Failing at natural growth? Then strike deals with competitors like Microsoft and then buy some more companies for Microsoft to have more influence over. Yes, we are being partly cynical, but there is an element of truth in that.

The following accumulation is intended to serve as a reference post about the acquisition by Novell of Managed Objects. Novell has become somewhat of a serial acquirer, and that's no good given Novell's #1 partner and its ill effects on Free software.

Anyway, here is the press release announcing this to-be acquisition, which will probably be approved without any difficulties.

Novell today announced a definitive agreement to acquire the business service management leader Managed Objects. The acquisition will extend Novell's portfolio of data center solutions by adding tools to provide a unified view of all information and workloads. As a result, both IT and business managers will have improved visibility into how their information systems deliver business services across physical and virtual environments, so managers can make better decisions to ensure availability and quality of service while improving agility and lowering the total cost of data center management.

Monetary terms remained undisclosed. Being a major acquisition, there was plenty coverage of this, including:

IDG: Novell buying Managed Objects for BSM

BSM software helps companies map the performance of their IT systems against day-to-day business processes. The BSM market has become dominated by a handful of large players -- IBM, Hewlett-Packard, CA and BMC -- but is also populated by a range of smaller ones, such as Compuware and FireScope.

eWeek Novell Gets CMDB Through Acquisition of Managed Objects

Managed Objects, which has been in business in the Washington, D.C. area since 1997, makes business service management software. Novell develops open-source software that manages various kinds of IT systems.

The key technology that Novell is picking up through the acquisition is the company's CMDB (configuration management database), which is becoming a trendy item for IT companies to have in their tool chests because it brings order and control to rapidly changing data center environments.

JupiterMedia: Novell Grabs BSM Player Managed Objects

The move comes amid a high level of interest in BSM software and services, which essentially show how changes to an enterprise's IT infrastructure can impact its business and help companies align IT with business objectives.

Boston Herald: Novell acquires Va. software firm

Novell Inc. bought the company Managed Objects of McLean, Va., today.

Waltham-based Novell makes open-source software that manages information technology systems.

Var Guy Joe P.: Novell: Making A Managed Services Move?

I’ve already heard from one software industry executive who said Novell will not use Managed Objects to make an MSP move. I’ve sent an email to Novell corporate PR seeking their perspective.

The Register: Novell to acquire Managed Objects

Novell intends to buy Managed Objects, maker of business service management (BSM) software, for an undisclosed sum. The deal is expected to close during Novell's first fiscal quarter 2009, which ends next January.

InformationWeek: Novell To Buy Managed Objects, Expand Data Center Offerings

Novell is acquiring the business service management supplier Managed Objects for an undisclosed amount. It will use Managed Objects' products to expand Novell's systems management product line.

Channel Business: Novell to acquire Managed Objects

Novell says the acquisition will extend its portfolio of datacentre solutions by adding tools to provide a unified view of all information and workloads, flexible service modeling, Configuration Management Data Base (CMDB) technology, advanced analytics and unique Web 2.0-based visualisation technology.

ENN (Ireland): Daily Digest 15 October

Finally, Novell has announced an agreement to acquire the business service management firm Managed Objects. The acquisition is expected to extend Novell's portfolio of data centre solutions by adding tools to provide a unified view of information and workloads. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

DRN: Novell To Acquire Managed Objects

Just last month, Novell made channel management changes with the appointment of Javier Colado as its new channel chief. Previously, Colado was the manager of the company's Europe, Middle East and Africa operations. He replaced Pat Bernard, vice president of global channel sales, who left the company to "pursue other interests." Colado reports directly to President and CEO Ron Hovsepian.

Retail Week: Retailers should expect technology supplier consolidation

Then this morning news broke that another major IT firm, Novell, has agreed to acquire Managed Objects.

TechJournalSouth: Novell acquiring Virginia-based Managed Objects

“This acquisition extends Novell’s strategy of making IT work as one in the data center,” said Joe Wagner, senior vice president of systems and resource management at Novell.

Infomatics Online: Novell snaps up Managed Objects

The Managed Objects portfolio of products allows IT departments to monitor and manage the availability and performance of applications and services they deliver to the business.

Vnunet: Novell picks up Managed Objects

Siki Giunta, president and chief executive of Managed Objects, said: “There is very little product overlap and tremendous synergy between the two companies and our respective technology, which is great news for our customers and the market at large.”

ITPro: Novell buys Managed Objects

The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2009 - which begins next month. Managed Objects will be integrated into Novell’s Systems and Resource Management business unit.

There will be lots of commenting about this new 'division' of Novell. It's worth staying tuned. ⬆