Microsoft has acquired robotic process automation (RPA) company Softomotive. The move was reported earlier this month by Bloomberg, but only confirmed yesterday. The cost of the deal is not yet known.
The acquisition allows Microsoft to integrate Softomotive’s WinAutomation platform—which helps users automate repetitive computer tasks—with its own Power Automate offering. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella lauded the chance to add WinAutomation “to legacy apps and services.”
Softomotive’s second flagship product, ProcessRobot, assists in server-based RPA development. Its future in Microsoft’s suite has not yet been announced.
London-headquartered Softomotive was founded in 2005 by Greek duo Argyris Kaninis and Marios Stavropolous. It boasts 9,000 customers, and has been backed by $25 million of VC money. Microsoft’s purchase is reckoned to be the largest-ever for a Greek-owned tech firm.
“One of our most distinguishing characteristics, and an indelible part of our DNA, is an unswerving commitment to usability,” said Stavropoulos. “We have always believed in the notion of citizen developers and, since less than two percent of the world population can write code, we believe the greatest potential for both process improvement and overall innovation comes from business end users.”