Ipswitch acquires iOpus to boost web monitoring tool portfolio

Network management vendor Ipswitch has acquired iOpus, a developer of web application performance testing and monitoring tools, in a move designed to round out the portfolio of management tools it can offer to customers.

Announced on Tuesday, the acquisition of iOpus enables Ipswitch's Network Management Division to deliver a complete end-to-end package of cost-effective monitoring and management tools, the firm said.

The iOpus products - AlertFox and iMacros - are aimed at monitoring web application performance and testing from the end user perspective, to enable companies to optimise their web-based applications to deliver the optimum experience to users.

"The internet is the backbone of today's business world, and our customers can now ensure that their web presence performs flawlessly," added Ipswitch Network Management Division president Ennio Carboni.

AlertFox provides real-time monitoring of metrics such as response times and the success or failure of transactions in Rich Internet Applications (RIA) built on Silverlight, Flash or Ajax platforms.

Meanwhile, iMacros provides scripting capabilities for automating tasks inside a web browser, with support for Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Chrome.

iOpus chief executive Mathias Roth said the deal would help both firms provide value for money to customers.

"Our ability to test and monitor all Web 2.0 technologies, including Ajax, Flash and Silverlight, using Firefox, Internet Explorer and Chrome, in a unique and meaningful way delivers on that promise," he said.

The new products are expected to complement Ipswitch's WhatsUp Gold network management suite.