Lenovo acquires Stoneware for cloud computing and BYOD push

Lenovo is to acquire cloud computing firm Stoneware as part of its plans to address the growing importance of cloud services in a world where mobile devices are increasingly displacing PCs.

The firm, currently the second largest global PC vendor, announced its intention to acquire Stoneware to enhance and expand its cloud computing offerings, citing this as a key part of its future plans.

The acquisition is due to be completed by the end of 2012, but financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

Lenovo said the move will enable it to add significant new technologies to its portfolio and accelerate its capabilities in both the commercial and consumer cloud computing spheres, with a focus on delivering content across multiple devices as part of the bring your own device (BYOD) trend.

Stoneware's existing line-up includes webNetwork, a cloud platform that delivers a HTML5-based desktop environment providing access to cloud-based file storage and applications, including both web-based and Windows applications, either virtualised or published via the web.

Lenovo executives were not available to elaborate on its plans for Stoneware's technology at the time of writing, but the firm said in a statement the purchase is critical to its broader strategy for what it terms the "PC Plus" era.

"With the momentum of an expanding tablet and smartphone business and a newly formed joint venture with EMC, Lenovo aims to offer end-to-end secure solutions to business customers and compelling cloud-based technology to consumers," the firm said.

Lenovo indicated that the Stoneware team will be fully integrated into Lenovo, but will continue to sell both its webNetwork and LanSchool tools while serving existing customers and partners.