Oracle buys access control apps maker

ORACLE, the most acquisitive company in the software industry, has purchased closely held Bridgestream, acquiring programs that control access to corporate data, researcher 451 Group reports. Bridgestream disclosed the takeover to 451 Group, which tracks technology mergers.

The purchase is the seventh this year for California-based Oracle, the world's third-biggest software maker.

The Bridgestream purchase complements Oracle's acquisition of Bharosa, announced last month, 451 Group research director Steve Steinke says.

With Bharosa, Oracle added software that confirms the identities of users signing on to corporate networks.

Oracle has spent more than $25 billion to acquire 33 companies since its January 2005 takeover of PeopleSoft.

"This fills one of the gaps in Oracle's identity and access management strategy," Steinke says. "There is a trend towards consolidation'' in this area."

Bridgestream chief executive Mark Tice and marketing vice-president Ed Zou didn't return phone calls seeking comment. Oracle spokeswoman Kimberly Pineda also didn't return a call.

Bridgestream, based in San Francisco, makes software that designates what information employees can access based on their job responsibilities.

Source: www.australianit.news.com.au

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