Sun To Acquire Identity-Management-App MakerSun To Acquire Identity-Management-App Maker

Sun Microsystems says it will purchase identity-management and provisioning software maker Waveset Technologies Inc. for an unspecified amount of cash.

According to Sun, the deal is expected to close by year's end. Waveset will be integrated into Sun's software unit.

Waveset is known for its Lighthouse app, which provides user-access provisioning, password management, end-user identity-profile management, and identity and access-audit and reporting capabilities. Waveset also provides Directory Master, which helps companies simplify directory data migration, synchronization, and centralized directory and user management.

Yankee Group senior analyst Eric Ogren says the identity-management market appears overcrowded, with dozens of vendors fighting for stagnant market share. The Waveset acquisition will help Sun better compete with vendors with more complete identity-management product suites, such as IBM/Tivoli, he says. "I expect more consolidation in the identity management market, which is now a flat market, as smaller companies who need capital start looking to be acquired."