Deal could help New York government databases

New York state and local agencies will have better access to database information, thanks to a reseller agreement between Metagon Technologies LLC and UNIFIED Technologies Inc.

Next week, Metagon will formally announce a reseller agreement with UNIFIED that will give local, state and city governments access to Metagon software. A contract was signed earlier this week.

Metagon, an enterprise data access software developer, has created technology that links older database applications such as Unysis and newer open systems such as the Internet. This technology allows a person to view, modify and join data regardless of the location or platform.

"We work with agencies who have one leg stuck in the old system and the other leg stuck in an open system or the Internet," said Metagon chief executive officer Lance Becker. "We provide the software that bridges the gap between the platforms."

UNIFIED, which specializes in providing network, database and e-commerce services, said it plans to use Metagon technology to fulfill many of its New York state and New York City contracts.

"Metagon's product line is good because many of our clients work on older mainframes, Unix systems and Unisys systems and need assistance in securely bringing data to their desktops," said Tom Eldering, business intelligence practice leader for UNIFIED.

UNIFIED's customers include the New York departments of Education and Health and New York City's Department of Transportation.

"We signed the contract one day and hours later received phone calls from UNIFIED clients. [Wednesday] we'll be installing our software at the Justice Department," Becker said.