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The New York Times | 7. October 2009
Compuware to Buy Gomez Inc. For $295 Million Cash
_DETROIT (AP) -- Compuware Corp., whose software improves the performance
of computer programs used by companies to run their operations, said Wednesday
it is acquiring Gomez Inc. for $295 million in cash.
_The deal, which is expected to close in November, gives Compuware a company that
manages, tests and measures the performance of corporate Web sites and mobile
applications.
_Compuware Chief Operating Officer Bob Paul said Compuware will have a well-rounded
suite of services for corporate computer systems as well as on the Web and mobile,
which is key as businesses move critical applications onto the Internet.
_"Businesses are experiencing a revolution that demands they move their most important
applications beyond the firewall," he said in a conference call with analysts.
_He said it's critical for companies to manage both internal and Web and mobile
applications well for a seamless experience for customers.
_It can be a complicated task. A bank customer who wants to check her account balance
using her iPhone is served by several companies. Content delivery networks from several
locations bring the bank's Web page to her phone. She logs in, and an identity verification
company takes the information, sends it to the bank's data center, and retrieves the account
data. The information travels from the cell tower to the phone company's network, to an
Internet service provider and the Internet backbone and back.
_"All applications in our eyes are ultimately moving to leverage the Internet," said Jaime
Ellertson, Gomez's CEO, during the analysts' conference call.
_Compuware said the acquisition is expected to dilute earnings for fiscal 2010 due
to an amortization charge.
_Privately held Gomez, based in Lexington, Mass., employs 272 people worldwide. Gomez
executives and the rest of the employees are expected to stay with Compuware. In 2008,
Gomez recorded revenue of $47 million. Its clients include Google Inc. and Facebook.
_Detroit-based Compuware serves 46 of the top 50 Fortune 500 companies. The stock rose 12 cents,
or 1.7 percent, to close at $7.30 Wednesday.
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