The Deal: Systems management software manufacturer BMC Software Inc. has agreed to purchase OptiSystems, a maker of enterprise application management software for mainframe computer systems, for $70 million in cash. According to the terms of the deal, BMC will pay slightly over $11 in cash for each OptiSystems share. After the news of the acquisition was announced, shares of OptiSystems rose $1 each, to $9.375, and shares of BMC rose 31.25 cents, to $43.25.

Discussion: OptiSystems Solutions designs, develops, markets and supports computer products that manage and enhance software performance on mainframe systems. The company's software line revolves around its Energizer technology. Energizer products marketed by the company run on IBM and SAP application and system software. The Energizer software is designed to manage computing workloads and maximize data processing throughput.

Although mainframe-related utilities software and services still account for more than two-thirds of sales, BMC Software is moving past a reliance on the larger, mature systems to focus on corporate networked computers. BMC's more than 350 software products optimize database performance, eliminate unplanned outages, predict and remove computer bottlenecks and recover system assets. The company's customers include Boeing, the U.S. Postal Service and Federal Express. The company is growing through acquisitions and expanding its products into the e-business management realm.