Web development tool producer, Macromedia have agreed a merger with Allaire in a move that could help companies to create web content that can be accessed on multiple devices besides PC's.

Allaire also makes software that develops and manages web content and the companies are looking at offering combined products that would include server, authoring and playback software.

The Macromedia name will be retained, however some of the Allaires products will be adopted to compliment products such as Dreamweaver and Flash.

These two companies have worked together for some time now and have already by previously bundling its application server with Flash and building an integrated toolkit for developing content. They now intend to bring the ColdFustion development platform into line with Sun Microsystems J2EE standard. Macromedia is also looking at develping a set of application services that build on software platforms such as Java and Microsoft's .NET.

The are also aiming to develop products that will enable programmers to create applications and web content that can be used on handheld computers and cell phones as well as PCs.