Telefónica has acquired eyeOS, a cloud computing start-up based in Barcelona, Spain offering an open-source web desktop. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Telefónica said the acquisition brings an open-source desktop virtualisation service (DVS), adding to Telefónica's current cloud software. eyeOS makes it possible for companies to translate legacy applications to mobile as well as harness desktop virtualisation technology and apply this to mobile devices. This technology enables Telefónica to offer comprehensive solutions tailor made to specific needs based on free software capable of competing against other commercial proposals. The companies have collaborated since 2010.
“The acquisition of eyeOS demonstrates the willingness of a large company like Telefónica to work with start-ups, highlighting its openness to innovation and its ability to seek talent and the best
ideas outside of its own structure” said Pau Garcia-Milà, co-founder of eyeOS. “Telefónica will help eyeOS to not only consolidate and expand its technological proposal, but give it international reach through Telefónica's global network.”
David del Val, product innovation director at Telefónica and chairman and CEO of Telefónica I+D, said: "The integration of eyeOS into Telefónica will allow us to harness the technological abilities of a great team and develop a new generation of cloud services based on open technologies. These services define a scalable and affordable proposal that meets the needs of public administrations and SMEs among others.”
