(WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) — IBM (www.ibm.com) announced on Monday that it will acquire integrated solutions provider Sterling Commerce (www.sterlingcommerce.com) from AT&T (www.att.com) for approximately $1.4 billion in cash.
The acquisition will expand IBM’s ability to help organizations “create more intelligent and dynamic business networks by simplifying and automating the way they connect and communicate with customers, partners and suppliers both on-premise or through cloud computing delivery models,” says the company.
IBM’s products and services complement Sterling’s business-to-business capabilities and will integrate key business processes through the entire cross-channel solution lifecycle.
These services will give customers the flexibility to manage their networks of business partners through public or private cloud computing environments.
By acquiring Sterling Commerce technology and its large trading partner network, IBM says it expects to deliver new cross-channel solutions to its customers.
“Businesses today are operating in a highly competitive global environment in which lines between actions taking place within and outside an organization’s four walls are blurring,” says Craig Hayman, general manager of WebSphere at IBM. “This acquisition will give IBM new tools to help clients build dynamic business networks that connect partners, suppliers and clients and deliver a consistent customer experience across channels. In addition, the fact that much of this can be done in the cloud will make it compelling to large numbers of our customers.”
Consistent with its software strategy, IBM plans to continue to support Sterling Commerce customers and enhance Sterling Commerce technologies while allowing these organizations to benefit from the broader IBM portfolio.
Following the close of the acquisition, approximately 2,500 Sterling Commerce employees will be integrated into the WebSphere organization within IBM’s Software Group.
IBM and AT&T expect the deal to close in the second half of 2010. AT&T expects to record a one-time pretax gain of about $750 million in the quarter in which the transaction closes.
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