanced provider of delivering Data as a Service StrikeIron removes the complexity involved in managing diverse data formats from multiple data sources and provides data consistently and in exactly the format that can be best utilized by the customers Web sites, business processes and applications. Developers and business users now have the ability to build core applications by mixing and matching services that are loosely coupled, using the Web as the delivery platform and creating frictionless access to business data critical to running a business.

StrikeIron’s growth can be attributed to the following key industry changes:

• Larger Enterprises Embrace Data as a Service: As more enterprises embrace Service Oriented Architecture (SOA), more data is being consumed as a service by eCommerce sites, business applications and enterprise mashups.



• Expansion of The Web Services Marketplace: StrikeIron has added new services for Business Intelligence, eCommerce, Financial Applications as well as sports-specific offerings from data providers such as Gale, Wall Street Horizon, Midnight Trader and The Sports Network.



• Emergence of Stronger Mashup Tools: StrikeIron Web Services can be easily integrated with any of the following players in the mashup space Serena, Ratchetsoft, Kapow, JackBe, IBM, Dapper and Apatar, making it easier to add and consume data as a service.



• Data Cleansing Applications embrace DaaS: StrikeIron has also seen an increase in its Service Bureau offerings where more companies use Data as a Service for verifying, correcting and enhancing a company’s current records.

”StrikeIron’s Sales and Use Tax Web service was easily integrated with our E-Commerce system, ” said Brad Wymore, E-Commerce Manager of US Playing cards, makers of Bicycle playing cards. “StrikeIron keeps up with the tax information so we can concentrate on delivering the best products to our customers, not spend time downloading and integrating tax tables each month.”

“The value of using the Web as a platform to deliver timely, accurate information to enterprise applications is being realized,” said Bob Brauer, president and founder, StrikeIron. “We are pleased that we continue to reduce complexity, increase opportunity and deliver tangible value to our current customers and look forward to building lasting, beneficial relationships with new customers who are turning to StrikeIron to achieve their business goals of frictionless access to a broad range of data and Web services.”