Oracle to buy single sign-on vendor Passlogix

IDG News Service - Oracle plans to buy enterprise SSO (single sign-on) technology vendor Passlogix, a move that will boost its portfolio of security offerings. Terms of the deal, which is expected to close this year, were not disclosed.

Oracle already resells Passlogix software as part of its Fusion Middleware portfolio, but the acquisition will allow the technologies to be meshed even more closely together, according to a company statement.

Passlogix's products will also help Oracle "fuel innovation" in SSO, according to a FAQ document released Monday. "Single sign-on requirements are moving from traditional PC-based platforms to mobile devices and the cloud, making paramount the need for a flexible, lightweight, easy to deploy solution that can run anywhere and on any platform," it states in part.

Passlogix's employees are to join Oracle after the deal closes. However, Oracle provided no firm guidance on Passlogix's future product road maps, saying only that a review is now underway and customers will be notified at a later date.

Business should "continue as usual" for Passlogix's partners, which include BMC, Microsoft and Fujitsu, Oracle said.

Overall, the acquisition ties into Oracle's hopes of being a virtual one-stop shop for enterprises following the purchase of Sun Microsystems. That deal gave Oracle the hardware assets required to deliver integrated systems such as its Exadata data-processing machines.

Passlogix's technology fits into another plank in Oracle's strategy, which is to also deliver a comprehensive stack of management, integration and security software fine-tuned for the company's products.

Chris Kanaracus covers enterprise software and general technology breaking news for The IDG News Service. Chris's e-mail address is Chris_Kanaracus@idg.com