In a recent acquisition IBM has acquired cloud computing startup Cast Iron Systems as to broad up the delivery of cloud computing services for clients. Cast Iron Systems provides SaaS cloud integration software. Cast Iron Systems provides cloud computing integration appliances for larger and midsized companies including Allianz, NEC, Peet’s Coffee & Tea, Dow Jones, Schumacher Group, ShoreTel, Sports Authority, Time Warner, Westmont University and others.

This acquisition provides IBM’s strong push to the cloud, with IBM expecting the global cloud computing market to raise business and operations by $126 billion by 2012. Cast Iron’s offering helps IBM customers to integrate their cloud-based applications and on-premise systems and advance IBM’s capabilities for a hybrid cloud model. IBM this year too procured data management firm Initiate and Intelliden. Last year, IBM acquired six companies, including Guardium, RedPill Solutions, SPSS, Ounce Labs, Exeros and Outblaze.