IBM has made its third software acquisition in two weeks, buying FileNet for $1.6bn in cash to beef up its "information on-demand" strategy.

Ownership of FileNet, a provider of business process and content management software, will help IBM address growing opportunities in software, services, new partnerships and industry based consulting, IBM said Thursday.

The deal is particularly tasty for IBM because of FileNet's technology and process experience in the verticals of financial services, government, healthcare, insurance, manufacturing, oil and gas, and utilities.

IBM will combine FileNet's operations with its content management business in the information management unit under general manager Ambuj Goyal, and integrate IBM's business process management and services oriented architecture technologies with the FileNet platform

News of the deal follows last week's acquisitions announcements over Webify Solutions and MRO Software, and is expected to close in the fourth quarter, pending FileNet share holder approval.®

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