IBM buys in identity management software

IBM today announced the acquisition of SRD, a privately held developer of identity resolution software based in Las Vegas.

Although financial details were not disclosed, under the terms of the acquisition SRD's operations and products will be integrated into IBM's Information Management software division.

According to Big Blue, the deal will allow it to boost the capabilities of its existing identity resolution offerings by incorporating SRD's technology, which can provide an accurate view into individuals and relationships in real time.

The acquisition also aims to enhance IBM's business intelligence platform and strengthen its analytical capabilities by enabling development of products that require the melding of information stored in a variety of databases, and drawing out non-obvious relationships between entities.

"The seemingly simple questions of 'who is who?' and 'who knows whom?' cut across a wide variety of business problems today," said Janet Perna, general manager at IBM's Information Management division.

"The SRD technology provides solutions to these age-old problems with unparalleled speed and accuracy."

SRD's technology, based on SQL and Java J2EE, is designed to work with IBM and non-IBM data sources, including Oracle and Microsoft databases, enabling customers to integrate the software with existing infrastructures.