Keysight Technologies to buy Ixia

Keysight Technologies Inc. a provider of software and equipment to the electronics industry would buy US data technology company Ixia for about $1.6 Billion, net of cash.

Ixia makes equipment that monitors and tests networks so enterprise customers can have their data travel smoothly without bottlenecks. Its customers include the world’s No. 1 networking gear maker, Cisco Systems Inc. The deal comes as the increasing volume of data traffic flowing through social media, smartphones and cloud computing tests the resilience and integrity of networks, making Ixia’s equipment and applications more popular with its clients and coveted by its peers.

The combination of Keysight and Ixia brings together two highly complementary companies to create an innovative force in leading-edge technologies that spans electronic design, device and network validation, and application and security performance. Ixia has a broad IP portfolio that encompasses network communications, visibility, application and security technologies with solutions deeply rooted in software.

Additionally, Ixia’s IP includes extensive networking and wireless protocols that will extend Keysight’s position in wireless communications and create a unique combination of Layer 1 through 7 end-to-end solutions that address fast-growing segments of the 5G communications design and test ecosystem.

Cisco to buy AppDynamics

Cisco Systems Inc. has agreed to buy AppDynamics, a US technology firm for $3.7 Billion. AppDynamics was to go public and was expected to be valued at around $1.9 billion, before it was bagged by Cisco at almost double the valuation. 

This makes it one of its largest deals in recent years as Cisco searches for growth beyond its core networking business. This is Cisco's largest acquisition since it bought security company Sourcefire for $2.7 billion in 2013. Legacy technology players like Cisco have been trying to shift their strategy to stay ahead of technology developments, such as the rise of cloud computing, that could otherwise threaten their core businesses.

AppDynamics makes software that manages and analyses applications and it has about 2,000 paying customers, including NASDAQ Inc. Nike Inc. and its new owner, Cisco. AppDynamics, a company that helps organizations monitor applications and find meaning in data, a decade ago. In the nine years since, AppDynamics grew from that initial dream to a successful technology company that today is a strategic software vendor for the world’s largest enterprises. AppDynamics will become part of Cisco's Internet of Things and Applications Unit. Cisco's last large acquisition, Jasper, is also part of that unit.

BookMyShow acquires MastiTickets

BookMyShow had acquired Hyderabad based online ticketing platform MastiTickets for an undisclosed amount. As a part of the deal, MastiTickets will transfer all of its key assets, along with existing cinema partnerships, to BookMyShow.

MastiTickets was founded in late 2014. As an online entertainment ticketing platform, it allows users to book tickets for movies through its website, mobile app and mobile site. The platform soon grew to establish a strong presence in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and currently works with over 120 cinemas. With this acquisition, BookMyShow aims to further consolidate its position and strengthen its footprint.

BookMyShow (Bigtree Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.) was founded in Mumbai in 1999 and launched in 2007. With a reach across 400 towns and cities in India, BookMyShow allows users to book tickets for movies, plays, sports and live events through its website, mobile app and mobile site. While BookMyShow is a leader in the ticket booking space in India, it may have to tread cautiously in 2017 as 'cord cutting' has gained popularity in the country, with more customers opting for home-based entertainment solutions like Netflix and the more recently launched Amazon Prime Video.

While this is BookMyShow first acquisition in 2017, the company has acquired a few other startups in the past, such as Chennai-based online ticketing player TicketGreen in 2013. This was followed by the purchase of a majority stake in Bengaluru-based social media analytics startup Eventifier in 2015 and then the acquisition of Chennai-based fan relationship management (FRM) solutions provider Fantain Sports Pvt. Ltd. in 2016.

Alibaba Pictures to buy TicketNew

Alibaba Pictures, the movie and TV Content business controlled by the Chinese e-commerce giant, is in talks to buy a majority stake in Chennai based Orbgen Technologies Pvt. Ltd, which operates ticket booking platform TicketNew.

TicketNew, founded in 2008, who goes by only one name, charges a convenience fee from users for booking tickets. It also gets a small fee from theatre owners for software installation and app development. Alibaba Pictures was earlier known as ChinaVision Media Group Ltd. Alibaba acquired a majority stake in ChinaVision in March 2014 for $804 million. In China, Alibaba Pictures manages its ticketing business through subsidiary Tao Piao Piao.

The company has invested in Hollywood movies such as Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation and Star Trek Beyond. In October, Alibaba Pictures picked up a minority stake in celebrated Hollywood director Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Partners, with an aim to co-produce and finance films for both global and Chinese audiences. Alibaba Picture’s entry could change the dynamics of ticketing, which is currently dominated by BookMyShow, the most funded internet company in this space.

TicketNew is a technology-led entertainment services provider, integrating movie theatres, film distributors, production houses, events and sports with consumers. TicketNew customer base comprises of ticket brokers, venue managers, affiliate marketers, ticket retail customers, sports professionals, concert and event promoters, and software vendors, among others. TicketNew Box Office Suite is installed in more than 1,000 screens in over 10 countries, covering a wide range from single-screen independent theatres to some of the largest cinema chains in the world.

Freshdesk acquired Pipemonk

Freshdesk, a cloud based customer service software provider, acquired Pipemonk, a data integration platform that works on the software as-a-service model and allows companies to synchronize and move data among multiple cloud apps quickly and easily. For Freshdesk, the Bengaluru based company is the seventh acquisition in 16 months.

Pipemonk serves more than 400 clients globally. Pipemonk cloud based data Integration platform enables small businesses to automate their data flow across cloud business solutions. When organizations move their current applications to cloud, they often face issues of data getting fragmentation across applications. Pipemonk's solution helps a smooth transition of apps over cloud. 

At Freshdesk, the Pipemonk team will work on strengthening integrations between the Freshdesk suites of products as well as expand third party integrations for each of the Freshdesk products, thus cutting down the need for multiple logins, multiple amounts of data entry, and allowing instant and seamless access to dynamic data across products.