Chicago-based startup Ifbyphone Inc. is buying fledgling Cloudvox to bolster its open-source “cloud telephony” strategy.

Financial terms of the deal, announced on Wednesday, were not disclosed, as both companies are privately held. But the acquisition will accomplish a couple of important aims for Ifbyphone, which automates phone calls – landline and Internet – through apps. To wit, hosting service Cloudvox develops Asterisk apps (what some outlets describe as “phone building blocks”) that let Web developers control calls without having to add equipment. With Cloudvox, Ifbyphone now bulks up its apps portfolio and it can better scale the back end for voice applications.

“We’re sending a message to businesses of every size: If you’re interested in using telephone applications to automate sales, marketing, business processes, and Web applications, we’re the place to start,” Irv Shapiro, CEO of Ifbyphone, said.

Companies have some options when it comes to using Ifbyphone and Cloudvox. They can rent applications from Ifbyphone or use Cloudvox’s capabilities to build their own apps “and still take “advantage of our cloud infrastructure and phone expertise,” Shapiro said.

Cloudvox works with existing Asterisk applications and software.

Ifbyphone distributes through channel partners including resellers and carriers.