The market for management software is about to get a little smaller, as
Nimbus Software AS Friday agreed to purchase long-time partner Converse
Software in a stock deal for an undisclosed sum.
Should the deal succeed, the new company will be called Nimsoft and will
gain a significant toehold in the competitive market for management software
in the United States, where Computer Associatesand Micromuse
also fight for customers.
Nimbus, of Oslo, Norway, makes software that manages the service levels —
the degree to which products perform — for servers, applications, databases
and networks. Such software is a boon to customers, because it boosts
infrastructure availability and the functionality of business processes.
The deal does not exactly come out of the blue.
Converse has been the exclusive North American distributor for Nimbus’
products for the last few years. During that time, Converse has accrued a
substantial customer base that includes IBM Global Services, GreenPoint
Bank, Dekalb Medical Center and others.
Nimsoft will make Converse’s office its U.S. headquarters and retain its
staff of 15 to fortify its position in America. Converse Software founder
and CEO Gary Read will become president and vice president for worldwide
sales at the combined company.
The deal is slated to close in the fourth quarter of 2004.
Dennis Drogseth, vice president, Enterprise Management Associates, cheered
the agreement in a statement.
“Nimbus has demonstrated significant growth in the management of application
performance and Service Level Management, as more and more of its customers
attest to a rapid ROI,” said Drogseth. “This move to purchase Converse
Software is the next logical step in Nimbus’ journey towards a global
expansion, which could result in a significant advantage against
competitors.”