IBM與聯想同時宣佈，雙方已進入最終協議，聯想計劃以23億美元收購IBM旗下x86伺服器業務，此舉將大幅強化聯想現有伺服器業務，同時將加速聯想進入全球伺服器市場。
聯想將取得IBM旗下x86伺服器產品線，包括System x、BladeCenter、Flex系統刀鋒伺服器及交換器、x86架構Flex整合系統、NeXtScale與iDataPlex伺服器及相關軟體、刀鋒網路及維運系統。23億美元中的20億美元將以現金及聯想公司股票的方式支付。
售出x86伺服器業務後，IBM將保有System z大型主機、Power系統、儲存系統，以及採用Power架構的Flex伺服器，還有PureApplication與PureData一體機。
IBM指出，雙方的交易奠基於從2005年開始的合作關係，當時聯想買下IBM的PC業務，主要包括ThinkPad產品線，後續在許多領域均有合作。
儘管售出x86伺服器業務，IBM強調仍將繼續從事x86平台上的Windows、Linux軟體開發及投入。
Lenovo Plans to Acquire IBM’s x86 Server Business
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, and Armonk, New York - 23 Jan 2014: Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) and IBM (NYSE: IBM) have entered into a definitive agreement in which Lenovo plans to acquire IBM’s x86 server business. This includes System x, BladeCenter and Flex System blade servers and switches, x86-based Flex integrated systems, NeXtScale and iDataPlex servers and associated software, blade networking and maintenance operations. The purchase price is approximately US$2.3 billion, approximately two billion of which will be paid in cash and the balance in Lenovo stock.
IBM will retain its System z mainframes, Power Systems, Storage Systems, Power-based Flex servers, and PureApplication and PureData appliances.
The agreement builds upon a longstanding collaboration that began in 2005 when Lenovo acquired IBM’s PC business, which included the ThinkPad line of PCs. In the period since the companies have continued to collaborate in many areas.
IBM will continue to develop and evolve its Windows and Linux software portfolio for the x86 platform. IBM is a leading developer of software products for x86 servers with thousands of products and tens of thousands of software developer and services professionals who build software for x86 systems.
Lenovo and IBM plan to enter into a strategic relationship which will include a global OEM and reseller agreement for sales of IBM’s industry-leading entry and midrange Storwize disk storage systems, tape storage systems, General Parallel File System software, SmartCloud Entry offering, and elements of IBM’s system software portfolio, including Systems Director and Platform Computing solutions.
Following the closing of the transaction, Lenovo will assume related customer service and maintenance operations. IBM will continue to provide maintenance delivery on Lenovo’s behalf for an extended period of time, so customers should see little change in their maintenance support.
Approximately 7,500 IBM employees around the world, including those based at major locations such as Raleigh, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Taipei, are expected to be offered employment by Lenovo.
This agreement follows recent announcements by IBM that it will invest more than $1 billion in the new IBM Watson Group, and $1.2 billion to expand its global cloud computing footprint to 40 data centers worldwide in 15 countries across five continents.
“This acquisition demonstrates our willingness to invest in businesses that can help fuel profitable growth and extend our PC Plus strategy,” said Yang Yuanqing, chairman and CEO, Lenovo. “With the right strategy, great execution, continued innovation and a clear commitment to the x86 industry, we are confident that we can grow this business successfully for the long-term, just as we have done with our worldwide PC business.”
“This divestiture allows IBM to focus on system and software innovations that bring new kinds of value to strategic areas of our business, such as cognitive computing, Big Data and cloud,” said Steve Mills, Senior Vice President and Group Executive, IBM Software and Systems. “IBM has a proven record of innovation and transformation, which has enabled us to create solutions that are highly valued by our clients.”
The transaction is subject to the satisfaction of regulatory requirements, customary closing conditions and any other needed approvals. Subsequent local closings will occur subject to similar conditions, agreements and the information and consultation process in applicable countries.
While the transaction is being completed, both companies expect no change in their independent, existing server operations, including customer service and product availability.
這真是太棒了！黑心國的「連想都不用想」，只要用「蠶食鯨吞」的方式，再過幾年，就可以買下整個IBM了！
到時候所有的IBM員工通通去黑心國上班！
