Global vendor strategies - 24/07/06

Microsoft and Atos Origin have signed a strategic alliance to develop and market joint solutions based on Microsoft's Vista, Longhorn Server et Office 2007platforms.

Microsoft and Nortel are teaming up to provide unified communications. The alliance is focused on selling high-tech business communications offerings to corporations.

Amdocs is buying Cramer for $ 375m. This will expand its OSS activities.

Cisco will buy Meetinghouse Data Communications for $ 44m in stock and cash.

Atos Origin bought Banksys (electronic paiement in Belgium) and BCC (electronic paiements management for Visa and Mastercard).