More Buys for IBM as Analytics Revenue Jumps

IBM has this week strengthened its fast-growing Business Analytics offering - which includes SPSS, Coremetrics, Netezza and Unica - with two further acquisitions, risk management firm software provider Algorithmics and threat and fraud specialist i2.

IBM's business analytics revenue grew more than 20% in the first half of 2011, a figure the firm says it should be able to maintain through 2015, reaching a total of around $16bn that year.

Over the past five years, the computer giant has now invested an estimated $14bn in the acquisition of 26 analytics technology firms. Research and predictive analytics software leader SPSS was snapped up in October 2009 for around $1.2bn, and web analytics software providers Coremetrics and Unica Corporation a year ago. Analysis and data warehousing innovator Netezza followed three months later. Last week, it unveiled a series of computer chips that imitate how the human brain processes information, combining principles from nanoscience, neuroscience and 'supercomputing' as part of a multi-year cognitive computing initiative.

Algorithmics makes risk analysis software covering credit risk, market risk and liquidity risk, and helps financial companies with compliance. IBM is paying $387m (£239m) for the Toronto-based company, which employs 900.

Terms of the i2 deal were not disclosed. Based in Cambridge, UK, i2's analytical software helps prevents crime and fraud in a variety of sectors and will be integrated with IBM's analytical solutions to help clients collect and analyse data very quickly, spotting connections and patterns in complex data sets.

Web site: www.ibm.com .

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