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Microsoft has bought social media network Yammer for $1.2 billion.

Yammer, which is a social network for businesses, launched in 2008.  It allows group messaging between co-workers in real-time, private messaging, document and video uploading and sharing, and access to a company directory.  The service is currently available by desktop, mobile apps, and the web.  It’s used by more than 200,000 companies worldwide, including Ford Motor Co. and eBay.

Many experts have questioned what Microsoft plans to do with Yammer, but most agree that the company is probably looking to package the social network with their other business tools and offerings.