IBM makes dual analytics acquisitions

Firm set to splash out nearly £620m on strengthening data analytics capabilities

IBM has splashed somewhere close to $1bn (£620m) on beefing up its analytics capabilities with the acquisition of UK-based i2 and Canadian software maker Algorithmics.

IBM has not disclosed the price it paid for i2, which makes software used by firms to combat fraud, although the Financial Times reports the deal was worth as much as $500m (£308m).

The i2 acquisition looks like a smart move, said Angela Eager of market watchers TechMarketView. “If any topic is hot at the moment, it is analytics,” she added.

Hot on the heels of that deal, IBM also confirmed it had reached agreement to acquire Algorithmics for $387m (£289m).

“Combining Algorithmics expertise with IBM’s deep analytics portfolio will allow clients to take a more holistic approach to managing risk and responding to economic change across their enterprises,” said Rob Ashe, a manager of IBM’s business analytics units.

The twin acquisitions come just days after rival HP announced it was to spend $12bn on buying UK-based data analytics firm Autonomy.