Big Blue completes purchase of Canadian cloud provider

Acquisition of Toronto's Platform Computing is expected to accelerate IBM’s growth in smarter computing arena.

IBM has completed its acquisition of Platform Computing, a privately held company that specializes in cloud and other technologies, according to a Jan. 9 company announcement.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

IBM announced last October that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Toronto, Ont., provider of cluster, grid and cloud management software for distributed computing environments.

More than 2,000 clients, including 23 of the top 30 largest global enterprises, use its software to help create, integrate and manage shared computing environments for simulations, computer modeling and analytics, the announcement said.

Platform Computing now will be integrated into IBM Systems and Technology Group.

“The acquisition of Platform Computing will help accelerate IBM’s growth in smarter computing – a key initiative in IBM’s Smarter Planet strategy,” said Helene Armitage, general manager of IBM Systems Software, in the announcement.

IBM Corp., of Armonk, N.Y., ranks No. 21 on Washington Technology’s 2011 Top 100 list of the largest federal government contractors.