Microsoft splashes $1.2bn on business social network Yammer

By Sarah Shearman, marketingmagazine.co.uk, Tuesday, 26 June 2012 09:00AM

Microsoft has acquired corporate social networking company Yammer, for $1.2bn (£769m), which it intends to integrate with Office and Skype, once the deal has been approved.

Steve Ballmer: chief executive of Microsoft

Yammer launched in 2008. The service allows companies to set up private social networks for their employees. It now has five million members and employs 85 staff.

Yammer will be integrated into Microsoft products, including Microsoft Dynnamics, Office 365, Skype and Sharepoint.

It has not disclosed whether there will be personnel changes at the business if the deal, which is subject to regulatory approval, goes through.

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

Last week Microsoft unveiled its first family of tablet devices, dubbed Surface, which will run on its new Windows 8 operating system, stepping up competition with Apple.

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This article was first published on marketingmagazine.co.uk