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Microsoft Buys Alacris

Microsoft this week acquired certificate management and identity assurance software provider, Alacris Inc. Terms of the deal weren't disclosed.

Alacris' technology focuses on the provisioning, configuration and self-administration of smart cards.

“Through this acquisition, we’re excited to gain technology that makes it easier for customers to take advantage of the smart card capabilities in Windows with tools to simplify smart card life-cycle management," Mike Nash, corporate vice president of the Security Technology Unit at Microsoft, said in a statement.

Microsoft hopes to plug the technology into its authentication and identity infrastructure of Active Directory and Microsoft Certificate Services.

Availability of a beta version of Alacris' technologies will be announced later, Microsoft said.

About the Author

Scott Bekker is editor in chief of Redmond Channel Partner magazine.

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