IBM boosts software testing portfolio with Green Hat buy

IBM has announced plans to acquire cloud software testing firm Green Hat for an undisclosed sum.

Green Hat, which has been a partner of IBM's for over a year, allows developers to automate the testing of software applications prior to delivery without them having to set up a testing lab.

The company, which has headquarters in both the UK and US, will be integrated into IBM's Rational Software business in the firm's Software Group.

The technology will be combined with the IBM Rational Solution for Collaborative Lifestyle Management (CLM) to help improve the testing process for customers and speed the delivery of apps while reducing costs.

"This acquisition extends IBM's leadership in driving business agility and software quality by changing the way enterprises can manage software development cost, test cycle time and risk," said Kristof Kloeckner, IBM Rational general manager.

"Together, we offer the most complete solution available today for agile software development and testing, with flexible options such as the cloud."

Quocirca analyst Clive Longbottom, described the buy as a "good move" by IBM.

"Green Hat's capabilities means firms can do on-demand testing which allows them to get more bang for their buck than they do with dedicated testing environments," he told V3.

"With Green Hat, IBM has acquired testing tools made particularly for web based and composite applications."

Longbottom said Green Hat technology is used by some companies that write their own applications, such as banks and financial organisations, but that its future growth would be largely dependant on cloud providers.

"Green Hat's technology will be a growth area for IT and not only for banks but for cloud providers who tend to create their own run time environments but want to rent testing environments," he said.