(REUTERS) - Cloud software maker VMware Inc said it would buy privately held mobile security company AirWatch for US$1.54 billion (S$1.97 billion) to tap into rising demand from companies to secure the smartphones and tablets used by employees.
While some analysts view the deal as a threat to BlackBerry Ltd, which has long been the go-to for companies looking for security products, others say the deal could spur more acquisitions in the mobile security market.
VMware itself has entered this market recently. Its main business is making virtualisation software, which creates a virtual machine that acts like a real computer. This helps companies cut IT costs by saving on server and storage space.
"AirWatch will be the centre of our mobile activities," chief executive Pat Gelsinger told Reuters. "We are really bringing together the strength we have in PCs and desktops with AirWatch's in the mobility space."
The VMware-AirWatch deal is the third major acquisition in the mobile security market, a business which ABI Research estimates will double to more than US$1 billion by 2015. Last year, IBM bought mobile device management company Fiberlink Communications, while Citrix Systems Inc bought Zenprise in 2012.
UBS analyst Amitabh Passi said the deal will make it more challenging for BlackBerry as it now faces strong competitors and said he expects Google Inc, Apple Inc and Microsoft Corp to look for acquisitions to bolster their presence in the mobile enterprise market.
VMware shares were up 2.3 per cent at US$99.57 in afternoon trade on the New York Stock Exchange after the company also forecast fourth-quarter and current-quarter revenue above analysts' estimate.
BILLION DOLLAR DEAL
AirWatch, founded in 2003, will become a unit of VMware and its 1,600 employees will continue to report to AirWatch founder and chief executive John Marshall. AirWatch co-founder and chairman Alan Dabbiere will report to Mr Gelsinger.
Atlanta-based AirWatch, whose rivals include MobileIron and FrontRange, says it has more than 10,000 customers including United Airline, Renault, and nine of the top 10 United States retailers.
VMware said it would pay about US$1.175 billion in cash and about US$365 million in instalment payments and assumed unvested equity. It will borrow US$1 billion from parent EMC Corp to pay for the acquisition.
AirWatch is VMware's second billion-dollar deal in one-and-a-half years after the company bought Nicira, a provider of network virtualisation software, in 2012.
AirWatch is expected to add about US$75 million to revenue in 2014 after the deal closes late in the first quarter. VMware expects the acquisition to add to adjusted profit in late 2015.
VMware also said it would provide a bridge loan of US$25 million to AirWatch if the deal fails to close by June 1.
Analyst Brian Marshall said AirWatch had raised about US$225 million in funding from Insight Venture Partners and Accel Partners.
"AirWatch revenue last year may have been in the US$125 million to US$150 million range," he said.
BULLISH OUTLOOK
VMware has been adding more enterprise customers and renewing enterprise licensing contracts at a higher rate over the last year.
The company said it sold more licences to enterprise customers in the fourth-quarter, and estimated adjusted revenue rose about 20 per cent to US$1.48 billion.
Analysts were expecting revenue of US$1.47 billion, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.
It said it expects first-quarter revenue of US$1.33 billion to US$1.37 billion, largely above analysts' average estimate of US$1.34 billion.
VMware forecast revenue of US$5.94 billion to US$6.1 billion for 2014.
Analysts expect revenue of US$5.95 billion in 2014.
