IBM has agreed to acquire network management and security specialist BigFix, Inc. with an eye to bolstering its systems automation offerings. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

BigFix's products and services help customers manage security and compliance updates on their networks and monitor performance in real time.

"BigFix automates some of the most time-intensive IT tasks across the most complex global networks," said Al Zollar, general manager of IBM's Tivoli software group, in a statement.

"BigFix's real-time visibility and control for globally distributed computing devices will complement IBM's existing smarter data center offerings and strengthen our ability to build security into the fabric of the enterprise," said Zollar.

BigFix, of Emeryville, Calif., was founded in 1997. Its list of about 700 customers includes Kronos, Western Federal Credit Union, Tempurpedic, and SunTrust Banks. SunTrust is running BigFix management software on more than 50,000 PCs, servers, and mobile devices to maintain a 98.5% compliance rate throughout its enterprise operations.

BigFix officials said that becoming part of IBM will allow their organization to broaden its market presence.

"BigFix is excited about becoming part of the IBM team to deliver greater visibility and control to the computing infrastructure, backed by world-class sales, services, support, and alliance organizations," said BigFix president and CEO Dave Robbins, in a statement.

BigFix is the latest in a string of acquisitions by IBM that are meant to enhance the company's portfolio of management, middleware, and analytics software—which IBM has identified as key growth areas.

Last month, IBM agreed to buy out Coremetrics, a privately held developer of business analytics software, for an undisclosed amount. IBM's software group has now acquired roughly 60 companies under the watch of Sam Palmisano, who became CEO in 2003.

IBM shares were flat in midday trading Thursday at $122.69 per share.

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