Microsoft closes UMT deal

Microsoft said Thursday that it has closed its deal to acquire software and other assets from consulting firm UMT. Microsoft plans to use technology from UMT to add new server-based capabilities into the next version of Microsoft Project. Microsoft Project '12' also adds improved performance and new Web-based abilities built on Windows SharePoint services.

CEO Steve Ballmer, who is speaking to a conference of Project and Visio users at a conference in Seattle, is also announcing new diagramming and data connection abilities for Visio '12.' Both products are expected as part of Office '12,' which is due out in the second half of this year.