Salesforce Strengthens Commerce AI with Cimulate Acquisition

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In a strategic move to enhance its artificial intelligence capabilities, Salesforce has finalized the acquisition of Cimulate. The deal, announced on February 11, 2026, represents the software giant's first purchase of the year and is squarely aimed at bolstering the AI features within its commerce division.

The acquisition highlights Salesforce's continued investment in its Agentforce platform, a cornerstone of the company's broader AI strategy. The transaction is anticipated to close during the first quarter of fiscal year 2027, pending standard regulatory approvals and closing conditions. This move occurs as the broader software industry undergoes significant transformation in 2026, with AI technologies fundamentally reshaping established business models.

Cimulate brings to Salesforce a specialized AI technology designed to create more natural and intuitive online shopping experiences. The core of this technology is an "Intent-Aware Context Engine," which analyzes both real and simulated data to develop a deeper understanding of the motivations behind customer purchasing behavior. For retailers using Salesforce, this promises to more effectively bridge the gap between what a customer searches for and what they actually intend to buy.

Integration and Organizational Shifts

The specialized AI from Cimulate is slated for integration into Salesforce's Agentforce Commerce platform. The goal is to develop search and product discovery functions that more closely mimic human interactions, thereby making e-commerce more relevant and targeted for end-users.

Concurrently, Salesforce has recently implemented management restructuring efforts intended to improve alignment between its Agentforce platform and its Slack division. The market will gain further insight into the reception of Salesforce's AI initiatives when the company reports its fourth-quarter and full-year 2026 financial results on February 25, 2026.