Microsoft confirms Yammer buyout

Social network set to enhance software giant's SharePoint and Office 365

Microsoft has today confirmed its takeover of business social networking site Yammer in a $1.2bn (£770m) cash deal.

Yammer, which has more than five million corporate users, will complement Microsoft's SharePoint, Office 365, Dynamics and Skype tools, according to a statement released by the software giant.

David Sacks, chief executive of Yammer, said social networking has a big part to play in business.

He added: "When we started Yammer four years ago, we set out to do something big. We had a vision for how social networking could change the way we work. Joining Microsoft will accelerate that vision and give us access to the technologies, expertise and resources we will need to scale and innovate."

The corporate social network is four years old, and although the deal is subject to closing conditions including regulatory approval, Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer said the partnership is bound for success.

"The acquisition of Yammer underscores our commitment to deliver technology that businesses need and people love. Yammer adds a best-in-class enterprise social networking service to Microsoft's growing portfolio of complementary cloud services," he added.