An agreement has been signed in principle by Mainline Information Systems, Inc. and Cornerstone Systems, Inc. announced today that they have signed, in which Mainline Information Systems will acquire Cornerstone Systems. This transaction will join two leading “True Blue” IBM Premier Business Partners.

President and CEO for Mainline, Rick Kearney, declared: “As ‘True Blue’ partners, both Mainline and Cornerstone provide comprehensive technology solutions based only on industry-leading IBM platforms”. “This acquisition allows us to combine nearly four decades of experience, the expertise of the industry’s best System z technical professionals, along with nearly 700 employees who focus on delivering infrastructure solutions, such as business continuance, virtualization, security and optimization to our clients.”

President of Cornerstone, Herb Chittum, commented: “Joining the strength of Mainline and Cornerstone means many advantages for customers”. “Expanded local technical coverage and more extensive customer care and support, combined with continued excellence in solution delivery are just some of the benefits customers will experience.”

By delivering technology encompassing the entire IBM System Server and System Storage product lines, including entry-level and midrange platforms, Mainline and Cornerstone have both built strong partnerships with IBM and established a cross-industry customer base, while this acquisition is centered on combining the two companies’ System z (mainframe) solution practices.

The companies will be working, over the next several weeks, on transition and integration plans with an intended close by end of June 2008. Mainline and Cornerstone’s existing operations and locations are complimentary to one another and will remain intact.