Mertech

What Mertech does

Mertech Data Systems, Inc. is a privately held, founder-owned U.S. software company founded in 1997 and headquartered in Pembroke Pines, Florida, with a second office in Fresno, California. The company specializes in modernizing legacy Windows applications built on DataFlex, Btrieve, Pervasive SQL, Actian/Zen, and COBOL stacks by providing connectivity drivers, migration tools, and API-enablement software that allow these applications to interoperate with modern SQL databases (Oracle, MS SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB) and cloud platforms (Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services) without rewriting application code.

The product portfolio centers on four core offerings: Flex2SQL (ISAM-to-SQL driver suite for DataFlex applications), Flex2Crystal (Crystal Reports compatibility layer), BTR2SQL (Btrieve-to-SQL migration tool), and Thriftly.io (Hybrid Cloud API platform exposing Windows application functions as multi-protocol web services in JSON-RPC, REST, SOAP, Thrift, and gRPC). Underlying technology is proprietary database connectivity middleware with deep integration into DataFlex Studio and certified compatibility across all major SQL backends. Mertech holds Microsoft Gold Competency in Cloud Platform and Oracle Gold Partner status, and maintains an OEM partnership with HCSS for embedded distribution.

Mertech generates revenue through a mix of one-time software licenses, recurring subscriptions (including Thriftly.io commercial tiers), and professional services for end-to-end modernization engagements. The company employs a hybrid go-to-market combining product-led growth (free trial downloads, freemium Thriftly.io edition), direct enterprise field sales for large modernization projects, event-driven demand generation at conferences such as DeveloperWeek and API World, and content marketing via blog, webinars, and YouTube. Customers span healthcare (Cerner, United Healthcare), insurance (TAL), automotive (Jasper Engines), retail (Atacadao, J.Renee), construction (HCSS), technology (CDK Global, Pitney Bowes), and software/ISV verticals, with named engagements in energy billing (Somentec), SaaS transformation (Workshop Software), and cloud migration (Freight Management Systems).

Name

Mertech

Legal name

Mertech Data Systems, Inc.

Website

https://mertech.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mertech Data Systems is a privately held U.S. software company that provides proprietary database connectivity drivers and API-enablement tools to modernize legacy Windows applications built on DataFlex, Btrieve, and COBOL stacks, serving enterprise and ISV customers across healthcare, insurance, retail, and other verticals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Application Modernization Software

NAICS

Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Software Publishers (5132)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Connector/Adapter Frameworks & Integration Runtimes (HDAEACAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Database/Application Data Layer Modernization (DB migration, ORM, caching) (BPAEAFAL), Cloud Data Platforms & Analytics Migration (BPAEACAI)

Keywords

• Database modernization tools
• Legacy database migration
• API development platform
• Application modernization services
• Cloud migration software

Headquarters

HQ city

Pembroke Pines

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Software Licenses and Subscriptions: Perpetual licenses and subscriptions for Flex2SQL, BTR2SQL, and Flex2Crystal database connectivity drivers. Includes support and updates for licensed database platforms.
2. Thriftly.io Platform: API platform with free edition available for development. Commercial tiers support production deployment, API metrics, and enhanced features.
3. Professional Services and Consulting: End-to-end modernization services including application analysis, migration planning, cloud infrastructure setup on Azure and AWS, UI redesign, and mobile application development.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Mertech develops and sells proprietary database connectivity middleware and an API development platform that enable organizations to modernize legacy applications (DataFlex, COBOL, Btrieve/ISAM) without rewriting code. Its products migrate DataFlex and Btrieve applications to modern SQL backends (Oracle, MS SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB), provide Crystal Reports compatibility, and expose Windows applications as multi-protocol web APIs. The company also delivers professional services for end-to-end migration, cloud setup on Azure/AWS, and UI/mobile modernization.

Product overview

Mertech offers a suite of four core products focused on database migration, report modernization, and API development for application modernization. Flex2SQL is the flagship ISAM-to-SQL database connectivity driver family for DataFlex applications, supporting Oracle, MS SQL Server, MySQL, MariaDB, and PostgreSQL. Flex2Crystal extends DataFlex environments to run with current Crystal Reports versions. BTR2SQL handles Btrieve-to-SQL migration for ISAM-based applications. Thriftly.io is the API development platform that enables Windows developers to expose application functions as multi-protocol web APIs (REST, SOAP, JSON-RPC, Thrift, gRPC) for cloud and hybrid cloud deployment. Together these products address the full modernization journey from legacy database to cloud-native APIs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Thriftly.io: Hybrid Cloud API platform enabling Windows developers to transform desktop applications into Web APIs supporting multiple protocols (REST, SOAP, JSON-RPC, Thrift, gRPC)
• Flex2SQL
• Flex2Crystal
• BTR2SQL

