Microsoft says it has made a significant investment into DeepMetrix, a 15-year-old Web traffic analysis firm. The acquisition is likely in response to a similar one arch rival Google made a few months back. Microsoft"s Internet division, MSN, plans to ultimately incorporate the DeepMetrix Web analytics tricks into future releases of Microsoft adCenter, Internet search, Office Live and MSN Spaces, a Microsoft rep said.
DeepMetrix makes a number of different software applications, including graphical bulletin boards. But what most attracted Microsoft is its feature to provide real-time information about the traffic visiting a Web site, details Web operators greatly benefit from knowing. "Microsoft chose DeepMetrix because of its great technology that delivers superior web analytics software," a Microsoft spokeswoman wrote in an email. "It is the best target for this space."