IBM completes acquitison of DemandTec

IBM has completed its acquisition of cloud-based analytics software provider DemandTec to boost its Smarter Commerce initiative.

The Smarter Commerce initiative was launched in March 2011 and aims to help enterprises respond to shifts in customers' buying patterns.

The acquisition follows the completion of IBM's acquisition of cloud and on-premise analytics software provider Emptoris earlier this month.

DemandTec provides cloud-based analytics software on demand. IBM said the software-as-a-service (SaaS) products will "help organisations improve their price, promotion and product mix within the broad context of enterprise commerce".

The vendor added that its customers can spot trends and shopper insights using the software analytics. For example, a category manager at a consumer products company could use the analysis to work with a retailer to set a more competitive price point.

"With IBM and DemandTec, marketing and sales executives in retail,  consumer packaged goods and other industries will be able to deliver the best prices and product mix, based on consumer buying trends," said Craig Hayman, general manager of industry solutions at IBM.

DemandTec is headquartered in California and has regional offices in London and Paris.

IBM said 350 DemandTec employees will join IBM's software group as the acquisition is finalised.