From EETimes: Analysts generally praised as a win/win deal IBM's decision to sell its Intel-based server business to Lenovo for $2.3 billion. They agreed that the move lets IBM focus on its higher-margin Power and proprietary servers, while Lenovo extends its market for high-volume x86-based systems that have arguably become high-tech commodities.
IBM's PC server unit posted seven straight quarters of losses as customers increasingly switched to public cloud computing services. The unit posted a $26.4 million loss after taxes for 2013.
Numerous reports had said a deal was on the way between the two companies. Mounting speculation over the past several months had involved Fujitsu as well as Lenovo.
The deal was announced nine years after the Chinese OEM bought IBM's ThinkPad PC line for $1.75 billion. Since 2012, Lenovo has become the world's leader in PC sales, collaborating with IBM in many areas.
IBM said in a press release Thursday that the unit now being sold to Lenovo includes System x, BladeCenter, and Flex System blade servers and switches. It will also include x86-based Flex integrated systems, NeXtScale and iDataPlex servers and associated software, and blade networking and maintenance operations. About $2 billion of the overall price will be paid in cash, and the balance in Lenovo stock.
IBM said it will keep its System z mainframes, Power Systems, Storage Systems, Power-based Flex servers, and PureApplication and PureData appliances.
"With the right strategy, great execution, continued innovation and a clear commitment to the x86 industry, we are confident that we can grow this business successfully for the long-term, just as we have done with our worldwide PC business," Yang Yuanqing, chairman and CEO of Lenovo, said in the release.
Steve Mills, senior vice President and group executive for IBM Software and Systems, said in the release: "This divestiture allows IBM to focus on system and software innovations that bring new kinds of value to strategic areas of our business, such as cognitive computing, Big Data and cloud."
IBM said Lenovo will offer jobs to 7,500 of its employees around the world. It did not say whether any employees will lose their jobs as a result of the sale.
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