IBM has announced the closing of its acquisition of Sterling Commerce.  The company expands IBM's ability to help clients accelerate their interactions with customers, partners and suppliers through dynamic business networks using either on-premise or cloud delivery models.

Organizations are looking for ways to create more intelligent networks of business partners, customers and suppliers in order to enhance efficiency and profitability.  These interactions are increasing dramatically due to the proliferation of electronic business transactions, from banks exchanging transaction data and manufacturers sourcing raw materials electronically, to retailers automating stock replenishment and managing orders online.

Sterling Commerce provides software for cross-channel commerce and integration of customer, partner and supplier networks across a wide range of industries.  The combination of IBM and Sterling Commerce enables the integration of key business processes across channels and among trading partners – from marketing and selling to order management and fulfillment.

"We now offer a complete platform for multi-enterprise business transactions," said Craig Hayman, general manager, IBM Industry Solutions.  "In combination with IBM's existing offerings, Sterling Commerce, Coremetrics and Unica are expanding IBM's ability to help companies automate, manage and accelerate core business processes across marketing, selling, order management and fulfillment."

With the acquisition of Sterling Commerce, IBM advances its ability to help clients integrate and automate business processes, resulting in improved demand generation, customer experience and fulfillment.  Using the combined technologies of IBM and Sterling Commerce, clients have the flexibility to manage these processes – and their networks of business partners – through public or private cloud computing environments.

In addition to enhancing IBM's integration and commerce offerings, Sterling Commerce software also complements IBM's industry-focused software including the company's frameworks supporting the retail, manufacturing, communications, health care and banking industries.

The acquisition builds on IBM's growing portfolio of industry software solutions designed to help companies automate, manage and accelerate core business processes across marketing, selling, ordering and fulfillment.  IBM's recent acquisitions of Sterling Commerce and Coremetrics and the intended acquisition of Unica will enhance the company's ability to support clients' needs in this growing market.