By Peter O’Neill

Or …Opalis NOT Acquired By Microsoft


We analysts always tend to want to be the first on the stage with impending news and blogs are a perfect medium for getting information out as quickly as possible. In fact, blogs can even sometimes be just a little ahead of the news it is predicting, and are sometimes held responsible for the said event. That is why financial analysts, when they blog, always disclose their portfolios in relation to the companies mentioned in the blog.


the IT management software and operations communities have been buzzing the last weeks about reports that Microsoft acquired IT process automation vendor Opalis Software. As we have been receiving numerous inquiries on this news item, we went after this story and can now unequivocally confirm that this rumor is incorrect. So, as my illustrious colleague, Glenn O’Donnel will report in another Forrester Blog for the IT Operations professional, Opalis has NOT been acquired by Microsoft. It remains an independent entity, at least for now.


Opalis continues to be an attractive proposition larger vendors seeking to add strong process automation to their portfolios and many have expressed interest. It has also repeatedly reported impressive revenue growth over its short history, so its success probably allows Opalis to command a high premium that no suitor has yet been willing to pay.


It has built several tight partnerships, including one with Microsoft and this rich ecosystem positions Opalis as a viable standalone vendor. Of course, as we report in our market overviews, the onus is on Opalis to continue innovating aggressively to retain its desirability and prevent commoditization. So far it has been successful at keeping its innovation edge. If it slips, so will its valuation and that will certainly accelerate an acquisition.


Regardless of its stamina on the innovation treadmill, we do believe someone will eventually consume Opalis. It is premature to say who will prove to be that successful shopper. It may be Microsoft, but at the moment, that has not happened.

Always keeping you informed!

Peter