Microsoft Corp. snapped up LinkedIn Corp. for $26.2 billion in the largest acquisition in its history, betting the professional social network can rev up
the tech titan’s software offerings despite recent struggles by both companies.
The deal is Chief Executive Satya Nadella’s latest effort
to revitalize Microsoft, which was viewed not long ago as left behind by shifts in technology. Mr. Nadella hopes the deal will open new
horizons for Microsoft’s
Office suite as well as
LinkedIn, both of which have saturated their markets, and generally bolster Microsoft’s
revenue and competitive position.
Mr. Nadella said today’s
work is split between tools workers use to get their jobs done, such as Microsoft’s Office programs,
and professional networks that connect workers. The deal, he said, aims to weave
those two pieces together.
“It’s really the coming
together of the professional cloud and the professional network,” Mr. Nadella said in an interview on Monday.
Microsoft also sees
opportunities in Lynda.com, a channel for training videos
that LinkedIn bought for $1.5 billion last year. Microsoft will be able to offer Lynda’s videos inside its own software, such as Excel
spreadsheets.

wow! a good bid b4 facebook and Google guys