US telecoms operator AT&T has announced it will sell Sterling Commerce to IT giant IBM for US$1.4bn in cash.
According to a press release, the business-to-business unit will bolster IBM’s efforts to help clients strengthen their networks by automating…
US telecoms operator AT&T has announced it will sell Sterling Commerce to IT giant IBM for US$1.4bn in cash.
According to a press release, the business-to-business unit will bolster IBM’s efforts to help clients strengthen their networks by automating communications with customers, partners and suppliers on site and through cloud computing.
Sterling Commerce is currently used by over 18,000 customers in the global financial services, retail, manufacturing, communications and distribution sectors.
IBM sees the acquisition as complementing its middleware portfolio as well as its industry-focused software offerings.
Craig Hayman, general manager, WebSphere, IBM, said: “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.”
Ray Wilkins, CEO at AT&T Diversified Businesses, outlining his company’s focus on networking-based solutions and services, including network- and cloud-based data storage and managed hosting, application and computing services, emphasised AT&T’s ongoing commitment to its strategic alliance with IBM.
IBM and AT&T expect the transaction to close in the second half of 2010, subject to regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. AT&T expects to record a one-time pre-tax gain of approximately US$750m in the quarter in which the transaction closes.
