Symantec goes for more share of wallet

Symantec plans to acquire Altiris for $830 million ($33 per share) in cash. Altiris brings IT asset management into the Symantec portfolio as the company continues to reach out beyond its security roots. Symantec has grown through billions of dollars in acquisitions over the last ten years--Relicore, IMlogic, Bindview, Sygate, WholeSecurity, Veritas, Platform Logic, @Stake, LIRIC Associates, TurnTide, Brightmail, ON Technology, PowerQuest, SafeWeb, Nexland, Recourse, Riptech, Security Focus, Mountain Wave, Axent, 20/20 Software, L-3 Network Security, URLabs, Quarterdeck and Binary Research Limited.  It's part of the ongoing consolidation in the marketplace as platforms and ecosystems replace point products, and the big companies get bigger, going for a larger share of the CIO's wallet.