SAP snaps up Qualtrics for $8bn in continued cloud push
Data platform expects $400 million in revenue and more in 2018 as it now operates within the German software giant


Software giant SAP has agreed to acquire Qualtrics for $8 billion, just days before the US company was due to go public.
Qualtrics is a technology platform that businesses can use to collect, manage and act upon data. SAP will add the company's XM Platform, which is a system for managing core business experiences, such as customers, products, employees and brand, on a single platform.
The company will keep its leadership structure in place and operate within SAP as normal but said it expects it's 2018 revenue to exceed $400 million now its a part of SAP.
"Our mission is to help organizations deliver the experiences that turn their customers into fanatics, employees into ambassadors, products into obsessions and brands into religions," said Ryan Smith, CEO of Qualtrics.
"Supported by a global team of over 95,000, SAP will help us scale faster and achieve our mission on a broader stage. This will put the XM Platform everywhere overnight. We could not be more excited to join forces with Bill and the SAP team in this once-in-a-generation opportunity to power the experience economy."
At the time of sale, Qultrics had over 9,000 enterprises on its books worldwide, including more than 75% of the Fortune 100. The deal will give the German enterprise software maker access to more than 413,000 customers and a global sales force of around 15,000
"Together, SAP and Qualtrics represent a new paradigm, similar to market-making shifts in personal operating systems, smart devices and social networks," said SAP CEO Bill McDermott. "SAP already touches 77% of the world's transactions.
Get the ITPro daily newsletter
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Future Focus 2025 report - the leading guidance on AI, cybersecurity and other IT challenges as per 700+ senior executives
"The combination of Qualtrics and SAP reaffirms experience management as the groundbreaking new frontier for the technology industry. SAP and Qualtrics are seizing this opportunity as like-minded innovators, united in mission, strategy and culture."
Bobby Hellard is ITPro's Reviews Editor and has worked on CloudPro and ChannelPro since 2018. In his time at ITPro, Bobby has covered stories for all the major technology companies, such as Apple, Microsoft, Amazon and Facebook, and regularly attends industry-leading events such as AWS Re:Invent and Google Cloud Next.
Bobby mainly covers hardware reviews, but you will also recognize him as the face of many of our video reviews of laptops and smartphones.
-
Should AI PCs be part of your next hardware refresh?
AI PCs are fast becoming a business staple and a surefire way to future-proof your business
By Bobby Hellard
-
Westcon-Comstor and Vectra AI launch brace of new channel initiatives
News Westcon-Comstor and Vectra AI have announced the launch of two new channel growth initiatives focused on the managed security service provider (MSSP) space and AWS Marketplace.
By Daniel Todd
-
Put AI to work for talent management
Whitepaper Change the way we define jobs and the skills required to support business and employee needs
By ITPro
-
More than a number: Your risk score explained
Whitepaper Understanding risk score calculations
By ITPro
-
Four data challenges holding back your video business
whitepaper Data-driven insights are key to making strategic business decisions that chart a winning route
By ITPro
-
Creating a proactive, risk-aware defence in today's dynamic risk environment
Whitepaper Agile risk management starts with a common language
By ITPro
-
How to choose an HR system
Whitepaper What IT leaders need to know
By ITPro
-
Sustainability and TCO: Building a more power-efficient business
Whitepaper Sustainable thinking is good for the planet and society, and your brand
By ITPro
-
What is small data and why is it important?
In-depth Amid a deepening ocean of corporate information and business intelligence, it’s important to keep things manageable with small data
By Steve Cassidy
-
Microsoft's stellar cloud performance bolsters growth amid revenue slump
News The tech giant partly blames unstable exchange rates and increased energy costs for the slowdown
By Rory Bathgate