CBTS Acquires Software Developer Virtual Blocks Inc.

CBTS, the technology solutions division of Cincinnati Bell Inc. (CBB), has announced the acquisition of Toronto-based Virtual Blocks Inc., a software developer and division of Commerx Computer Systems Inc.

CBTS said the acquisition will strengthen its data center solutions for businesses of all sizes and provide a foundation for continued geographic expansion.

"Joining with Virtual Blocks allows CBTS to extend our successful business model, brand image, and vendor partnerships both inside and outside of the continental United States in order to better serve customers," said John Burns, president of CBTS. "In 2008, CBTS partnered with Virtual Blocks to launch the CBTS Virtual Data Center service, which has received a great deal of interest from current and prospective customers."

The CBTS Virtual Data Center is a utility computing service that allows customers to provision and manage virtual servers in a secure cloud computing environment. Some common uses for the Virtual Data Center include cost-effective virtualized disaster recovery solutions; rapidly deployed test/development environments; on-demand server capacity with utility billing; and managed services including Microsoft Exchange and SharePoint hosting.

Virtual Blocks' product portfolio includes the Virtual Server Grid (VSG) for service providers and large IT organizations and the Virtual In-a-Box Environment (VIBE) for small and medium business customers. The VSG is installed at CBTS and Bell Canada, and the VIBE is distributed across North America by Arrow and Synnex resellers.

The acquisition of Virtual Blocks closed on Jan. 30. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.