IBM Acquires StepZen to Simplify GraphQL API Creation and Boost Business Value from Data

IBM has announced its acquisition of StepZen Inc, a company that has developed a GraphQL server with a unique architecture that helps developers build GraphQL APIs with less code and faster time to value. The move marks IBM’s first acquisition of 2023 and complements its organic development in key areas including integration, API management, data fabric, and data management.

The rising adoption of hybrid cloud has led to data being stored in various locations, making APIs essential connectors between different data sources and applications. As businesses increasingly rely on and create more APIs to power their applications and experiences, GraphQL has become a go-to query language for companies to interact with their data, emerging as a new standard for APIs. By 2025, more than 50 percent of enterprises will use GraphQL in production, up from less than 10 percent in 2021, according to a report from Gartner.

The value derived from a full hybrid, multicloud platform technology and operating model at scale is 2.5 times the value derived from a single platform, single cloud vendor approach.

Founded in 2020, StepZen provides an easier way for developers to build GraphQL APIs. It takes a declarative programming approach, resulting in smaller and more intuitive code, better runtime performance, and faster time to value. It is also highly flexible and compatible with other API approaches, available as-a-Service (SaaS) while supporting deployments in private clouds and on-premises data centers.

StepZen was developed by a team of industry veterans who have made key contributions to database technology including IBM Db2, PostgreSQL, and Apache Derby, with deep expertise in APIs and cloud-scale deployments.

This is the latest example of IBM’s strategic acquisition and R&D combination to deliver the data, AI, and automation solutions that businesses need in the hybrid cloud era. The acquisition complements IBM’s organic development, including new AI testing capabilities for IBM API Connect, which analyses APIs, generates test cases automatically, and reports errors that help improve code quality and developer productivity.

By acquiring StepZen, IBM is positioned to help enterprises build better digital experiences for their clients and get more business value from their data and APIs.  Learn more about StepZen by visiting https://stepzen.com/.

Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

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