Products and services

• Flex2SQL Flex2SQL is a high-performance ISAM-to-SQL Database Connectivity (ISDBC) driver suite that enables DataFlex applications to connect to and run with SQL databases including Oracle, MS SQL Server, MySQL, MariaDB, and PostgreSQL without requiring code changes. It supports 64-bit Unicode, LOB handling, parameterized queries, and native data type mapping integration with DataFlex Studio, targeting enterprises and ISVs modernizing DataFlex applications.
• Flex2Crystal Flex2Crystal is a compatibility layer that enables DataFlex applications to run reports with the latest versions of Crystal Reports (Crystal XI through 2017 and later) without modifying existing report definitions. It targets DataFlex developers and enterprises that need to upgrade reporting tooling alongside database modernization.
• BTR2SQL BTR2SQL enables seamless conversion and migration of applications from Btrieve, P.SQL, and Actian (Zen) transactional databases to modern SQL backends including PostgreSQL, Oracle, and MS SQL Server, with no code rewriting required. It supports Magic uniPaaS applications and COBOL database modernization, targeting enterprises with Btrieve/ISAM-based mission-critical applications.
• Thriftly.io Thriftly.io is a Hybrid Cloud API development platform that enables Windows developers using .NET, Java, and other languages to quickly build multi-protocol web services supporting JSON-RPC, REST, SOAP, Thrift, and gRPC simultaneously from the same codebase. It includes JWT/JWS authentication, API metrics, free-forever deployment, and gRPC support, facilitating Windows application modernization to cloud and hybrid cloud environments.

Quantifiable outcome

• J.Renee achieved 5x increase in sales after e-commerce modernization
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration15 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Accelirate (formerly AutomateWork)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 31 July 2017Robotic Process Automation company partners with Thriftly to enable customers to accelerate their digital transformation. Partnership focuses on joint customer enablement for API modernization.
• HCSS Software and ServicescoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 21 September 2009OEM agreement where HCSS bundles Mertech's ISAM to SQL database connectivity drivers with their construction software products. HCSS is a major provider of software for the construction industry.
• MicrosoftcoreTechnology or IntegrationMicrosoft Gold Competency partner in Cloud Platform. Deep integration with Microsoft Azure for cloud deployments. Thriftly enables Windows applications to integrate with Azure cloud infrastructure.
• OraclecoreTechnology or IntegrationOracle Gold Partner with database connectivity drivers supporting Oracle database platforms. Products certified for Oracle 19c and later versions.
• Data Access WorldwidecoreTechnology or IntegrationDataFlex is a registered trademark of Data Access Worldwide. Mertech's Flex2SQL and Flex2Crystal products provide database connectivity and reporting integration specifically for DataFlex applications.
• Amazon Web ServicescoreTechnology or IntegrationCloud infrastructure partner for hybrid cloud deployments. Mertech provides consulting services for cloud infrastructure setup on AWS alongside their modernization products.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Heirloom Computing: Specializes in COBOL and legacy language migration to modern platforms (Java, cloud) with automated refactoring tools. Closely comparable to Mertech in the legacy-application modernization niche, though focused on COBOL mainframe workloads versus Mertech's DataFlex/Btrieve midrange focus.
• Astadia: Provides COBOL modernization, mainframe-to-cloud migration, and application transformation services. Directly comparable as a legacy-modernization specialist targeting similar enterprise customers seeking to move off obsolete technologies without full rewrites.
• Modern Systems: Offers automated COBOL-to-Java modernization and application transformation. Comparable as a niche competitor in legacy application modernization with similar value proposition of preserving business logic while modernizing platforms.
• LzLabs: Provides software-defined mainframe modernization, enabling COBOL and legacy applications to run on Linux/cloud without rewriting. Directly comparable to Mertech's legacy-to-modern migration approach for enterprise customers.

Broad incumbents

• Micro Focus (OpenText): Large incumbent offering COBOL development tools, mainframe modernization, and enterprise application testing suites. Comparable as a broad legacy-modernization platform vendor serving similar enterprise IT departments, though covering a much wider portfolio than Mertech's niche.
• TmaxSoft: Provides mainframe rehosting, legacy migration, and database compatibility solutions (Tibero, OpenFrame). Comparable as a legacy-modernization vendor targeting enterprises running COBOL/mainframe workloads.
• MuleSoft (Salesforce): Leading API integration platform (Anypoint) enabling enterprises to connect legacy systems, SaaS, and modern applications via APIs. Comparable to Mertech's Thriftly.io platform at a broader, more enterprise-scale level.
• Informatica: Enterprise data integration and database migration platform provider. Comparable adjacent capability to Mertech's Flex2SQL/BTR2SQL at a much larger scale, addressing similar database connectivity and modernization use cases.
• Cognizant (Application Modernization Practice): Global IT services firm with significant application modernization and legacy migration practice. Comparable as a professional-services-led competitor offering COBOL/DataFlex modernization engagements alongside Mertech's consulting services.

Emerging players

• AWS Mainframe Modernization: AWS's managed service for migrating and modernizing mainframe/legacy applications to AWS cloud. Emerging cloud-native competitor that could displace specialized legacy-modernization vendors by leveraging hyperscaler scale and AI-assisted refactoring.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mertechdata
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/MertechData
• Facebookfacebook.com/mertechdata
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mertech-data-systems

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mertech