IBM today paid $810 million to pick up Sequent, as predicted here. (Story: Will IBM buy Sequent, will Compaq use Merced) The reason, explained a spokesperson, was to extend its grasp in the network server area. The takeover will be through an $18 share swap. For the last 10 days, IBM's share price had been riding high on the rumours. Once the takeover has been agreed by US authorities, IBM will merge the technologies, according to a statement. High end server hardware and equally high end software will give IBM any excuse it needed. Ever since Compaq acquired Tandem, the rumours have been on a roll. ®