Foedus? Yeah, we wondered the same thing.

You might not have heard of this small virtualization shop, but VMware thought enough of the outfit to buy it. VMware polished off the acquisition earlier this month, grabbing Portsmouth, New Hampshire-based Foedus and 30 employees for an undisclosed sum.

Maybe you're very virtualization savvy and have run into Foedus out in the marketplace. We haven't, and were forced to turn to the interweb for aid.

It looks like Foedus offers both consulting services and software for managing virtualized desktop and server systems. For example, the company last Sept. announced a new set of Desktop Optimization services that included onsite training, architecture design for streaming virtual apps to desktops and laptops, and a full-on virtual infrastructure service that included the construction of a production-ready virtual system and training. At the same time, Foedus revealed the GridTalk tool "for tracking SoftGrid application sequencing activities and for package lifecycle."

"GridTrak also streamlines the sequencing documentation process, enabling retention of application configuration state, licensing info, and change history to a standard that withstands regulatory scrutiny," the company said.

You can see where VMware could take such technology as it aims to keep growing revenue at an incredible pace by fattening its services arsenal.

The rest of Foedus' 2006 and 2007 releases look pretty thin. The company struck a virtualization services deal with fault-tolerant server maker Stratus, hired a couple of new executives and held a couple of events.

Overall, the company offers a wide range of consulting plays stretching from the compliance bits mentioned above to remote office work and disaster recovery help. It also does industry specific work in the standard verticals, including healthcare, financial services and retail.

How much did Foedus go for? Inquiring minds would like to know. ®

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