Why Does Dassault Need Netvibes?

February 23, 2012

Enterprise Irregulars reports, “Cloud Wars Heating up: Oracle : Taleo, Dassault Systèmes : Netvibes.” Writer Michael Fauscette examines the potential impact of two recent acquisitions. Oracle has snapped up the cloud-based employee management vendor Taleo, while Dassault Systèmes has bought Netvibes, a dashboard specialist.

Most eyes are on the much larger Oracle-Taleo deal, and the article thoroughly explores that development. However, Fauscette is more interested in the smaller matter of Dassault and Netvibes. We are, too. The write up notes:

“I think this acquisition is an interesting tell to a strategic move by Dassault to reposition as a broader innovation platform. Today Dassault is securely positioned in the product engineering and manufacturing world, but product development is under pressure to become more social and to drive more innovation.”

We’re confused. We thought that Dassault property Exalead offered social-compatible dashboard functionality. Is there an issue with existing technology? Or is Dassault doing the IBM dance of just buying stuff and hoping revenue will follow? Perhaps Inforbix, an ArnoldIT client, is putting pressure on the old-line French firm? Instead of innovating, Dassault is doing what ageing companies do to get new ideas: Buy them. More may be needed. Inforbix’ technology is quite promising and, in my opinion, truly innovative.

Cynthia Murrell, February 23, 2012

Comments

One Response to “Why Does Dassault Need Netvibes?”

Aurelien Blaha on February 26th, 2012 5:49 pm

Hi Cynthia,
Great coverage, thanks!
Just wanted to chime in to address some questions you highlighted here. First, Exalead technology is doing great 🙂 DS’ acquisition strategy has always been to target technologies that complement our existing porfolio, not just buying for the sake of increasing revenue or gaining market shares. Moreover, even if we’re indeed 30 years old now, this doesn’t prevent us to innovate. Our social collaboration platform (called 3DSwYm) is a 100% home-made technology. In other words, DS’ portfolio has been a blend of continued in-house innovation AND acquisition of great technologies, such as Netvibes.
To learn more about Netvibes (and in particular how it complements 3DSwYm and Exalead), you may want to watch this interview of Freddy Mini: http://perspectives.3ds.com/design/a-talk-with-freddy-mini-ceo-netvibes/
Thanks again.
Aurelien Blaha, Dassault Systèmes

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Stephen E. Arnold monitors search, content processing, text mining and related topics from his high-tech nerve center in rural Kentucky. He tries to winnow the goose feathers from the giblets. He works with colleagues worldwide to make this Web log useful to those who want to go "beyond search". Contact him at sa [at] arnoldit.com. His Web site with additional information about search is arnoldit.com.