IBM acquires on-demand data-protection firm Arsenal Digital Solutions

IBM is acquiring on-demand data protection firm Arsenal Digital Solutions to widen its business continuity offering.

The acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, will see Arsenal become part of the Business Continuity and Resiliency Services (BCRS) business unit at IBM Global Technology Services.

The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2008, said IBM.

Arsenal's scalable on-demand services architecture provides customers with automated infrastructure management to all segments of the marketplace.

Philippe Jarre, vice president at IBM Global Business Continuity and Resiliency Services, said, "IBM's business continuity and resiliency services, combined with managed services from Arsenal, will provide clients the ability to back up and protect their information in a way that is integrated with their business continuity plan."