IBM to acquire Worklight


1 Feb 2012

Technology giant IBM has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire mobile software provider Worklight in an effort to expand the enterprise mobile capabilities IBM offers to clients. Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

Worklight is a privately held, Israeli-based provider of mobile software for smartphones and tablets. With this acquisition, IBM’s mobile offerings will span mobile application development, integration, security and management.

Worklight will become part of IBM’s mobility strategy, offering clients an open platform that helps speed the delivery of existing and new mobile applications to multiple devices. It also helps enable secure connections between smartphone and tablet applications with enterprise IT systems.  

“Our clients are under increased pressure to meet the growing demands of a workforce and customer base that now treat mobility as mission critical to their business,” said Marie Wieck, general manager, IBM application and infrastructure middleware. “With the acquisition of Worklight, IBM is well-positioned to help clients become smarter mobile enterprises reaching new markets.”

Shahar Kaminitz, CEO and founder, Worklight, added that in the past year, Worklight has seen increasing demand from enterprises for mobility solutions to challenges introduced by new smartphone and tablet platforms.

“Now it will be easier than ever for our clients to offer secure and connected applications to their customers, business partners and employees,” said Kaminitz. 

The deal is expected to close in 1Q12. Worklight will sit within IBM’s Software Group.