IBM has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Chicago-based master data management software provider Initiate Systems, which marks the company’s 30th acquisition to advance its capabilities in information and analytics.
Initiate Systems provides data integrity software for information sharing among healthcare and government organisations. Its software speeds the adoption and exchange of electronic medical records and enables medical professionals to access medical histories of patients to recognise patients at any facility within a health network.
In combination with IBM InfoSphere software, Initiate software will expand capabilities for information governance and help agencies gain a single view of relevant information to better serve citizens. Up on completion of the transaction, IBM intends to integrate the Initiate organisation with its information management business.
IBM said that the acquisition extends its business analytics strategy, including the range of offerings available through IBM’s business analytics and optimisation consulting organisation which includes a team of 4,000 consultants and a network of analytics offering centres.
Arvind Krishna, general manager of information management at IBM, said: “With the addition of Initiate’s software and its industry expertise, IBM will offer clients a comprehensive solution for delivering the information they need to improve the well-being of patients at a lower cost. Similarly, our government clients will now have even more capabilities for gathering and making use of information to serve citizens in a timely and efficient manner.”
The transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory clearance, is expected to close in the first quarter of 2010.
