BMC To Expand SMB Options, Channel Roster With Acquisition

BMC Software is acquiring Numara Software, a developer of IT management software for mid-market companies, BMC disclosed Monday. The move will accelerate the growth of BMC's Software-as-a-Service business and expand its channel partner ranks.

The companies expect to complete the acquisition by the end of BMC's fiscal fourth quarter on March 31. The cost of the acquisition was not disclosed. BMC said it would provide more details about the acquisition during its third-quarter earnings call on Feb. 1.

While Houston-based BMC is best known for its IT management software for large companies, Numara's products, including the FootPrints and Track-It software, are designed for small and mid-size companies that typically have between 500 and 5,000 employees. The company's on-premise and SaaS software cover a range of IT management tasks including desktop management, PC lifecycle management, security and compliance, and help desk and service desk operations.

The Track-It help desk and asset management tools, for example, are specifically designed for use by smaller organizations. Those products will complement BMC's software for large companies, including the BMC Remedy OnDemand software and BMC Remedy IT Service Management Suite.

"Now BMC can effectively serve the entire spectrum of organizations hungry for IT management with products that truly meet the specific needs of their businesses," said Paul Avenant, BMC president of Enterprise Service Management (ESM), in a statement. "Numara's solutions, customer base, and sales and channel partners will round out BMC's market leadership in business service management and focus on customer care and support."

Tampa-based Numara has more than 13,000 customers worldwide and more than 70 channel partners that sell to Numara's small and mid-size customers. The company just launched a North American channel partner program in October and U.S. partners include Blue Rhino Group, Corus 360, Flycast Partners, SHI, TechXtend, U.S. international and Winvale, according to Numara's Web site.