IBM: A MATTER OF RATIONAL SELF-INTEREST

摘要

These days IBM'S software group is hungrier than Tony Soprano on an empty stomach. Since 2001, it has spent about $1.5 billion, gobbling up seven software companies as it continues to move into software and services. Now, BusinessWeek has learned, IBM is ready to chow down again. According to two execs familiar with the situation, the tech giant is in talks to acquire Rational Software Corp., a leading, yet vulnerable, maker of the digital tools used by developers to create Net software programs that run corporate operations. For now, price is a sticking point and the deal could fall through. Neither side would comment. But if it happens, Rational would be IBM'S largest software acquisition since its $3.5 billion purchase of Lotus Notes Corp. in 1995.