WSO2#WSO2 Enterprise Service Bus

{{short description|Company providing open-source middleware}}

{{Infobox company

| name = WSO2 LLC

| logo = WSO2 Software Logo.png

| type = Private

| genre =

| fate =

| predecessor =

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| founded = {{Start date and age|2005|08|04}}{{cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sanjivaweerawarana_happy-19th-birthday-wso2-activity-7225707519233417216-s2C_?|title=Happy 19th Birthday WSO2! - Sanjiva Weerawarana|access-date=4 August 2024}}

| founders = {{unbulleted list

|Paul Fremantle

|Sanjiva Weerawarana

}}

| defunct =

| hq_location_city = Santa Clara, CA

| hq_location_country = United States

| num_locations = 11

| num_locations_year = 2023{{cite web|url=http://wso2.com/contact/|title=WSO2: Contact Us|access-date=2 June 2023}}

| area_served = Worldwide

| key_people = {{ubl|Vinny Smith (Executive Chairman)|James Clark (Director)}}

| industry = Middleware

| products =

| services =

| market cap =

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| owner = EQT Private Capital Asia

| num_employees = 900+{{cite web |title=about WSO2 |url=https://wso2.com/about/ |website=WSO2 |access-date=2 June 2023}}

| parent =

| divisions =

| subsid =

| homepage = {{Official URL}}

| footnotes =

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}}

WSO2 LLC is an open-source technology provider founded in 2005. It delivers software and cloud solutions that provide foundational technologies for application development and identity and access management (IAM).{{Cite web |title=WSO2 Home page |url=https://wso2.com/node/23334/ |access-date=2023-05-31 |website=wso2.com}} This represents an expansion upon its original focus on integrating application programming interfaces (APIs), applications, and web services locally and across the Internet.

In 2024, the company was taken private by EQT's fund, EQT Private Capital Asia.

History

WSO2 was founded by Sanjiva Weerawarana, Paul Fremantle, and Davanum Srinivas in August 2005, backed by Intel Capital, Toba Capital, and Pacific Controls. Weerawarana{{Cite web|title = WSO2 Ten Years: It Takes Two to Tango! {{!}} The Source|url = http://wso2.com/blogs/thesource/2015/08/wso2-ten-years-it-takes-two-to-tango/|website = wso2.com|access-date = 2015-11-12}} was an IBM researcher and a founder of the Web services platform.{{Cite web|url=https://www.w3.org/TR/2006/CR-wsdl20-20060327/wsdl20-z.pdf|title=Web Services Description Language (WSDL) 1.1|date=|website=W3C}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.w3.org/TR/2006/CR-wsdl20-20060327/wsdl20-z.pdf|title=Web Services Description Language (WSDL) Version 2.0 Part 1: Core Language|date=27 February 2006|website=W3C}} He led the creation of IBM SOAP4J,{{Cite web|title=10 years of SOAP!|url=http://sanjiva.weerawarana.org/2010/04/10-years-of-soap.html|last=Weerawarana|first=Sanjiva|language=en|access-date=2020-05-12}} which later became Apache SOAP, and was the architect of other notable projects. Fremantle was one of the authors of IBM's Web Services Invocation Framework and the Web Services Gateway.{{Cite web|title = Workshop: WSO2 Integration Platform Discovery|url = https://wso2.com/events/workshops/2013-september-manchester-wso2-integration-platform-discovery-workshop/|website = wso2.com|access-date = 2019-07-18}} An Apache member since the original Apache SOAP project, Fremantle oversaw the donation of WSIF and WSDL4J to Apache and led IBM's involvement in the Axis C/C++ project.

Fremantle was WSO2's chief technology officer (CTO) from 2008-2020,{{Cite web|title = Sanjiva Weerawarana's Blog: Paul becomes CTO of WSO2|url = http://sanjiva.weerawarana.org/2008/04/paul-becomes-cto-of-wso2.html|website = sanjiva.weerawarana.org|access-date = 2015-11-12}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Paul Fremantle LinkedIn profile |url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulfremantle/?originalSubdomain=uk}} and was named one of InfoWorld's Top 25 CTOs his first year in the role.{{Cite web|title = The best CTOs of 2008|url = http://www.infoworld.com/article/2651996/it-careers/the-best-ctos-of-2008.html?page=2|website = InfoWorld| date=2 June 2008 |access-date = 2015-11-12}} Currently, Fremantle serves as a consultant for multiple technology companies, including WSO2. In 2017, Tyler Jewell took over as CEO {{Cite web|title = Time for a CEO change in WSO2|url = http://medium.com/@sanjiva.weerawarana/time-for-a-leadership-change-in-wso2-3bf2e4e5bec8|website =medium.com| date=12 September 2017 |access-date = 2018-05-16}} while Weerawarana focused on the Ballerina open-source project.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Ballerina - Announcing Ballerina 1.0 |url=https://blog.ballerina.io/posts/2019-09-09-annoucing-1.0.0/ |access-date=2023-06-01 |website=blog.ballerina.io |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Sanjiva Weerawarana LinkedIn Profile |url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjivaweerawarana/}} In 2019, Vinny Smith became the Executive Chairman.{{Cite web|title = WSO2 Update: Goodbye Tyler, Hello Vinny!|url = https://wso2.com/blogs/thesource/2019/03/wso2-update-goodbye-tyler-hello-vinny/|website =wso2.com|access-date = 2019-04-01}} Weerawarana returned to the role of CEO in 2020.

