IBM buys software testing specialist Green Hat

IBM is to acquire software testing services provider Green Hat in a move designed to bolster its Rational Software business.

The terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

Green Hat tests software applications in the cloud before they are deployed, enabling customers to avoid having to construct their own potentially costly testing lab, according to IBM.

This technology will help IBM's customers manage the short development cycle required to compete effectively in fast-changing markets such as the smartphone and tablet markets, the company said.

IBM believes that Green Hat will help customers quickly integrate their applications as it will manage virtual protocols, message formats, services, customisation and engagement with third-party software.

"This acquisition extends IBM's leadership in driving business agility and software quality by changing the way enterprises can manage software development cost, test cycle time and risk," said Kristof Kloeckner, IBM rational general manager.

Ovum analyst Michael Azoff said the acquisition fills a gap in Rational Software's portfolio.

"It provides testing capabilities for superior environments such as those that provide virtualisation. So with complex systems involving a combination of different systems such as mainframe, distributed and legacy systems it can virtualise them completely and switch on the system bit by bit to flush out the defects effectively," he said.

Azoff said the acquisition will help IBM to compete with HP and CA Technologies, which acquired Green Hat rival ITKO in June 2011.