Data is the new, critical asset fuelling tech M&As

Singapore

MUCH has been said about Big Data and how it can help businesses. Microsoft's US$26.2 billion buyout of business social network LinkedIn is only the latest validation of how data can boost business growth, and is the motivation behind many tech M&As (mergers and acquisitions) today.

Putting the gains from data into perspective, Ben Legg, group chief executive of digital marketing firm Adknowledge, said that data analytics is no longer just an experimental tool for companies, but a means to faster, better decision making, new product creation and cost reduction.