HP acquires Bitfone for mobile enterprise push

Hewlett-Packard Co. announced it will purchase Bitfone Corp. in a move the company said is part of its plan to grow its mobile enterprise business. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
Bitfone develops mobile device management software, technology that allows carriers, handset vendors and others to remotely update the software on users’ phones. Bitfone’s customers include Motorola Inc., Qualcomm Inc., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., LG Electronics Co. Ltd., Freescale Semiconductor, China Mobile and T-Mobile International.
“Mobile device management is a key component to driving widespread mobile IT deployments,” said Dave Rothschild, vice president of HP’s Handheld Business Unit, Personal Systems Group. “With the acquisition of Bitfone, HP adds mobile device management to a comprehensive management suite that already includes servers, desktops and notebooks.”
Bitfone competes against a number of other start-ups that offer similar technology. HP’s acquisition of the company could affect the wireless playground for such offerings, though, as HP brings its considerable resources to bear.