Microsoft buys business social Yammer

Microsoft announced a billion-dollar deal to buy start-up Yammer which specialises in social networks for businesses.

Microsoft said that it will pay US$1.2 billion (S$1.53 billion) in cash for Yammer, which will become part of the United States (US) technology titan`s Office Division.

`Yammer adds a best-in-class enterprise social networking service to Microsoft`s growing portfolio of complementary cloud services.` Yammer was launched in San Francisco in 2008 and enables companies to make private networks that let employees communicate Twitter-style while keeping exchanges away from public viewing.

`The acquisition of Yammer underscores our commitment to deliver technology that businesses need and people love,` said Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer.

BdST 1919 HRS, JUN 26, 2012

Edited by:
Sabbin Hasan, ICT Editor