IBM in business analytics drive

Computer giant, IBM has revealed a definitive agreement to acquire i2, a UK-based data intelligence analytics software company, reports the Financial News Network.

The company aims to accelerate its business analytics initiatives and help clients in the public and private sectors address crime, fraud and security threats. Financial terms were not disclosed.

According to the Information Age, IBM said the combination of i2's technology with its own analytics equipment will “help customers uncover patterns and trends that will allow them to more effectively protect the privacy and safety of citizens, businesses and governments”.

It said the acquisition would “accelerate big data analytics to transform global cities”. A spokesperson from IBM explained that this refers to city law enforcement organisations using the technology to combat crime.

IBM has been focusing more of its efforts on providing state and local government markets with analytics software and services, an effort it touts under the 'Smarter Cities' marketing brand, writes PCWorld.

The company is running a pilot project with Portland, Oregon, to build a system to make usage predictions of municipal resources based off of operational data.