Business Objects To Acquire Firstlogic

Business Objects will acquire privately held Firstlogic Inc., a developer of data quality management software and services, in a deal valued at approximately $69 million. The companies said on Wednesday that they expect to complete the acquisition, which is subject to regulatory approvals, in the second quarter.

The announcement marks Business Objects' fourth acquisition in the last six months.

The move comes just two weeks after data integration software vendor Informatica acquired Similarity Systems, another supplier of data quality technology, for $55 million.

While Business Objects is best known for its business intelligence and performance management applications, it also offers a range of data integration and management tools as part of its enterprise information management strategy and Firstlogic's software will complement that, said CEO John Schwarz in a statement. Business Objects acquired the core of its data integration software when it bought Acta Technology for $65 million in 2002.

The ability to offer data quality management tools will strengthen Business Objects' competitive position at a time when companies are standardizing on fewer business intelligence tools, Schwarz said. Data quality management is also a critical element in businesses' efforts to comply with Sarbanes-Oxley and other regulations.

Earlier this week Business Objects, which has been developing analytical applications for vertical industries, unveiled BusinessObjects Trade Promotion Effectiveness Analytics that helps consumer packaged goods manufacturers measure and manage the performance and return-on-investment of their trade promotion and spending. Pricing starts at $150,000 for 100 users. Late last year Business Objects debuted analytical applications for the retail industry.