Lenovo acquires classroom cloud specialist Stoneware

PC maker Lenovo has acquired unified cloud building company Stoneware for an undisclosed sum.

Indiana-based Stoneware was set up in 2000 and specialises in the manufacture of cloud computing and classroom management software.

The vendor's flagship webNetwork offering allows users to build unified clouds that can be used to deliver private and public cloud services that can be accessed through their desktops.

In a statement, announcing the deal, Lenovo said it will use Stoneware's technologies to expand its cloud offerings and win more business in the education and public sector markets.

The company said it also plans to extend the capabilities of Stoneware's products to develop consumer cloud services over time.

"Lenovo is aggressively expanding its product offerings and capabilities to help people and businesses connect across any device to the content and communities that matter most to them," said the Lenovo statement.

"Customers simply want a better way to connect their PC with their tablet with their smartphone, and with Stoneware, Lenovo aims to help them get there."

The company said all of Stoneware's 60 US-based employees are expected to move across to Lenovo and that it is not anticipating any job losses.

The deal is set to close by the end of 2012.

Peter Hortensius, senior vice president of the product group at Lenovo, said: "Adding Stoneware cloud computing into the Lenovo line up presents a significant opportunity to...enhance our PC+ offerings, all to the benefit of our customers.

"We have a history of innovation and embracing new technologies, and the talented team at Stoneware will fit in perfectly with our long-term strategy," he added.