diff --git a/common/source/java/ch/systemsx/cisd/common/utilities/OSUtilities.java b/common/source/java/ch/systemsx/cisd/common/utilities/OSUtilities.java
index 004915dc28cd754426d9a11db0f2d79f4c20c465..85236ea33be0340d0a58095943d6906fecc0059f 100644
--- a/common/source/java/ch/systemsx/cisd/common/utilities/OSUtilities.java
+++ b/common/source/java/ch/systemsx/cisd/common/utilities/OSUtilities.java
@@ -62,6 +62,14 @@ public class OSUtilities
         return System.getProperty("java.vendor").startsWith("Apple");
     }
 
+    /**
+     * @return The name of the computer platform (CPU architecture and OS name).
+     */
+    public static String getComputerPlatform()
+    {
+        return System.getProperty("os.arch") + "-" + System.getProperty("os.name");
+    }
+    
     /**
      * @return The name of user that runs this program.
      */