Compuware Corporation is to buy privately held IT governance firm Changepoint for $100m in cash.

The acquisition will augment Compuware's ability to help chief information officers (CIOs) manage scarce resources to maximise IT's value to the business, the company claimed.

Compuware said Changepoint's technology would fit logically with its own IT governance product, designed to allow CIOs to measure the business value of technology investments across distributed and legacy architectures.

Approximately 190 employees are expected to join Compuware and form a new business unit as a result of the acquisition, which is expected to close "in the near future".

Compuware chairman and chief executive Peter Karmanos said in a statement: "Compuware will now be able to offer CIOs unmatched insight and visibility into their people, projects, resources and applications."

Changepoint president and chief executive Gerry Smith added: "Compuware's geographic reach, strong sales infrastructure and brand recognition will allow us to more effectively meet the rising demand for IT governance solutions.

"We're excited about the opportunity this presents for bringing our proven technology into broader markets."