IBM is fleshing out its Tivoli management suite to tackle regulatory compliance and license tracking on legacy systems with the acquisition of Isogon Corp.

The deal, announced Thursday, will integrate Isogon's software use and tracking system for mainframes with IBM's Linux, Unix and Windows management suite.

Isogon is a privately held company and financial terms were not revealed, although IBM said it expects the deal would close during the third quarter of 2005. Isogon is an existing IBM partner and, between them, the companies share 200 customers.

According to IBM, Isogon's technology will play a "key role" in its ongoing IT service management strategy for the automation and integration of businesses processes. Isogon's SoftAudit gathers inventory and usage data for zOS and Unix servers while Spotlight+ displays data in customizable views and reports.

IBM said the deal meant customers can tackle compliance with regulations like Sarbanes-Oxley because it provides them with an annual account of IT assets and expenditure. Customers would also be able to manage software licenses, saving money by removing unwanted licenses and tracking growth patterns in software use.®

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