A subsidiary, WSO2Mobile, was launched in 2013, with Harsha Purasinghe of Microimage as the CEO and co-founder.{{Cite web |title=WSO2 Launches WSO2Mobile Subsidiary to Focus on Enterprise Mobile Applications and Device Management |url=https://wso2.com/about/news/wso2-launches-wso2mobile-subsidiary-to-focus-on-enterprise-mobile-applications-and-device-management/ |access-date=2023-06-01 |website=wso2.com |language=en}} In March 2015, WSO2.Telco was launched in partnership with Malaysian telecommunications company Axiata,{{Cite web |title=WSO2, Axiata Group partner to launch open source API platform {{!}} Daily FT |url=https://www.ft.lk/it-telecom-tech/wso2-axiata-group-partner-to-launch-open-source-api-platform/50-468341 |access-date=2023-06-01 |website=www.ft.lk |language=English}} which held a majority stake in the venture.{{Cite web |title=Axiata to invest $2.6m in US-based WSO2 Telco Inc for 70% stake |url=https://www.dealstreetasia.com/stories/axiata-to-invest-2-6m-in-us-based-wso2-telco-inc-for-70-stake-9578 |access-date=2023-06-01 |website=DealStreetAsia |language=en}} WSO2Mobile has since been re-absorbed into its parent company.

EQT AB's Asian private fund EQT Private Capital Asia acquired the company for over $600 million in May 2024.{{Cite web |last=Sawers |first=Paul |date=2024-05-02 |title=EQT snaps up API and identity management software company WSO2 for more than $600M |url=https://techcrunch.com/2024/05/03/eqt-snaps-up-enterprise-software-company-wso2-for-more-than-600m/ |website=TechCrunch}} The acquisition was completed three months later.{{Cite web|url=https://wso2.com/about/news/eqt-completes-acquisition-of-wso2/|title=EQT Completes Acquisition of WSO2|work=WSO2|access-date=2024-10-29|language=en}}

Financial

In 2006, Intel Capital invested $4 million in WSO2,{{Cite web |title=WSO2 {{!}} Success Stories |url=http://www.intelcapital.com/success/wso2.html |access-date=2015-11-12 |website=www.intelcapital.com}} and continued to invest in subsequent years. In 2010, Godel Technologies invested in WSO2 for an unspecified amount,{{Cite web|title = GODELTECH INVESTS IN WSO2- Godel Technologies {{!}} WSO2 Inc|url = http://wso2.com/about/news/godeltech-invests-in-wso2-godel-technologies/|website = wso2.com|access-date = 2015-11-12}} and in 2012 the company raised a third round of $10 million.{{Cite web|title = SEC FORM D|url = https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1366380/000136638012000003/xslFormDX01/primary_doc.xml|website = www.sec.gov|access-date = 2015-11-12}}{{Cite web|title = Funding Daily: A truly black Friday|url = https://venturebeat.com/2012/12/14/funding-daily-a-truly-black-friday/|website = VentureBeat| date=15 December 2012 |access-date = 2015-11-12}} Official WSO2 records point to this being from Toba Capital, Cisco, and Intel Capital.{{Cite web|title = WSO2 Attracts $10 Million in Funding Following 220% Year Over Year Growth in New Customer Adoption of WSO2's Cloud and Enterprise Middleware {{!}} WSO2 Inc|url = http://wso2.com/about/news/wso2-attracts-10-million-in-funding-following-220-year-over-year-growth-in-new-customer-adoption-of-wso2%25E2%2580%2599s-cloud-and-enterprise-middleware/|website = wso2.com|access-date = 2015-11-12}} In August 2015, a funding round led by Pacific Controls and Toba raised another $20 million.{{Cite web|title = SEC FORM D|url = https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1366380/000136638015000001/xslFormDX01/primary_doc.xml|website = www.sec.gov|access-date = 2015-11-12}}{{Cite web|title = Open Source Cloud and Middleware Company WSO2 Attracts $20 Million in Funding Led by Pacific Controls, Global Provider of Internet of Things Managed Solutions|url = https://finance.yahoo.com/news/open-source-cloud-middleware-company-113000904.html|website = Yahoo Finance|access-date = 2015-11-12}} In November 2021, WSO2 obtained $90 million in financing from Goldman Sachs Asset Management Private Credit.{{Cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=Goldman Sachs Injects $90 Million Into Low-Code Software Maker WSO2 |language=en-US |work=Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/goldman-sachs-injects-90-million-into-low-code-software-maker-wso2-11636673371 |access-date=2023-05-31 |issn=0099-9660}} In May 2022, WSO2 completed its Series E funding with an additional $93 million investment from Info Edge.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-05-25 |title=WSO2 completes $93 mn series E funding with investment from Info Edge |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/wso2-completes-93-mn-series-e-funding-with-investment-from-info-edge-122052500727_1.html |access-date=2023-05-31 |website=www.business-standard.com |language=en-US}}

