IBM announced on Thursday that it is acquiring Aspera, makers of a solution that helps companies more quickly move massive data files to the cloud.

The company claims its technology reduces transmission times for large files or data sets by up to 99.9%, and cutting up to as much as 26 hours from the transfer of a 24 gigabyte file, sent halfway around the world down to 30 seconds.

“Our experience working with thousands of clients on Big Data projects tells us that companies can better compete and win when they can quickly extract value from massive volumes of data,” said John Mesberg, Vice President, B2B and Commerce Solutions at IBM. “With this acquisition, IBM addresses a key challenge for globally integrated enterprises by allowing them to move large data files much faster to the individuals who need them, wherever in the world they may be.”

“Our team has redefined how the world’s biggest data can be moved quickly, securely and reliably around the world,” said Aspera president and co-founder Michelle Munson. “By tapping into IBM’s innovative capabilities and global resources, we will solve ever expanding data movement challenges for our customers now and in the future.”

IBM says the acquisition builds on its “Smarter Commerce” initiative aimed at letting businesses accelerate their digital supply chains between partners and suppliers.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Image: Aspera