IBM swoops on Transitive Corporation

The Transitive technology is already part of IBM's PowerVMTM software

IBM has announced plans to buy virtualisation firm Transitive Corporation for an undisclosed sum.

Transitive's QuickTransit technology translates software so that it can be used on different hardware systems.

"This acquisition is part of IBM's strategy to help clients optimise the efficiency and productivity of their computing infrastructure, and improve the utilisation of the servers that run them," said IBM in a statement.

The Transitive technology is already part of the IBM PowerVMTM software that helps customers consolidate x86 Linux workloads onto IBM Systems. IBM said that it is expecting more customers to migrate to IBM systems in the near future.

QuickTransit is also used by Apple to allow software made for its machines using PowerPC processors to be transferred to Intel-based Macs.

Transitive Corporation is a privately-held company headquartered in Los Gatos, California, with a research and development team in Manchester, UK.