At the end of July, IBM announced it is to acquire SPSS, a publicly-held company headquartered in Chicago. The deal which is expected to close later this year will expand IBM's Information on Demand (IOD) software portfolio and business analytics capabilities, including the range of offerings available through IBM's recently-announced Business Analytics and Optimisation Consulting organisation and network of Analytics Solution Centers. The acquisition is also expected to strengthen IBM's Information Agenda initiative, which helps companies turn information into a strategic asset.
IBM is expanding its focus on business analytics technology and services to meet what it sees as growing client needs to cut costs, reduce risk, and increase profitability through predictive analytics capabilities, which include advanced data capture, data mining and statistical analysis. These capabilities help organisations analyse trends and patterns found in historical and current data to drive new forms of competitive advantage by predicting potential future outcomes and optimising all elements of their businesses, including product and service offerings for customers.
IBM says that the ability to forecast future trends and spot shifts in consumer patterns or behavior even before they occur can give businesses a competitive advantage in today's economy.
"With this acquisition, we are extending our capabilities around a new level of analytics that not only provides clients with greater insight -- but true foresight," said Ambuj Goyal, general manager, Information Management. "Predictive analytics can help clients move beyond the 'sense and respond' mode, which can leave blind spots for strategic information in today's fast paced environment -- to 'predict and act' for improved business outcomes."
