IBM today announced it has completed the acquisition of Net Integration Technologies Inc. (http://www.nitix.com/), a Toronto, Canada-based, privately held company that offers a complete business server software solution for small and medium-sized businesses. Financial details were not disclosed.

Net Integration Technologies provides server software for small to medium businesses that is simple and easy to maintain. The Net Integration server software solution is designed for businesses with limited or no in-house technical resources and it enables business owners to focus on growing their businesses rather than wasting time and money trying to run their office systems.

IBM will launch a new line of products and solutions for small-medium businesses called IBM Foundations that incorporates both Net Integration and IBM technology. Added to the IBM Lotus Software line, IBM Foundations will provide an all-in-one collaboration platform including email, file management, directory services, firewall, back-up and recovery and office productivity tools.

In addition, IBM Foundations will give system integrators and independent software vendors the opportunity to integrate their new or existing applications into the Foundations platform with minimal effort. Local technology service firms can build new business by offering IBM Foundations with its easy deployment and remote administration capabilities.

Through IBM Foundations, businesses can also access "Bluehouse," a new software-as-a-service offering from IBM that links companies together in a virtual enterprise to help them gain the scale and strength of larger organizations.