CA Acquires Cloud Computing Company, IBM Gets Rational

CA and IBM spruced up their respective
cloud computing portfolios Tuesday with solutions spanning the data center and
software asset management and development.

CA acquired certain assets of Cassatt, the brainchild of former BEA CEO
Bill Coleman, for an undisclosed amount. Cassatt specializes in cloud computing
software that makes data centers more efficient. The assets CA acquired,
including several Cassatt patents, enable data center automation and
policy-based optimization, according to the company.

“Cassatt has long been a champion for using a cloud-style architecture to
manage data centers like a ‘compute utility,’” says Cassatt CEO
Coleman.

The Cassatt technology will fit in with CA’s infrastructure management
solutions that help reduce complexity in data center environments based now on
sophisticated composite applications running in the cloud, according to CA. CA
will also incorporate Cassatt’s analysis and optimization capabilities into
another business-driven automation solution to allow managed service providers
to use cloud computing to drive efficiencies on- and off-premises, in private
data centers, and in utility data centers.

For its part, IBM at its Rational Software
conference unveiled a number of services and products designed to run on top of
its Jazz technology platform that help customers align their business
strategies with their software investments. The goal is to provide visibility
into ongoing software projects to make sure they are delivering ROI and cutting
costs. Several of Big Blue’s software delivery product previewed at the event
were run in a cloud environment.

The announcements included:

•    IBM Rational Insight, a
new investment and project management solution.
•    A beta program for IBM
Rational Focal Point for Project Management, a new solution to reduce delays
and mistakes that can prevent software from meeting business needs.
•    New enhancements and integrations to IBM
Rational Focal Point for Product and Portfolio Management, IBM
Rational Requirements Composer, IBM Rational
Team Concert, and IBM Rational System
Architect.

From a solution provider perspective, IBM is
touting the extensibility of the Rational products and services, which allows
partners in the Ready for Rational program to build third-party solutions
on top of the platform, the company said.