Computer giant IBM is to acquire web analytics software provider Unica Corporation in a cash transaction at a price of $21 per share, or at a net price of approximately $480m, in a bid to expand its ability to analyze and predict customer preferences.

This latest move adds to IBM’s recent acquisitions of web analytics specialist Coremetrics and of market research software and predictive analytics giant SPSS.

Waltham, Massachusetts-headquartered Unica has a staff of 500 based across its global network of offices. The firm provides enterprise marketing software for customer and web analytics for clients in a wide range of industries including financial services, insurance, retail, telecoms, travel and hospitality.

Unica software will complement the capabilities of IBM's Business Analytics and Optimization Consulting organization – a team of 5,000 consultants and a network of analytics solution centers, backed by an overall investment of more than $11 bn in acquisitions in the last five years.

‘Unica's focus is to help our customers deliver marketing messages so relevant that they are perceived as a service to our clients' customers,’ said Unica co-founder and CEO Yuchun Lee. ‘Together with IBM, we will bring our leading enterprise marketing management solutions to a wider set of customers worldwide and with a much broader, more comprehensive portfolio.’

The acquisition, which is subject to Unica shareholder approval, regulatory clearances and other customary closing conditions, is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Web sites: www.ibm.com and www.unica.com .

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