IBM acquires Green Hat – move will reduce cost of cloud testing

4 Jan 2012

IBM’s acquisitions spree is continuing with news today that the technology giant has acquired UK-headquartered software quality and testing player Green Hat.

The move is an important development for IBM, as it will allow its customers to test the quality of cloud software before it is delivered.

Until now, in order to run simulation testing on a software programme, a development team had to construct an actual testing lab made up of both hardware and software.

Using the company’s technology, a virtual test lab can be set up in a matter of minutes.

Industry reports suggest software testing represents more than 50pc of overall development costs and testing teams spend 30pc of their time managing complex test environments.

Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Founded in 1996, Green Hat is jointly headquartered in London and Delaware.

When the acquisition is complete, Green Hat will join IBM’s Rational Software business.

Last month, IBM acquired Irish software company Cúram for an undisclosed sum.

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com