I.B.M. Will Buy a Maker of Data Analysis Software

SPSS makes software to help businesses and governments organize and analyze data to make better decisions, useful tools in a downturn.

New York Times, July 29, 2009 — I.B.M. took a big step to expand its fast-growing stable of data analysis offerings by agreeing on Tuesday to pay $1.2 billion to buy SPSS Inc., a maker of software used in statistical analysis and predictive modeling.

Major technology companies have made a flurry of such purchases in recent years, grabbing suppliers of software that helps businesses and governments organize and analyze data to make better decisions.