IBM (News - Alert) business analytics software helps a company apply analytics to decision-making, anytime, anywhere. Business analytics assists a company to identify underlying trends and patterns allowing them to predict and shape events and improve outcomes. Not only can the company drive more top-line growth and control costs, but it can also pinpoint risks that could derail its plans and take timely corrective action.

Looking to strengthen its business analytics portfolio, the company recently acquired Varicent Software Incorporated, a provider of analytics software for compensation and sales performance management. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

To enable quota planning, compensation, sales assignments, managing quotas and insights into sales activities, Varicent software provides a platform to companies in a variety of industries including banking, telecommunications, insurance and retail. The software is special, and it takes what is conventionally a very demanding labor process, and automates and combines all aspects of sales, client and financial performance management across the enterprise, the company stated in a press release.

“Varicent advances IBM's efforts to deliver analytics directly into the hands of front line employees, helping them uncover new ways to remain competitive and stay ahead of increasing demand," said Les Rechan, IBM General Manager, Business Analytics. "The combination of Varicent's software and IBM's deep analytics expertise delivers a comprehensive approach to managing sales performance, allowing clients to make more informed decisions faster.”

Recently, TMC (News - Alert) reported that the company’s first female CEO, Ginni Rometty, is on a mission to bring more women professionals in India back to the workforce. The company has come up with various initiatives for women, which includes women only walk-in interviews, those who have taken a career break and wish to return, and a program to facilitate female alumni to continue to contribute to projects in IBM.