HP Adds Mobile Device Management with Bitfone Buy

Hewlett-Packard announced Dec. 21 that it plans to purchase Bitfone, a privately held company that develops mobile device management software.

The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The purchase is expected to be completed by February 2007, after which Bitfone will be integrated into the Handheld Business Unit of HPs Personal Systems Group, HP officials said.

The acquisition, HP officials said, is part of the companys strategy to increase its mobile enterprise business. It adds another element to HPs device management software portfolio, and is designed to help customers manage their mobile infrastructure in a reliable, secure and cost-effective way, officials added.

“Mobile device management is a key component to driving widespread mobile IT deployments,” said Dave Rothschild, vice president of the Handheld Business Unit at HP in a statement. “With the acquisition of Bitfone, HP adds mobile device management to a comprehensive management suite that already includes servers, desktops and notebooks.”

Bitfone has approximately 134 employees. It is based in Laguna Niguel, Calif., and has offices in Canada, China, Korea and the United Kingdom.

Mobile devices are increasingly becoming part of the core IT infrastructure and there is an increasing need for the devices to fit into existing management systems and frameworks, officials said. Bitfone Chief Executive Officer Gene Wang said his company is looking forward to serving customers under the HP banner.

“As a leading technology innovator in the mobile device management and wireless space, Bitfone has built a world-class software platform over the past six years,” Wang said in the same statement. “We are proud to be joining HP, where we can continue to innovate and provide software solutions that deliver a more compelling mobile experience.”

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