Microsoft to buy ProClarity

Lora Volkert

IDAHO BUSINESS REVIEW

Microsoft Corp. plans to acquire Boise-based ProClarity Corp., which makes business intelligence software, for an undisclosed cash sum, the companies announced last week.

Employment will not be significantly affected at ProClarity, said ProClarity Chief Financial Officer Phil &#160Bradley. The company employs 105 people in Boise and 140 worldwide. ProClarity’s operations will remain in Boise, but will take on the Microsoft name and operate as a subsidiary of the Redmond, Wash.-based software giant.

If approved, the transaction will probably be completed in mid-May, Bradley said.

ProClarity CEO Bob Lokken will have a key role in the new subsidiary, but his title and responsibilities are still being worked out, Bradley added.

Idaho will benefit from having a significant Microsoft operation, Bradley said, and ProClarity will gain a larger market for its products and services and expanded career opportunities for its employees.

The acquisition builds on Microsoft’s recent expansion of its offerings in business intelligence technology, which makes data from financial information to customer demographics to quality control statistics accessible to decision-makers to help them form tailored business strategies.

Last year, Microsoft introduced the SQL Server 2005, a data management and analysis server. ProClarity provides the most commonly used third party software for the server’s data analysis component. Microsoft plans to release a 2007 version of Microsoft Office with business intelligence features in Excel and SharePoint, which ProClarity’s software would also integrate with.

The acquisition of ProClarity will deepen Microsoft’s investment in business intelligence, Microsoft officials said.

“ProClarity has been a valued Microsoft partner for many years, with a strong R&D organization, more than 1,200 mutual customers and a sales force that already works closely with ours,” Jeff Raikes, president of the business division at Microsoft, said in a statement.

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