Microsoft has been busy on the M&A front recently…
It was announced this week that Microsoft has acquired Parlano, makers of MindAlign. MindAlign is a group messaging and communications platform (built on Microsoft technology) that has gained some tracking in corporate verticals. I am most familiar with it in the Financial sector, where fast global messaging is a critical business tool. Using MindAlign, chats can take place around topics, and have historical persistence – they stay live and can be reviewed or continued as needed.
This acquisition should be helpful in Microsoft’s push into the Business Intelligence space.
And there may be something much bigger cooking as well…
Though no one is really talking, rumors are swirling around that Microsoft may be looking to acquire RIM, makers of the incredibly popular Blackberry family of phone/email devices. Word is that they are nervous that Google may be looking to get into the phone business, and are looking at ways to counter it if they do.
I don’t place high odds on Microsoft pulling the trigger on a deal this big, but I could see some reasons why the might consider it.
If they thought Google had an interest in RIM, Microsoft could certainly consider jumping in to take them out of play. Google does have the cash to pull off a deal like this, and I’m sure the prospect of this happening must scare the hell out of Microsoft.
It’s also possible that Microsoft has come to grips with what a kludge their own Windows Mobile platform is and would like some face saving way to sunset it. (Did I mention how much I dislike Windows Mobile?). RIM is best of breed in the corporate space, and that’s Microsoft’s target market. Of course, even if this were the case, I don’t think they’d ever admit it.
And then, there might be one more reason motivating them.
Fear of an iPhone dominated world…