IBM says it has agreed to acquire privately held host-based data migration software provider Softek Storage Solutions for an undisclosed sum.

Softek uses its patented Transparent Data Migration Facility (TDMF) technology to move any amount of data from one location to another outside the application layer and across any storage platform or distance, potentially improving speed and quality of the delivery.

The acquisition will help IBM’s Global Technology Services group compete with EMC, said Charlie Andrews, director of system storage marketing for IBM.

“The key thing is the agnostic quality of Softek’s product, but IBM still has to think about a couple of other things now: replication and deduplication,” said IDC analyst Rhoda Phillips.