Mergers and Acquisitions, MSP

SolarWinds Buys LogicNow: Retains Key MSP Influencers, Makes Big Data Push

LinkedIn: HarmonyPSA Chairman Alistair Forbes
Alistair Forbes
Walter Scott

When SolarWinds confirmed the LogicNow acquisition today, many MSPs asked me if key LogicNow employees -- including MSP market influencers -- have been retained. Although I don't have a complete list of LogicNow's payroll, I believe the key players remain in place.
Among the names to know:

  • Walter Scott, formerly CEO of LogicNow, shifts to Executive VP of the newly formed SolarWinds MSP business.
  • LogicNow GM Alistair Forbes also joins the SolarWinds MSP business as Managing Director.
  • LogicNow Senior Director of Partner Community and Field Marketing Dave Sobel also joins the merged organization, though ChannelE2E has not confirmed his new title.

Scott, by the way, reports directly to SolarWinds CEO Kevin Thompson. Most of today's buzz involves SolarWinds MSP offering an extensive portfolio of MSP-centric services -- though some MSPs are concerned about RMM software overlap.

SolarWinds Buys LogicNow: Where Big Data Fits In

Still, another key wrinkle involves SolarWinds gaining big data-centric software, called LogicCards. Launched in 2015, LogicCards combines machine learning and big data analytics to help MSPs spot additional revenue opportunities. Like an App system, SolarWinds MSP is expected to roll out more and more types of LogicCards.

Describing the big data opportunity for SolarWinds and MSPs, Forbes said:

“SolarWinds MSP will serve the largest community of the world’s leading MSPs and the collective intelligence that we can derive from this will give us a comprehensive view of the market that has even been present in any organization, Our analytics capability means that we are in a unique position to turn this massive data resource into actionable insights for our MSP customers.”

Building on that theme, Forbes said SolarWinds MSP will layer data analytics and advanced cybersecurity capabilities on top of "the strong foundations of our IT services management and automation solutions." The offerings will leverage both on-premises and cloud platforms that bolster MSP businesses.

SolarWinds Buys LogicNow: Who's Managing M&A?

Admittedly, sorting through M&A won't be easy. Much of the responsibility will come down to Walter Scott and JP Jauvin, GM, SolarWinds N-able. We'll share more thoughts on that shortly.

Joe Panettieri

Joe Panettieri is co-founder & editorial director of MSSP Alert and ChannelE2E, the two leading news & analysis sites for managed service providers in the cybersecurity market.