IBM Australia has taken a minority stake in network performance management tools developer NetPriva in order to access applications to supplement its IP integration business.

Under the agreement, network consulting and integration business Cerulean, an IBM Australia company, will market and support NetPriva's NP products, which help clients optimise their network infrastructure by providing per second visibility and control over network performance.

NetPriva acquired the assets of software developer Foursticks in April 2005.

According to Cerulean business development manager, Chris Weber, in addition to its minority stake in NetPriva, Cerulean will have a non-exclusive distribution agreement for much needed applications from the Foursticks stable. "Their product is niche and fills a gap that we had," said Weber. "We can't continue to do just IP infrastructure; customers want value added applications such as the products from Foursticks."

By combining NetPriva technology with Cerulean's network consulting and integration expertise, clients will have access to end-to-end network solutions designed to improve the stability and effectiveness of IT infrastructure, said Cerulean general manager Simon Walsh.

"NetPriva's per second technology plays an important role in the creation of an on demand operating business, by enabling a more responsive, flexible and resilient IT environment," he said.

NetPriva CEO Alan Noble said that IBM's investment demonstrated the growing need for both monitoring and control of Internet Protocol (IP) networks.

"NP's monitoring, control and historical analysis at a per second granularity enable customers to reduce IT support costs, reduce or contain bandwidth costs, and improve user response and productivity," Noble said.

"By joining forces with Cerulean we can help more clients maximize returns on the large investments they make in IT systems and network infrastructure."