IBM to Buy Two Closely Held Communications Software Companies
Armonk, New York, May 19 (Bloomberg) -- International
Business Machines Corp. agreed to buy two closely held
communications software companies so it can offer e-mail and
messaging capabilities with its Lotus software.
DataBeam Corp., based in Lexington, Kentucky, makes software
that lets users share data and ideas online. Rehovot, Israel-
based Ubique makes software that alerts users to other users
using the same Web page or another online site. Terms of the
agreements weren't disclosed.
The Armonk, New York-based computer maker said it will build
the technologies into its Lotus Notes and Domino software, which
lets business users collaborate by sharing schedules, documents
and electronic mail. Lotus will be able to offer a complete
package of real-time applications, from e-mail to video teaching
programs, IBM said.
''This dramatically expands the range of collaborative
applications that can be built from within the Domino application
development environment,'' said Michael Zisman, Lotus's executive
vice president of strategy and vice president of IBM's software
group.
The companies will be part of Lotus's Communications
Products unit, IBM said. The purchase of Ubique, whose investors
include America Online Inc., is subject to regulatory approval.
The technologies of DataBeam and Ubique have been licensed
by many Internet and telecommunications providers, including
Excite Inc., Lucent Technologies Inc., MCI Communications Corp.
and Microsoft Corp.
IBM rose 2 5/16 to 126 15/16 in midafternoon trading.
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