(WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) — In an effort to bolster its real-time data compression technology, IBM (www.ibm.com) has completed the acquisition of online storage optimization software developer Storwize (www.storwize.com), whose innovations could help IBM clients improve storage efficiency by reducing storage requirements up to 80 percent.
The companies announced in July a definitive acquisition agreement involving the exchange of $140 million, according to reports. According to IBM’s Monday announcement, the deal is final, but financial details were not disclosed.
Under the terms of the deal, Storwize will become part of IBM Systems and Software Group. IBM hopes that by integrating Storwize’s Random Access Compression Engine (or RACE) with its storage solutions portfolio it can make it more affordable for clients to analyze massive amounts of data in order to provide new insights and business outcomes. The Storwize appliance works with IBM’s N-series network-attached storage systems, as well as non-IBM NAS systems from EMC, HP, NetApp and others.
The RACE technology complements other storage efficiency offerings like deduplication, which eliminates redundant data in order to improve storage usage.
“IBM is focused on helping clients reduce the cost and complexity of managing the vast amounts of data that are consistently growing year over year,” IBM system storage and networking general manager Brian Truskowski said in a statement. “Using the RACE technology can help IBM clients compress their primary data while preventing storage sprawl and lowering power and cooling costs.”
IBM has been recently growing its software portfolio through acquisitions, adding Sterling Commerce,Cast Iron Systems and Intelliden this year alone.
