BMC buys Compuware to create one stop mainframe DevOps shop

BMC buys Compuware to create one stop mainframe DevOps shop

Mainframe fans saw their selection of software vendors shrink a little further this week with BMC snapping up fellow big iron veteran Compuware for an undisclosed sum.

BMC, which is owned by private equity giant KKR, said the combined firm would “help customers better manage their mainframe operations, cybersecurity, application development, data, and storage as part of their enterprise DevOps strategies, as well as provide seamless integration of the mainframe platform development and management processes into the enterprise technology stack.”

Both firms have banged the drum for DevOps on the mainframe over the last few years. This is arguably less as a way of cementing the mainframe in the enterprise – it’s been there for decades – and as much about attracting younger developers to a platform most would associate with their grandparents, if they even recognised what a mainframe was at all.

Chris O’Malley, CEO of Compuware said in a statement, “Both companies have been leaders in mainframe innovation over the last five years and we look forward to combining our complementary solution strengths and common passion for accelerating our customers’ successful digital transformations. Without a doubt, a combined BMC and Compuware is the best, brightest, and most collaborative partner for a new generation of mainframe stewards.”

The deal is the second in less than a month for BMC. It snapped up mainframe services and software firm RSM Partners in mid February.

BMC is not the only firm looking to increase its footprint in the mainframe room. Google bought veteran Dutch mainframe specialist Cornerstone technology last month. At the time, it said the deal would help it build out its “mainframe to GCP” solutions.

At the same time, Google put its finger on one of the big concerns of mainframe owners, saying “many customers want to break their mainframe monolith programs into either Java monoliths or Java microservices. This approach to application modernization is at the heart of the Cornerstone toolset.”