Oracle has acquired identity management company Oblix to
bolster its web identity product suite.
Oblix sells identity management software that delivers web access
control, including single sign-on, identity administration and user
provisioning. The firm also provides security and regulatory
compliance solutions.
Oracle said Oblix's technology complements the identity and access
management products available in Oracle Identity Manage-ment and
those included as part of Oracle Application Server 10g.
"This acquisition will allow Oracle to offer a complete solution
for securely managing identities that is more flexible, scalable
and integrated," said Thomas Kurian, senior vice-president, Oracle
server technologies.
Phil Schacter, vice-president at analyst firm Burton Group, said,
"This acquisition is a positive move by Oracle and a natural step
for Oblix given the realities of the identity management
market.
"The new combined product set will provide an integrated identity
and access management solution for Oracle customers."
Oracle's move follows BMC Software's recent acquisition of identity
management company OpenNetwork.
Analyst firm Gartner has predicted further consolidation in the
identity management market as larger companies such as Oracle seek
to bolster their identity management products to support
businesses' expanding web services.
Oblix customers include American Airlines, British Airways, Cisco
Systems, General Motors, Hitachi, Ingersoll-Rand and the US Postal
Service.