Big Blue to buy Softek

IBM has made an agreement to acquire Softek Storage Solutions, a private Virginia-based company that specializes in data movement technology, IBM announced Monday. The company, set to inherit Softek's patent on transparent data migration facility (TDMF) for data movement across multiple platforms and operating systems, plans to integrate the technology in its IT infrastructure.

Big Blue says the TDMF technology will enable its clients to move data while keeping the applications for that data available and online. Under the deal, Softek is set to become part of IBM Global Technology Services under its Storage and Data Services business. The financial terms of the acquisition, which is planned for the end of March and is subject to regulatory approval, were not disclosed.