IBM to Acquire i2 Improving Data Availability and Transforming Global Cities
IBM today announced a definitive agreement to acquire i2 in order to accelerate its business analytics initiatives and assist clients in public and private sectors address crime, fraud and security threats.
Organizations today are facing increases in “big data” with information and intelligence coming from unstructured sources including social media, biometrics and criminal databases. In making the information accessible to the people who need it, it can be used to anticipate potential problems, make better and faster decisions and coordinate resources to deliver exceptional service to citizens and customers.
The acquisition will extend IBM’s leadership in helping clients harness this data through the addition of i2′s intelligence analysis and tactical lead generation capabilities, which help cities, nations, international bodies and private enterprises combat fraud and security threats.
“IBM’s goal is to better equip public safety officials and businesses with the information and tools they need to ensure safer cities,” said Craig Hayman, general manager of industry solutions at IBM. “The combined capabilities of IBM and i2 will help customers uncover patterns and trends that will allow them to more effectively protect the privacy and safety of citizens, businesses and governments.”
“The combination of i2′s products and IBM’s advanced data collection and warehousing technologies will be compelling for clients seeking to enhance situational awareness and make connections between seemingly unrelated information from oceans of data,” said Robert Griffin, CEO, i2. ”i2′s existing clients will be at home with IBM, a company known for its ability to help organizations make the most of their data assets.”
Government agencies and businesses are attempting to empower public safety officers, analysts, managers, detectives and investigators with industry-specific intelligence analysis and operational insight solutions.