Microsoft Acquires B2B Data Analytics Specialist Metanautix

Microsoft has acquired Palo Alto-based business data analytics firm Metanautix, to provide clients with a 'unified view' of all their data. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Founded in 2012 by former Microsoft software engineer Theo Vassilakis (pictured), the Metanautix platform enables organizations to bring together all disparate data, and draw insights from that data, without the need for it to be moved into a centralized system. Using the system, firms can gain access to structured, unstructured, and semi-structured data - regardless of type, size, or location.

Microsoft says it plans to integrate the Metanautix technology into its own data platform, including the SQL Server and the Cortana Analytics Suite, while explaining that the acquisition is an important part of its ongoing efforts to help customers realize the value of their data.

Commenting on the deal, Vassilakis said: 'Metanautix started out with the vision to integrate the data supply chain by building the Quest data compute engine that enables scalable SQL access to any data. Three years in, we can take this work to the next level by joining forces with Microsoft. We look forward to being part of Microsoft's important efforts with Azure and SQL Server to give enterprise customers a unified view of all of their data across cloud and on-premises systems.'

Web sites: www.microsoft.com and www.metanautix.com .