IBM Snags AT&T’s Sterling Commerce for $1.4B

IBM has opened up its wallet to acquire Sterling Commerce from AT&T for $1.4 billion as it looks to build out its WebSphere business.

Through the all-cash deal, IBM hopes to help its clients build more effective business networks, improving the communication across partners, customers and suppliers.

CIO Update has the story on IBM’s acquisition of Sterling Commerce, and the company’s plans to soup up its WebSphere division.

IBM plans to acquire Sterling Commerce from AT&T for $1.4 billion in cash — a deal that Big Blue is betting will augment its capabilities in software integration and other key areas.

“The addition of Sterling to IBM will substantially advance our ability to help clients to create more agile business networks,” Craig Hayman, general manager of IBM’s Software Group’s WebSphere business, said during a call with reporters. “What this means is: improve the way they connect and communicate with their partners, customers and suppliers.” Sterling Commerce develops business-to-business integration software and has over 18,000 customers. Pending the close of the deal, the plan is for Sterling Commerce to be folded into IBM’s (NYSE:IBM) WebSphere division, where it will build out an end-to-end commerce enablement and business insight platform.

Read the full story at CIO Update:


IBM to Buy Sterling Commerce