IBM confirms acquisition of Clearleap

IBM has announced that it has acquired Clearleap, the prominent provider of cloud based video services, to boost its cloud computing initiatives. The move aims to empower users to access video from any device at any time and use it as a strategic source of data.

Clearleap will be integrated into the IBM Cloud platform to provide enterprises with a fast and easy way to manage, monetise and grow user video experiences and deliver them securely over the Web and mobile devices. The news is part of IBM’s broader strategy to help clients unlock the value of video as it grows in importance in business. IBM is advancing its cloud strategy to improve the performance and management of this powerful tool, and help clients extract insight from it.

Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

The Clearleap video platform is optimised for massive scalability, which enables clients to ramp up and support millions of concurrent users within seconds to support special events. The innovations have attracted leading brands such as HBO, A+E Networks, the NFL, BBC America, Sony Movie Channel, Time Warner Cable and Verizon Communications, among others.

“Clearleap joins IBM at a tipping point in the industry when visual information and visual communication are not just important to consumers, but are exploding across every industry,” said Robert LeBlanc, senior VP, IBM Cloud. “This comes together for a client when any content can be delivered quickly and economically to any device in the most natural way.”

Clearleap’s video services will be offered through IBM Cloud data centres around the world providing clients global 24×7 service and technical support for rapid problem identification and resolution capabilities. Clients will have the ability to securely share data and content across geographies and across hybrid clouds. IBM says it will offer the Clearleap APIs on IBM Bluemix in 2016 to enable clients to build new video offerings quickly and easily.

“With consumer demand for video growing exponentially, the business of creating compelling and personalised video experiences is booming. This makes the acquisition by IBM, a global leader in technology, a perfect fit,” said Braxton Jarratt, CEO of Clearleap. “As a part of IBM, we can extend the capabilities and global reach of the Clearleap innovations to grow and scale like never before.”