IBM to buy Rational for \$2.1B
Given IBM's Linux and Java strategy and Rational's Microsoft-centric strategy, this is shocking. According to the press release, Rational will become a separate division and brand (rather than be subsumed by Websphere). However, one must assume that future Rational efforts will concentrate far more on Websphere / Linux / Java than on Windows and .NET. Rational has enough mindshare in the Fortune 500 to have a serious effect on platform choice. There had been rumors about Rational being a takeover target, but I always thought it would be Microsoft to acquire them.