In an apparent move to strengthen its online support, Booking.com has acqui-hired a group of staffers from messaging service provider eBuddy.
Amsterdam-based eBuddy enables users with Facebook Chat, MSN, Google Talk, Yahoo Messenger and other messaging accounts to chat for free in one aggregated interface. The service is available as both web and mobile applications.
On its blog eBuddy calls it an acqui-hire agreement, and the team will join Booking.com, also in Amsterdam.
eBuddy processes over 17 billion messages per month and enables more than 30 million unique monthly users to exchange messages through its services.
Deal terms were not disclosed, and it is not clear how exactly eBuddy applications will be integrated with the accommodation booking giant.
Founded in 2003 under the brand e-Messenger and re-branded in 2006, eBuddy is a privately-held company backed by Prime Technology Ventures and Lowland Capital Partners.