= Open-source engagement =

Historically, WSO2 has had a close connection to the Apache community, with a significant portion of their products based on or contributing to the Apache product stack.{{Cite web|title = WSO2 and the Apache Way {{!}} WSO2 Inc|url = http://wso2.com/apache/|website = wso2.com|access-date = 2015-11-12}} Likewise, many of WSO2's top leadership have contributed to Apache projects. In 2013, WSO2 donated its Stratos project to Apache.{{cite news|last1=Avram|first1=Abel|title=WSO2 Donates Stratos to the Apache Foundation|url=https://www.infoq.com/news/2013/06/WSO2-Stratos-Apache|access-date=21 September 2016|publisher=InfoQ|date=24 June 2013}}{{cite news|last1=Mayer|first1=Chris|title=WSO2's DIY cloud Stratos welcomed into Apache Incubator|url=https://jaxenter.com/wso2s-diy-cloud-stratos-welcomed-into-apache-incubator-106216.html|access-date=21 September 2016|publisher=jaxenter|date=25 June 2013}}

WSO2 first introduced Ballerina, an open-source, general-purpose concurrent and strongly typed programming language with both textual and graphical syntaxes, optimized for integration in 2017.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Ballerina - Ballerina Home |url=https://ballerina.io/ |website=ballerina.io}} General availability of Ballerina 1.0 at https://ballerina.io was then announced in 2019.{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Susan |date=2019-09-11 |title=Ballerina Programming Language Revamped, at 1.0 |url=https://thenewstack.io/ballerina-programming-language-revamped-at-1-0/ |access-date=2023-06-01 |website=The New Stack |language=en-US}} In a March 2023 product review, InfoWorld rated Ballerina 2201.4.0 (Swan Lake) 4 stars (out of a possible 5).{{Cite web |last=Heller |first=Martin |date=2023-03-08 |title=Ballerina: A programming language for the cloud |url=https://www.infoworld.com/article/3688921/ballerina-a-programming-language-for-the-cloud.html |access-date=2023-06-01 |website=InfoWorld |language=en}}

Products

WSO2 products are released under the Apache License Version 2.{{Cite web|url=https://docs.wso2.com/display/EI611/FAQ#FAQ-WhatistheopensourcelicenseofWSO2EnterpriseIntegrator?|title=FAQ - Enterprise Integrator 6.1.1 - WSO2 Documentation|website=docs.wso2.com}} Like the Apache project itself, WSO2 follows open development principles and publishes architecture and development discussions.

= Early development =

WSO2's first product was code-named Tungsten and was meant for the development of web applications. Tungsten was followed by WSO2 Titanium, which later became WSO2 Enterprise Service Bus (ESB).{{Cite web |title=WSO2: 10 years and flying high! |url=http://www.ft.lk/article/453323/WSO2--10-years-and-flying-high- |access-date=2015-11-12 |website=www.ft.lk}}

