On 11 December 2009, Microsoft’s Server and Tools Business announced that it has acquired Opalis Software, a privately owned IT run book automation (RBA) vendor founded in 1999 and headquartered in Toronto. Microsoft did not disclose the terms of the deal.

Opalis provides Microsoft with a product specifically designed to automate and orchestrate IT operations management processes through the integration of IT operations tools and software. This will enable Microsoft to compete with vendors that already provide RBA capabilities, including BMC Software, CA, Citrix, HP, IBM Tivoli, NetIQ and VMware.

Microsoft will likely bring the Opalis Integration Server to market quickly, as Opalis is already one of its partners and already provides good integration with Microsoft’s Systems Center Operations Manager 2007. To support its data center automation strategy, which includes plans for automating data center processes across physical, virtual and cloud-based environments, Microsoft will also integrate Opalis functionality with other Systems Center products (such as Configuration Manager).

In addition to the integration with Microsoft adapters, Opalis’ product is integrated with many other IT operations vendor tools. This could provide Microsoft with opportunities to enter new accounts dominated by its competitors or to further penetrate accounts where it has only a partial presence; however, Microsoft must commit to augmenting, enhancing and maintaining the non-Microsoft product integration or these opportunities will not occur. Also, competing vendors thatsupported "neutral" Opalis with integration efforts will likely be less willing to cooperate with Microsoft.

The Opalis RBA product, which has an installed base of over 300 clients, will be sold as part of the Server Management Suite Datacenter (SMSD) product bundle. This bundle already includes Systems Center Operations Manager 2007, Systems Center Configuration Manager 2007, Systems Center Data Protection Manager 2007 and Systems Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008. Microsoft SMSD clients can access the Opalis Integration Server as part of their existing license agreement, and Opalis clients will receive licenses for all SMSD products. IT organizations looking to purchase an RBA product from Microsoft will need to purchase the entire SMSD product bundle.

• Microsoft customers: Evaluate how the Opalis tool can help build process integration between Microsoft products, or between Microsoft products and other processes and solutions. If you are considering RBA products, start with Microsoft/Opalis, then evaluate and compare alternatives.
• Opalis customers: Ensure that existing agreements and product development road maps are still valid and that integration with non-Microsoft software will continue to be enhanced and supported. Seek to renegotiate software maintenance contracts immediately.
• RBA prospects: If you have already invested in Microsoft Systems Center products, include Microsoft on your evaluation shortlists.

• "RBA Tools Reach the Peak of Inflated Expectations"— After their rapid adoption of RBA tools, many IT organizations are discovering new challenges with the tool vendors, the tools themselves and their own organizations. By David Williams
• "IT Operations Run Book Automation: The Evolving Vendor Landscape"— IT operations RBA vendors focus on specific aspects of IT operations process automation, so enterprises embarking on an RBA initiative should understand how their strategy aligns with the enterprises'. By David Williams

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