IBM buys virtualisation tracking firm

IBM is to acquire CIMS Labs for an undisclosed sum

IBM has agreed to acquire CIMS Labs for an undisclosed sum. The firm develops technology that tracks software and hardware use in virtualised environments.

The information allows organisations to monitor the use of resources in grids, enabling the billing of users according to the computing resources they consume.

The software can also be used to track and bill for IT use in a service oriented architecture where departments share all or part of an application.

"Keeping tabs on IT costs is daunting for any organisation facing a maze of platforms and systems that have traditionally been tracked separately and manually," said Al Zollar, general manager for IBM's Tivoli software.

"The CIMS software helps companies take control of their IT costs, which is a key advantage of IT services management."

IBM's acquisition complements its portfolio of management software, and the CIMS technology will become part of Big Blue's Tivoli product line-up.

California-based CIMS was created in 1999 as a spin-off from Platinum Technology, which only months later was acquired by Computer Associates.