AI Standout Altair To Buy Semiconductor Automation Specialist Metrics

‘By combining our best-in-class software with Metrics’ cloud-based simulation as a service, we are excited to bring this groundbreaking technology to our EDA [electric design automation] and semiconductor customers,’ says Altair CEO James Scapa.

AI cloud specialist Altair is acquiring Metrics Design Automation in a move to transform the semiconductor market by making top-notch automation tools more affordable and accessible.

Metrics provides a simulation-as-a-service business model called DSim for semiconductor electronic simulation and design verification. Altair plans to combine DSim with its own Silicon Debug Tools to deliver an advanced simulation environment and debug capabilities in the electronic design automation (EDA) and semiconductor space.

“By combining our best-in-class software with Metrics’ cloud-based simulation as a service, we are excited to bring this groundbreaking technology to our EDA and semiconductor customers,” said Altair CEO James Scapa (pictured) in a statement. “Altair is unique in our ability to merge simulation with industry-leading workload and workflow optimization technology, serving as a true partner for companies embracing innovative tools and resource delivery models in this highly specialized and high-stakes industry.”

Scapa added that “customers now have a choice in design verification.”

Troy, Mich.-based Altair made CRN’s list of the 20 Hottest AI Cloud Companies of 2024.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The deal will see Altair acquire all of the outstanding capital stock of Ottawa, Ontario-based Metrics.

Altair’s AI Future With Metrics

Altair is a computational intelligence specialist that provides AI-powered software and cloud offerings for high-performance computing, simulations and data analytics.

The company’s goal is to bring together data science and rocket science to enable customers to make smarter decisions via AI in a sustainable manner.

The Altair and Metrics offering will have the flexibility to run as a desktop app, on a customer’s own servers or in the cloud and can run very large regressions with the customer paying only for what they use.

Metrics’ DSim is optimized for speed, capacity and accuracy to provide semiconductor, automotive, aerospace and defense customers with Altair’s digital simulation, visualization and circuit debug technology. This will allow customers to quickly track down design problems and move the most complex devices into production earlier and with a higher degree of confidence.

DSim will be available through Altair One, the company’s cloud innovation gateway, where it will also be available for desktop download.

Metrics Chairman Joe Costello said merging with Altair will “allow us to grow and provide an alternative option—whether on desktop, on your own servers or in the cloud—to engineers looking for a flexible, modern, accurate and fast design verification solution that is truly scalable.”

The deal is expected to close later this year.