Avaya acquires software maker

Lucent Technologies spinoff Avaya said Thursday it will acquire software maker Quintus for $30 million. Quintus, which also filed for bankruptcy protection Thursday, makes customer-relationship management software, which automates front office, sales, marketing and customer service activities.Quintus is the second acquisition by Avaya since spinning off from Lucent. In January, the maker of communications equipment for businesses bought VPNet for $120 million. VPNet makes equipment for virtual private networks, which allow businesses to securely use a public network, including the Internet, to link branch offices and remote workers. As part of the Quintus acquisition, Avaya said it will assume up to $30 million in Quintus' liabilities.