HP snaps up UK software licensing specialist

Hewlett-Packard on Tuesday said it acquired FH Computer, a UK-based company that specialises in software management and licensing.

Under terms of the deal, FH Computer Services will become a wholly-owned subsidiary and operate as part of the customer support division of the HP Services organisation.

The two companies have been working on a licence management service, designed to let organisations monitor and manage their IT assets and ensure compliance with regulations and laws. This offering will become part of HP's set of software licensing and management products.

"Organisations are becoming aware of the issue of software licensing and management, both as part of a wider asset management program - designed to maximise the profitability of the business - and in response to the increasingly challenging legislative and regulatory environment," Mike Rigodanzo, HP senior VP for customer support, said in a statement.