HP grabs Bitfone

Hewlett Packard has acquired mobile device management software vendor Bitfone for an undisclosed sum.

California-based Bitfone was founded by Gene Wang, its current CEO, and formerly a VP and general manager at Borland. It employs over 130 staff.

The company provides software provisioning for phones and PCs, with both network operators and handset manufacturers using its over-the-air provisioning software. The customer list includes Orange, T-Mobile and 3. HP will integrate Bitfone into its Personal Systems (PCs and handhelds) division.

So HP snatches the company from the clutches of Motorola: a major customer and through its Motorola Ventures arm, an investor too.

HP said it intends to wrap up the acquisition by February 2007. ®