Santa Clara, Calif.-based Network Associates, which has already gobbled up Pretty Good Privacy and Trusted Information Systems, has just signed a definitive agreement to acquire privately-held Secure Networks Inc. (SNI). The acquisition extends Network Associates' network security and management products to include state-of-the-art vulnerability assessment technology. Vulnerability assessment or "security scanning" allows businesses to check the security of their networks before hackers or hostile insiders can steal or damage data. The buy also adds industry leading research expertise in hacker techniques and intrusion detection to Network Associates' rapidly growing arsenal of research labs.

Kemper Buys Maker Of Software

For Insurance, Managed Care

The Kemper Insurance Companies will acquire Pyramid Services Inc., a Danbury, Conn., developer of software products for the insurance and managed care industries. Pyramid's product incorporates claim processing, claim intake, medical bill review, care management and reporting. Pyramid will continue to operate as an independent company.

"The acquisition of Pyramid will deliver two key benefits to Kemper," says Kemper Chairman David Mathis. "First, Pyramid's software development expertise, combined with Kemper's core insurance strengths, allows us to aggressively enhance our position as a premier product and service provider for existing customers and prospects. Second, Pyramid's array of claim administration and risk management systems have an excellent reputation in the industry and create a strong competitive advantage for the sale of stand-alone systems." Kemper is the 16th-largest property-casualty insurer in the US with operations in many foreign markets.

Katrix Technology Licensed By Microsoft

For Interactive Character Animation

Katrix Inc. of Los Angeles has licensed a subset of its 3D character animation technology to Microsoft Corp. for inclusion in a future version of the DirectX component of Windows. DirectX makes it easier for developers of games and other interactive software applications running under the Windows OS to incorporate multimedia features into their programs. The real-time inverse kinematics technology licensed from Katrix complements the current functionality of DirectX by enabling application developers to add human-like 3D characters that can automatically interact with their environment and the end user. Characters created with Katrix authoring tools can be transported between and used in a variety of applications.

FARO To Acquire German Software

Company For $20 Million

FARO Technologies Inc. of Lake Mary, Fla., is acquiring privately-held Computer Aided Technologies GmbH (CATS) of Karlsruhe, Germany, for $20 million in cash and stock. CATS will become a wholly owned subsidiary of FARO and will operate as a separate entity. CATS delivers world class CAD-based 3D measurement retrofit software, system level measurement, quality control, and dimensional statistical process control software, enabling integrated design and manufacturing to be performed. FARO says it will benefit from CATS' extensive early stage installations in the major German automotive companies and many of their primary vendors. FARO specializes in portable 3D manufacturing measurement systems.

SLM Software Makes Bid For

Milkyway Networks

Toronto-based SLM Software Inc. is acquiring Milkyway Networks Corp., also of Toronto. The buy supports SLM's growth strategy and provides the company with communications security elements to facilitate its long-term electronic commerce strategy. "Milkyway gives SLM a serious play in the leadership market of Internet security, assuring our clients that we will always have state-of-the-art security solutions integrated into our products," says Govin Misir, Chairman of SLM. Milkyway makes Internet security systems including "SecurIT" UNIX and NT Firewalls, Virtual Private Networks and encrypted Internet tunnels. SLM's ESP-Link products handle online transaction management.

Buys Gives Inforonics E-Commerce

Business Solutions Expertise

Inforonics Inc. of Littleton, Mass., has acquired Dunbarton Business Software Inc., a developer of Internet-based tools designed to help companies increase sales and productivity via electronic commerce. According to Bruce Buckland, Inforonics president, "Combining Inforonics' Internet expertise with Dunbarton's Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) capabilities establishes Inforonics as a force in the E-commerce space overnight. Dunbarton lets us offer EDI capabilities exactly where they are needed, as part of a corporation's overall E-commerce strategy." Inforonics provides CD-ROM and Internet publishing technologies to businesses.

Peregrine Systems To Acquire Leading

Provider Of Facilities Automation

San Diego-based Peregrine Systems Inc. is acquiring Innovative Tech Systems Inc. in a deal that will bring extensive facilities management capabilities to PSI's Infrastructure Management product line. Under terms of the agreement, Innovative Tech will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of PSI. The acquisition expands PSI's Infrastructure Management suite to include facilities management software and remote data collection systems to automate the tracking and management of facilities, cable and technology, assets, maintenance and operations, space design, security, and life safety. Innovative Tech of Warminster, Pa., is best known for its SPAN*FM Facility & Technology Management Software and Remote Data Collection Systems.