SAP Snaps Up Sybase for $5.8bn

In the US, management software giant SAP has acquired Sybase, which develops mobile software to manage and analyze information for business intelligence. The deal is valued at $5.8 bn.

Based in California, Sybase provides mobile data management and embedded databases, as well as reporting, predictive/quantitative analytics and business intelligence to help clients improve their business performance.

SAP says that the acquisition will help clients deliver information and insight in real-time to business consumers wherever they work.

Additionally, Sybase will bring its analytics expertise, which was built in the financial sector, to customers in other industries, markets and product areas in which SAP has a complementary, strong presence.

The all-cash offer of $65 per share for all outstanding shares in Sybase represents a 44% premium over the firm's three-month average stock price. The transaction will be funded by SAP's cash and a €2.75bn loan facility.

Sybase's Board of Directors has unanimously approved the transaction, which first requires approval by the relevant antitrust authorities.

'With this transaction, SAP will make available its market-leading solutions to hundreds of millions of mobile users,' stated Bill McDermott, co-CEO of SAP. 'This is a game-changing transaction for SAP and Sybase customers, who will be better able to connect their employees with key functionality and information from anywhere and make it easier for companies to make faster, more informed business decisions in real time.'

Sybase will operate as a standalone unit under the name 'Sybase, an SAP Company', and its management team will continue to run the business.

Sybase CEO John Chen says that SAP's technology combined with his firm's database technology will 'revolutionize' how analytic applications are built. 'The combined SAP/Sybase will be able to provide a software that enables companies to transform their businesses in an increasingly data-, consumer- and mobile-centric world,' he added.

Web sites: www.sap.com and www.sybase.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.

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