Perhaps Yahoo has started a trend.  Yesterday, we learned that the company will shut down part of a business it bought two and a half years ago.  Today, there's word that Microsoft's sold some things it picked up while acquiring Fast Search & Transfer in early 2008.

It's important to note that this deal isn't going to cripple Bing or give birth to another Google competitor; Microsoft's not getting rid of any secret search ingredient.  Instead, the Folio and NXT products and services, which "facilitate the management of online content," are what were sold.

This move does indeed seem reminiscent of Yahoo's newfound approach of cutting non-core offerings, then.

Whereas Yahoo's just sort of abandoning the Right Media Exchange, though, Microsoft's handed the Folio and NXT businesses off to Rocket Software for safekeeping.  Rocket Software CEO Andy Youniss said in a statement, "We are pleased that Microsoft selected us to take over the development, service, and support for all Folio and NXT customers.  This is a great fit for Rocket, and we look forward to working with the customers to provide the features and functions they need to be successful with their investment in the products."

Unfortunately, the terms of the deal were not disclosed.

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