Big deal by Salesforce.com

Mobile technology manufacturer Santa Monica, Calif.-based Sendia Corporation was acquired today by Salesforce.com. The first acquisition by CRM technology provider, the Sendia purchase represented a $15 million cash transaction.

The move was precipitated by the desire to augment its AppExchange platform with mobile functionality. Indeed, soon after the announcement of acquisition came the presentation of AppExchange Mobile, a product specializing in mobile development. Salesforce.com product marketing vice president Kendall Collins stated that the technology enables more than 60 applications based in AppExchange.

Salesforce.com is trumpeting AppExchange Mobile as the next evolutionary step in mobile applications. “Mobile applications have under-delivered,” Collins opined. “People have been able to email [but] haven’t been able to run business applicatons.” The mobile platform is touted for its solutions. According to Collins, an application can be written on the AppExchange platform and can be instantly run on mobile technology.

The relationship between Sendia and Salesforce.com had been tight for some time before the buyout, with crossovers of stock and service. No layoffs have been announced, and current customers of either company will be unaffected. AppExchange Mobile is available now.