IBM today announced plans to acquire DataMirror Corporation, a business information firm based in Ontario, Canada, for approximately $161m in cash.

DataMirror provides technology that identifies and captures data that has been added, updated or deleted, and allows the changed data to be delivered to processes, applications and databases.

"Organisations need the ability to capture and use information in real time to help them make better business decisions, better serve their customers and increase operational efficiencies," said Ambuj Goyal, general manager at IBM's Information Management Software unit.

Goyal added that DataMirror's technology would be combined with IBM's information management software to improve real-time data analysis.

At a corporate level there will be integration between DataMirror with IBM's Information Management Software unit.

DataMirror has approximately 220 employees and more than 2,200 customers including Debenhams, FedEx Ground, First American Bank, Priority Health, Tiffany & Co and Union Pacific Railroad.

The acquisition is subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.