IBM Plugs Into DataPower

If there was ever any doubt that extensible markup language (XML) processing has hit the big time, IBM Corp. (NYSE: IBM) scuttled it with yesterday's acquisition of appliance vendor DataPower Technology Inc.

The deal secures XML's place in IBM's service-oriented architecture (SOA) plans. IBM aims to make application deployments more flexible for service providers and enterprise networks alike. So far, IBM's interest appears to be in the enterprise use of XML. DataPower worked on bringing XML into telecom circles (where equipment would use XML to talk with back-office systems, for example), but it's yet to be seen whether IBM will give that direction any emphasis.

For now, IBM is devoting its attention to fitting DataPower's appliances with the WebSphere line of software, and has plans to develop SOA appliances based on DataPower's technology. (See IBM Acquires DataPower .)

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. DataPower CEO Jim Ricotta will continue to manage the DataPower crew and will play a role in IBM's software group as well, IBM said in a release.

Get the full story at Light Reading.Craig Matsumoto, Senior Editor, Light Reading