Cloud software maker VMware said it would buy privately held mobile security company AirWatch for $1.54 billion to tap into rising demand from companies to secure the smartphones and tablets used by employees.
While some analysts view the deal as a threat to BlackBerry, which has long been the go-to for companies looking for security products, others say the deal could spur more acquisitions in the mobile security market.
VMware entered this market recently. Its main business is making virtualisation software, which creates a virtual machine that acts like a real computer. This helps companies cut IT costs by saving on server and storage space.
"AirWatch will be the centre of our mobile activities," CEO Pat Gelsinger told Reuters. "We are really bringing together the strength we have in PCs and desktops with AirWatch's in the mobility space."
The VMware-AirWatch deal is the third major acquisition in the mobile security market, a business which ABI Research estimates will double to more than $1 billion by 2015.
Last year, IBM bought mobile device management company Fiberlink Communications, while Citrix Systems bought Zenprise in 2012.
UBS analyst Amitabh Passi said the deal will make it more challenging for BlackBerry, as it now faces strong competitors. He expects Google, Apple and Microsoft to look for acquisitions to bolster their presence in the mobile enterprise market.
VMware shares were up 2.3% at $99.57 in afternoon trade on the New York Stock Exchange after the company also forecast fourth-quarter and current-quarter revenue above analysts' estimate.
Billion-dollar deal
AirWatch, founded in 2003, will become a unit of VMware and its 1 600 employees will continue to report to AirWatch founder and CEO John Marshall. AirWatch co-founder and chairman Alan Dabbiere will report to VMware CEO Pat Gelsinger.
Atlanta-based AirWatch, whose rivals include MobileIron and FrontRange, says it has more than 10 000 customers including United Airline, Renault, and nine of the top 10 US retailers.
VMware said it would pay about $1.175 billion in cash and about $365 million in instalment payments and assumed unvested equity. It will borrow $1 billion from parent EMC to pay for the acquisition.
AirWatch is VMware's second billion-dollar deal in one-and-a-half years after the company bought Nicira, a provider of network virtualisation software, in 2012.
AirWatch is expected to add about $75 million to revenue in 2014 after the deal closes late in the first quarter. VMware expects the acquisition to add to adjusted profit in late 2015.
VMware also said it would provide a bridge loan of $25 million to AirWatch if the deal fails to close by 1 June.
Analyst Brian Marshall said AirWatch had raised about $225 million in funding from Insight Venture Partners and Accel Partners. "AirWatch revenue last year may have been in the $125-$150 million range," he said.
Bullish outlook
VMware has been adding more enterprise customers and renewing enterprise licensing contracts at a higher rate over the last year.
The company said it sold more licences to enterprise customers in the fourth-quarter, and estimated adjusted revenue rose about 20% to $1.48 billion.
Analysts were expecting revenue of $1.47 billion, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.
It said it expects first-quarter revenue of $1.33-$1.37 billion, largely above analysts' average estimate of $1.34 billion.
VMware forecast revenue of $5.94-$6.1 billion for 2014. Analysts expect revenue of $5.95 billion in 2014.
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