Norton creator Symantec, better known as the Microsoft of the security world, is adding a new company to its expansive brand with the announcement of a definitive agreement to acquire Australian security software developer PC Tools.
Symantec snaps up PC Tools.(IMG:J.anderson)
PC Tools is best known for Spyware Doctor, Registry Mechanic and Desktop Maestro, as well as Threat Fire, a Malware protection add-on for computers designed to bolster AV security. Another PC Tools offering called Threat Expert is a Malware analysis tool that will allow anyone to submit questionable files to be scanned (think VirusTotal), and receive a detailed report back with the results of that scan analysis. Finally, there is an OS X-based AV scanner, which was released earlier this year by PC Tools.
Symantec says that the acquisition is aimed at the expansion of its consumer market portfolio, adding PC Tools’ products to its own offerings.
What is clear is that most of the products PC Tools offers are new to Symantec customers, but it is unclear if they will find their way into a Norton product any time soon. In fact, Symantec said that PC Tools will not be rebranded, and will remain independent.
With branch offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, and the Ukraine, PC Tools employs over 200 people globally. With regard to the merger deal, there has been no mention of staff cuts or additions; however, it is assumed that staff will all remain PC Tools employees and see no change in their status positions.
As mentioned, PC Tools will maintain separate operations within Symantec's consumer business unit, with Simon Clausen, PC Tools CEO, leading the team and reporting to Janice Chaffin, Symantec Group President of Consumer Products. The PC Tools acquisition is the third major purchase recently made by Symantec, which tabled $350 million USD for Vontu in 2007, as well as $850 million USD for Altiris.
While, at the time of the announcement, there were no financial details disclosed by either company, the business deal is expected to be complete by year’s end.
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