ITGumbo: spicing IT up

you continue to.

Globes is reporting that IBM has agreed to acquire Israeli data protections and data-recovery solutions provider, FilesX for an undisclosed sum. According to Globes,

"IBM intends that the FilesX technology will become part of the Tivoli Storage Manager family of products, IBM’s flagship suite of data protection and information infrastructure offerings. IBM expects that FilesX enterprise-level continuous data protection solutions will complement IBM's existing file-based software - called IBM Tivoli Continuous Data Protection for Files - which is targeted at small and mid-sized business customers and individual PC users. With its patented technology, FilesX helps IT staff restore data from virtually any type of failure and from nearly any point in time. FilesX offerings may be particularly attractive in environments where IT skills and budgets are limited, as it is considered easy to use and offers self-managing features."

For those who are keeping track, if IBM goes through with this purchase, it will be the company's second acquisition of an Israeli storage company since January (when it acquired XIV), and the third Israeli company it has been connected to in relation to acquisitions since the New Year (the second being the rumors of its in talks to acquire Diligent Technologies Corp). It will also be the first one without any connection to Moshe Yanai.

News of this acquisition comes amidst its rival, EMC, being in the news lately with its own acquisitions. However, there doesn't seem to be any direct connection between EMC's recent moves and IBM's purchasing FilesX, which will "enhance its data-recovery offerings for remote offices."

Perhaps more relevant is that this comes after FilesX announced last week "the immediate availability of support for multi-language versions of Microsoft Windows in its Xpress Restore software product." But, that's enough speculation.

While IBM's constant interest in storage is part of a general trend that the company and several others in the industry will continue to follow throughout the year, it will be interesting to see if other company's, perhaps EMC, will follow IBM's lead in acquiring Israeli data storage companies. What do you think? Fill out the survey to let me know. 

Company Facts

Founded in 2000.

Jimmy Garcia-Meza, President and CEO.

Ami Kleinman, VP R&D.

Products: Xpress Restore CDP, Xpress Restore DR and Xchange Restore.

Website: www.filesx.com.


About the author: Lisa Damast is the Membership Manager of ebizQ.net and currently resides in Israel. Any questions or inquiries regarding this blog or ebizQ membership services can be directed to her via email at ldamast (at) ebizq (dot) net. She can also be followed on Twitter, where she covers additional Israeli technology companies and Israel-related headlines and topics.