November 12th, 2007
IBM takes out Cognos for $5 billion
IBM said Monday in a statement that it has acquired Cognos for $5 billion, or $58 a share. In just a month the two leading business intelligence players have been acquired. SAP bought Business Objects last month and it was clear Cognos couldn’t stay solo too much longer. IBM said the Cognos deal is expected to close in the first quarter.
Cognos brings a lot to Big Blue’s table. IBM can take Cognos and integrate it with its focus on information integration and content and data management. Naturally, IBM will pitch that lineup with its services group. Cognos, which is built on a services oriented architecture, also plays well with IBM’s SOA strategy.
As for the technology buyer, you essentially have two big players now: SAP and IBM. And if you’re a financial wonk you have Oracle, which gobbled up Hyperion.
Cognos CEO Rob Ashe will lead IBM’s Information Management Software division. Ashe will report to General Manager Ambuj Goyal.
Cognos has a few interesting business intelligence applications on the drawing board, notably better plug-ins with Excel and a bevy of Web 2.0-ish modules.
Larry Dignan is Editor in Chief of ZDNet and Editorial Director of ZDNet sister site TechRepublic. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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