Microsoft extended its serious on online advertising by acquired an Israeli startup that called YaData, in Hebrew it mean “You Knew.” YaData, began operation in 2006 and headquartered in Tel Aviv, is a startup that provides analytics software for firms to micro-segment their customers. Despite the fact that the cost of acquisition is not announced by both parties, YaData can be considered as a good buy as it gives Microsoft a much-needed targeting tools especially in areas of customer segmentation. Moreover, this technology particularly is a new brand in services, and will help to increase advertisers’ confidence in using Microsoft’s online advertising products. This is very important especially at this moment Microsoft is going closely after Google in online advertising industry.

In a press release (PDF) issued by YaData, YaData team will join Microsoft’s Israel R&D center in Herzliya (another R&D centers of Microsoft is in Tel Aviv) and its solutions will be deployed through Microsoft’s Advertiser and Publisher Solutions group. Besides, it should be noted that YaData’s previous backers also included Giza and Ofer Hi-Tech.

via [VentureBeat]