Why Japanese software giant Yokogawa Electric acquired Houston tech startup Fluence Analytics

When Japanese software company Yokogawa Electric agreed to a deal to acquire Houston-based data analytics startup Fluence Analytics, it marked the conclusion of several years of groundwork laid by Fluence founder and COO Alex Reed.

The agreement follows Yokogawa’s previously signed distribution agreement for Fluence products in Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. But for Fluence, the Japanese company offers a needed hardware complement to its software offerings, Reed told the Houston Business…