Software AG recently announced the acquisition of Cumulocity GmbH, based in Dusseldorf, Germany. Cumulocity develops innovative solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT) offering connectivity for networked digital devices and sensors through a cloud-hosted IoT device management and application enablement platform. Embedding Cumulocity’s IoT solutions into Software AG’s portfolio allows enterprises to integrate their IT applications with operational IoT devices – providing maximum ease of use, flexibility and ultimately business value.

For Software AG, the acquisition of Cumulocity is a further step in the expansion of its technology leadership in the IoT area, following the successful acquisition of the artificial intelligence company Zementis in December 2016. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

Based on a strategic partnership, Software AG embedded Cumulocity’s IoT Cloud Platform into its Digital Business Platform software portfolio two years ago. The combination of the Digital Business Platform and Cumulocity’s Application and Device Management technology reduces the complexity of the Internet of Things and allows the scalable and flexible management of networks of millions of devices. Additionally, enterprises can integrate those IoT edge devices with any existing IT application and deploy other Digital Business Platform software products to those devices.

“The Internet of Things and Industry 4.0 are central growth markets for Software AG and for the entire technology sector. With the acquisition of Cumulocity, we are strengthening our technological market leadership and facilitating our customers’ access to the Internet of Things. They benefit from an expanded, holistic product portfolio that combines the data from physical sensors with innovative, analytical software solutions,” says Karl-Heinz Streibich, chief executive officer of Software AG.

“The successful cooperation between Software AG and Cumulocity started in 2015 in the context of a strategic IoT partnership - the merger is a next logical step. We are convinced that we will be able to accelerate our success story as part of Software AG. Especially our partners and customers will benefit from the merger of both companies,” added Bernd Gross, chief executive officer of Cumulocity.

The acquisition of Cumulocity technology completes Software AG’s portfolio of core Internet of Things software services. These are streaming analytics, on-premise, cloud and hybrid – and now IoT device – integration, in-memory technology, dynamic process management and IoT edge device management.  

Making full use of Software AG’s portfolio, enterprises can ideally operate at the interface of human and artificial intelligence. Complementary products for the analysis, evaluation and visualization of real-time, historical and predictive data ensure the optimal use of artificial intelligence in decision making processes. Remote monitoring and the control of machines in production diagnostics or in predictive maintenance are exemplary industry areas of application. 

As well as the acquisition of Zementis, Software AG has announced major, strategic IoT or Industry 4.0 alliances with major corporations in recent months including Bosch, Octo, Dell and Huawei.