In February 2009, WSO2 introduced the WSO2 Carbon componentized framework based on the Open Source Gateway Initiative (OSGi), designed to serve as the basis for all WSO2 software products.{{Cite web |last=Krill |first=Paul |date=2009-02-06 |title=WSO2 offers open-source, componentized SOA |url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/2530684/wso2-offers-open-source--componentized-soa.html |access-date=2023-06-01 |website=Computerworld |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=WSO2 debuts Carbon Studio as a speedy IDE for SOA and composite applications-Dana Gardner, BriefingsDirect |url=https://wso2.com/about/news/wso2-debuts-carbon-studio-as-a-speedy-ide-for-soa-and-composite-applications-dana-gardnerbriefingsdirect/ |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=wso2.com |language=en}} Version 5.3.0 of the open-source WSO2 Carbon Kernel was released in December 2022 and updated in January 2023.{{Citation |title=Welcome to WSO2 Carbon Kernel |date=2023-03-23 |url=https://github.com/wso2/carbon-kernel |access-date=2023-06-01 |publisher=WSO2}}

= Current offerings =

WSO2 offers a platform of middleware products for agile integration, application programming interface (API) management, and identity and access management.

In June 2015, WSO2 announced its first generation of software as a service (SaaS) versions of its open-source products.{{cite news|last1=Avram|first1=Abel|title=WSO2 Announces API Cloud and App Cloud|url=https://www.infoq.com/news/2015/06/wso2-api-app-cloud|access-date=27 September 2016|publisher=InfoQ|date=3 June 2015}} As of Q1 2023, products include:

  • WSO2 API Manager, a full life cycle API management platform which has incorporated the integration functionality of WSO2 Enterprise Integrator, since version 4.0 was introduced in 2021.{{Cite web |title=The #1 open-source platform for building and managing APIs with ease |url=https://wso2.com/api-manager/ |access-date=2023-06-01 |website=wso2.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2021-05-05 |title=WSO2 API Manager 4.0 Adds Support for Streaming and Event-Driven Architectures |url=https://aithority.com/technology/analytics/wso2-api-manager-4-0-adds-support-for-streaming-and-event-driven-architectures/ |access-date=2023-06-01 |website=AiThority |language=en-US}}
  • Choreo, a SaaS internal developer platform to create, deploy, run, and govern APIs, integrations, and microservices on Kubernetes. WSO2 also offers Choreo API Manager and Choreo iPaaS.{{Cite web |last=Krill |first=Paul |date=2022-03-30 |title=WSO2 launches low-code, cloud-native PaaS for API development |url=https://www.infoworld.com/article/3654897/wso2-launches-low-code-cloud-native-paas-for-api-development.html |access-date=2023-06-01 |website=InfoWorld |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Choreo Internal Developer Platform |url=https://wso2.com/choreo/internal-developer-platform/ |access-date=2023-06-01 |website=wso2.com |language=en}}
  • WSO2 Micro Integrator, an integration engine with a low-code graphical designer.{{Cite web |title=WSO2 Micro Integrator |url=https://wso2.com/micro-integrator/ |access-date=2023-06-01 |website=wso2.com |language=en}}
  • WSO2 Identity Server, which provides identity management capabilities with a focus on customer identity and access management (CIAM).{{Cite web|url=https://wso2.com/identity-server/|title=Identity Server - On-Premise and in the Cloud|website=wso2.com}}{{Cite web |title=WSO2 Named An Overall Leader And A Product Leader |url=https://wso2.com/resources/analyst-reports/kuppingercole-leadership-compass-ciam-platforms/ |access-date=2023-06-01 |website=wso2.com |language=en}}
  • WSO2 Private CIAM Cloud. A cloud-hosted, managed service.{{Cite web |title=WSO2 Launches WSO2 Private CIAM Cloud to Deliver Best-in-Class CIAM Support for Both B2B and B2C Demands – TECHNOLOGY RESELLER |url=https://technologyreseller.uk/wso2-launches-wso2-private-ciam-cloud-to-deliver-best-in-class-ciam-support-for-both-b2b-and-b2c-demands/ |access-date=2023-06-01 |language=en-GB}}
  • Asgardeo, an identity as a service (IDaaS) focused on CIAM.{{Cite web |last= |title=WSO2 delivers next-level CIAM with new release of Asgardeo IDaaS at KubeCon North America 2022 |url=https://itwire.com/guest-articles/company-news/wso2-delivers-next-level-ciam-with-new-release-of-asgardeo-idaas-at-kubecon-north-america-2022.html |access-date=2023-06-01 |website=itwire.com |language=en-gb}}

Operations

As of 2023, WSO2 has offices in: Mountain View, California; Austin, Texas; London, UK; São Paulo, Brazil; Sydney, Australia; Munich, Germany; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Mumbai, India; Singapore, and Colombo, Sri Lanka. The bulk of its research and operations are conducted from its main office in Colombo.{{Cite web |title=Contact |url=https://wso2.com/contact/ |access-date=2023-05-31 |website=wso2.com}}

References