IBM to buy data automation provider in another boost to cloud arsenal

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK – IBM is taking another step to bolster its cloud computing portfolio, announcing plans Wednesday to acquire automation technology firm NS1.

“NS1 helps enterprises in their efforts to ensure that their customers can easily access the services they desire across the Internet today,” IBM says. The privately held startup has raised more than $118 million in capital, according to Crunchbase.

It’s the second acquisition IBM has made this year and has made more than 30 deals under CEO Arvind Krishna over the past three years since he was named the tech giant’s top executive.

A three-year-old software startup focused on enabling developers to speed up applications and with less code became part of IBM three weeks ago. StepZen – based in Santa Clara and led by former IBM executives – was acquired on Feb. 10.

However, IBM is not buying NS1’s NetBox Labs, which IBM says will “separate” from its parent. Big Blue plans to invest in NetBox.

“NetBox Cloud is a rapidly growing business with dozens of enterprise customers, and our investment in the NetBox community is growing faster than ever,” NS1 says. “We’ve proven we can build a great business by investing in and empowering the open source NetBox community.”

NS1 is based in New York City. Its specialty is network automation SaaS [software as a service] technology.

IBM sees automation as a key part of hits hybrid cloud technology which enables blending of private cloud and public cloud networks.

Hybrid clouds are a specialty of Raleigh-based Red Hat, which is owned by IBM.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

IBM employs thousands of people across North Carolina and operates one of its largest campuses in RTP.