Background - A great product and technology with a few too many product names (blame Marketing;-), but an interesting history. Upstream was developed by a Hyperion Enterprise Administrator working for ITT out of Michigan. He was able to get the technology developed and start a company. Initially the idea was to create a "Finance User" ETL tool to improve data management from subsidiaries. Upstream attempted to partner with all the firms focused in Consolidation, including Cartesis, Cognos, Hyperion, and Infor, among others. As with many great ideas, it took some time to get established, but then hit hard. Before long, the company that drives most of the business with clients that have complex consolidation needs (Hyperion) was selling Upstream to every client.
Acquired - The story does not end in 2006 when Hyperion acquired Upstream. Although the funny names do start. The technology was rebadged Hyperion System 9 Financial Data Quality Management (FDQM), then the nickname was shortened to FDM. Some prospects started to complain that Hyperion sold the data management tool, while it was bundled with other vendors (OutlookSoft uses Microsoft DTS or SSIS for example). However, anyone that has ever used Upstream/FDM knows why they want it -- there is nothing that compares when it comes to managing a detailed, iterative process of receipting and validating periodic packages of financial data from multiple subsidiaries. These days, most Hyperion prospective clients ask for it by name.