IBM Acquires Data Management Software Company Initiate Systems


IBM has acquired Chicago-based software firm Initiate Systems. Initiate helps healthcare providers and other government organizations manage and organize data across various sources. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

It appears that the acquisition is aimed at boosting IBM’s healthcare offerings. According to IBM, Initiate’s software us currently in use at more than 2,400 healthcare sites, over 40 health information exchanges and multiple government health systems around the world including CVS/Caremark, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare Services and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Initiate speeds the adoption and exchange of electronic medical records by allowing medical professionals to access to complete medical histories of patients quickly and easily. The software also caters to government organizations to help share data across multiple agencies.

Initiate will be IBM’s 30th acquisition in the information management and analytics segment and Big Blue’s 90th acquisition since 2003. Last year, IBM acquired six companies, including Guardium, RedPill Solutions, SPSS, Ounce Labs, Exeros and Outblaze.

While IBM is kicking of 2010’s shopping spree with Initiate, it should be interesting to see the other buyout Big Blue has up its sleeve.