EMC has announced plans to add to its datacentre management line-up with the acquisition of Configuresoft.

The deal comes immediately after EMC World 2009, where chief executive Joe Tucci discussed plans for a major acquisition spree to strengthen EMC's position in the market.

Configuresoft tracks changes in the way servers are configured, and provides analytics and dashboard tools for IT security and compliance purposes. The company fits tightly with other plans announced at EMC's annual customer and partner event to help customers manage their virtual sprawl.

Configuresoft's flagship Enterprise Configuration Manager provides IT departments with visibility into virtual sprawl, and identifies unauthorised changes such as how an anti-virus program is launched. Configuration Intelligent Analytics, meanwhile, provides a dashboard to view key performance indicators.

After the acquisition is completed, Configuresoft will become part of EMC's Resource Management Software Group (RMSG).

"We are gaining market-leading server configuration management solutions, giving customers the power they need to fully automate the datacentre in compliance with new physical and virtual best practice policies," said Chris Gahagan, president of EMC RMSG.

The announcement builds on EMC's successful original equipment manufacturer relationship with Configuresoft, which started in 2008 and has seen EMC supplying Configursoft's Enterprise Configuration Manager and Configuration Intelligent Analytics under the brand names of EMC Server Configuration Manager and Configuration Analytics Manager. The names will remain after the acquisition, said EMC.

The transaction, for an undisclosed sum, is expected to close in June, subject to certain conditions. It is not expected to affect EMC's revenue for the rest of the year.