OpenPages was one of the pioneering independent GRC software companies, and you always got the feeling a deal could be announced at anytime. So few were surprised when IBM (IBM news) announced it would buy the company in what is likely a relatively small acquisition. The terms were unannounced, but it is likely far from Hewlett-Packard's $1.5 billion deal for ArcSight.

The deal allows IBM to fill out its enterprise suite, adding another layer of risk management and compliance to its analytics offering. Risk management is a front-burner issue like never before, and the time may have been ripe for an OpenPages exit. The ability to paint a comprehensive risk picture--and thus to develop a risk strategy--is a strong marketing draw right now, as more CFOs and CIOs want tools to better understand company-wide exposure.

For IBM, the small, incremental function-adding deals will only grow. Last month, IBM acquired Datacap, an content management software firm. In July, it bought the Big Fix, another security and compliance firm. Other acquisitions include Guardium, Cognos, and several more. This continues the trend of big companies buying smaller GRC-related companies, notably Intel buying McAfee and H-P buying ArcSight.

For more:
- here's the IMB press release

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