Microsoft has acquired the assets of Interactive Supercomputing in a deal of undisclosed size, adding to its technology in an area that some of Microsoft's top executives have cited as key to the company's future.

The acquisition, originally reported by peHUB, was confirmed by Microsoft in a blog post. Interactive Supercomputing CEO Bill Blake and others from the company will join Microsoft's New England Research & Development Center in Cambridge, Mass., according to the Microsoft post. Microsoft says it will support current customers of Interactive Supercomputing's Star-P platform, and incorporate its technology into future Microsoft products. Interactive Supercomputing's site now redirects visitors to a Microsoft page.

Interactive Supercomputing, based in Waltham, Mass., specialized in technology for parallel computing -- the ability to separate a computer program into different parts that can be run simultaneously through multiple processors or computers. The approach is commonly used in scientific applications and other programs that work with huge amounts of data.

Craig Mundie, Microsoft's chief research and strategy officer, has said he believes parallel computing will become increasingly important as more everyday devices are embedded with sensors, displays and other technologies that will boost the need for massive amounts of distributed computer processing.

Update: A post on TechFlash sister site Mass High Tech details the funding received by Interactive Supercomputing, including $2 million in venture debt from Silicon Valley Bank, in November of 2008, which added to $18 million in previous venture capital. MHT reports that the company's backers included Ascent Venture Partners of Boston, Fletcher Spaght Ventures of Boston, Flagship Ventures of Cambridge, Rock Maple Ventures of Wellesley and CommonAngels of Lexington.