Tableau captures Empirical Systems

Empirical Systems, a US-based automated statistics technology developer spun out from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), was acquired by business intelligence data visualisation software developer Tableau Software for an undisclosed sum yesterday.

Empirical Systems has created a real-time analytics engine that relies on statistical algorithms to automate the modelling of tabular data forms such as spreadsheets and tables.

The product is marketed as an automated statistician capable of providing insights and reducing the time IT employees spend performing tedious, routine tasks.

Tableau Software will integrate the analytics engine with its own business intelligence software, potentially allowing its customers to draw insights without constructing the underlying data assumptions themselves.

The company will take on Empirical employees as part of the acquisition and plans to establish a new R&D centre in Empirical’s native Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Empirical Systems was spun out from the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences’ Probabilistic Computing Project, whose leader Vikash Mansinghka co-founded the company together with chief executive Richard Tibbetts.

Tibbetts had previously helped form real-time data analytics provider StreamBase.

The spinout had raised a total of $2.5m in funding before the acquisition, according to GeekWire. Its investors included seed investment firm Hyperplane Venture Capital and Brain Robotics Capital.

Tibbetts said: “We developed Empirical to make complex data modelling and sophisticated statistical analysis more accessible, so anyone trying to understand their data can make thoughtful, data-driven decisions based on sound analysis, regardless of their technical expertise.

“Our vision for Empirical is strongly aligned with Tableau’s mission and approach to research and innovation, and we see endless opportunities to bring deeper insights to the expansive community of passionate, engaged Tableau customers.”