According to IBM: “In addition to its ability to detect and resolve issues, The Now Factory’s software helps communications service providers (CSPs) better understand how a subscriber interacts with cloud-based services, such as mobile applications.

“For example, a CSP can use The Now Factory’s software to analyse customer usage of 3G and 4G LTE data services and identify high-volume pre-paid subscribers. This can result in a targeted campaign to convert high-volume pre-paid subscribers into post-paid accounts.”  

IBM says the acquisition is part of its long-term strategy to “support strong expected growth in big data and analytics, an area of IBM’s business that is expected to reach $20bn in revenue by 2015”.

The acquisition is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2013, after which The Now Factory will become part of IBM’s Software Group.  

Tom Morrisroe, CEO of The Now Factory, said: “As part of IBM, we can now extend our technologies to a broader range of clients to help them uncover new, untapped growth opportunities, and achieve tangible business value from big data and analytics.”