Microsoft is continuing its spending spree for mobile first, cloud first companies with the announcement today that it is acquiring Datazen, a Toronto, Canada based “industry leader” in mobile business intelligence on Windows, iOS, and Android. The company produces software optimized for Microsoft’s SQL Server Analysis Services, and as of today is available for Microsoft’s Software Assurance customers to download at no additional charge.
Datazen CEO Miljan Braticevic described the company’s origins, and its emphasis on making a product users would enjoy using, in a blog post announcing the acquisition:
Three years ago, we set out to create a dream BI product. Our goal was to strike the right balance between power and simplicity, while providing a flawless experience on the next generation of devices. Our ambitions went beyond a laundry list of product features; we wanted everyone to enjoy and look forward to using Datazen as a part of their daily routine. It is incredible how much effort and attention to detail is required to produce a single human emotion. But when it happens – it is truly worth it.
Microsoft has been acquiring a number of small companies recently, both to bolster its forays into a more cross-platform world, and also to perhaps give young companies some incentive to produce on the Microsoft stack, with an exit strategy of being acquired by the Redmond giant. Today’s acquisition will not only bolster Microsoft’s data visualization interests, but could help to fuel interest in Microsoft technologies.
No word from either side on the terms of the deal.