IBM announced yesterday the acquisition of Ascential Software, a maker of data-managing software for $1.1 billion in cash.

The purchase comes amid a raging price war between Oracle and SAP AG for the software maker Retek.
Big Blue says the acquisition will serve the integration purpose, combining the Ascential with IBM’s Information Management software division.

"These are two of the fastest-growing companies in the market, with complementary technologies, so the acquisition is a great opportunity for us," said Ascential’s spokesperson Holli Haswell.

"This acquisition complements and strengthens IBM’s fast-growing information integration business," she said.

Ascential Software posted robust growth in 2004, growing its revenue by 46% to reach $271.9 million.
Janet Perna, general manager of IBM’s information management division in Westchester County, N.Y., promised that Big Blue will keep Ascential’s operation in the Interstate 495 technology corridor, and the company’s 1,000 workers will be given a chance to work for IBM.

’’It’s about being able to take advantage of market momentum and getting to market quickly with this technology," Perna said.

After the purchase of Ascential, Eastern Massachusetts will become one of IBM’s largest US centers for IBM as the company had already made three software acquisitions in this area, including Lotus Development Corp. of Cambridge, Informix Software Inc. of Westborough, and Rational Software Corp. of Lexington.