Symantec to Acquire Altiris for $830m

Security software vendor Symantec announced Monday it has agreed to acquire Altiris, a maker of asset management software, in a cash deal valued at about $830 million. Altiris counts Dell, IBM and Microsoft as partners who sell its products to businesses.

Altiris' software helps companies manage and service the desktops, laptops, and other devices used by employees. It also enables them to keep track of back-end infrastructure such as servers and storage hardware. Symantec says the acquisition fits into the company's vision of unified security, as Altiris software makes it easier to know when a system is vulnerable or needs upgrading.