CenturyLink takes on Big Data with Cognilytics acquisition

CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE: CTL) says it has acquired Cognilytics, a provider of predictive analytics and Big Data services to mid-sized and large enterprises.

This is the operator's second purchase in a week, as CenturyLink moves to strengthen its position as a cloud services provider. It also purchased DataGardens, a specialist in disaster recovery for on-site infrastructure.

Cognilytics has developed advanced analytics tools across multiple industries, including financial services, retail, consumer products, health care, oil and gas, manufacturing, high-tech, and logistics. In its own words, Cognilytics helps businesses "convert data to decisions" through Big Data deployment, management, advanced decision sciences, predictive analytics, and data visualization.

"We are excited to expand CenturyLink's IT Services, Big Data and predictive analytics capabilities through the addition of Cognilytics," said Glen F. Post III, CenturyLink CEO and president. "CenturyLink's network, IT services, cloud, managed and Big Data services, combined with Cognilytics' decision sciences and advanced predictive analytics, SAP HANA [high-performance analytic appliance] expertise, and Big Data solutions, will enable businesses to accelerate their Big Data adoption and monetize their data assets."

Gary Gauba, who founded Cognilytics and is its chairman and CEO, will become president of CenturyLink Cognilytics and report to Girish Varma, president, global IT services and new market development at CenturyLink.

"We founded Cognilytics with a mission to help customers monetize their data as a strategic asset. Our new home at CenturyLink will allow us to carry this vision forward. Together, we will focus on solving business problems and building new comprehensive solutions to provide customers with a competitive advantage," Gauba said.

Cognilytics has received industry recognition as one of the top 100 most promising Big Data companies and won SAP partner excellence awards the last two years.

"Cognilytics has been a long-standing partner of SAP and has been successfully providing innovative Big Data and advanced analytics solutions to our joint customers. With the acquisition of Cognilytics by CenturyLink, we now have a partner that is even more aligned with SAP's strategy," said Bill McDermott, chief executive officer of SAP SE. "We set out to help customers Run Simple and believe the combination of Cognilytics and CenturyLink will further this mission to our joint customers around the world."

For more information on high-speed transmission systems and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer's Guide.