TECHNOLOGY - Feb. 1, 1996

IBM to Buy Software Maker Tivoli for $743 Million: Big Blue’s deal with the Austin, Texas-based maker of network management software is aimed at furthering International Business Machine Corp.’s commitment to make computer networks easier to use, the companies said. They said Armonk, N.Y.-based IBM soon plans to begin a cash tender offer for Tivoli shares at $47.50 each. IBM said the merger, when completed, will result in an unspecified one-time charge against IBM’s earnings. The acquisition price represents only about 10% of IBM’s $7.7 billion current cash reserves. The acquisition gives the world’s biggest software company the same strength in managing networks of computers that it has in its traditional business of running mainframes.