As loyal readers know, ChannelE2E closely tracks mergers and acquisitions across the IT channel -- especially those that involve VARs, MSPs, CSPs and channel-friendly technology companies.
Sure, we take note of massive deals like Microsoft buying LinkedIn. But we care far more deeply about channel-centric deals. And so do our readers. The proof: Here are the 10 M&A deals that attracted the most readership on ChannelE2E during the first half of 2016.
PS: AVG Technologies -- owner of Managed Workplace for MSPs -- was acquired today. Keep an eye on our home page for details and analysis shortly and throughout today.
Now, onto the top 10 list of M&A deals that attracted the most readership on ChannelE2E in the first half of 2016...
10. StorageCraft Acquired, Names New CEO (January) The $187 million private equity deal attracted top talent from Dell SonicWall. Our coverage featured interviews with all of the incoming leaders -- including new CEO Matt Medeiros.
9. Ingram Micro Buys Odin (December 2015): The mainstream media largely overlooked this deal's strategic significance. By acquiring Odin, Ingram Micro Cloud now controls its underlying IT platform.
8. Aldridge Buys Arterian, PacketDrivers (February): The Texas-based MSP reached out to Seattle and purchased two key local players. As part of the deal, Arterian now focuses on Microsoft Cloud Solutions Provider opportunities.
7. SolarWinds Acquires LogicNow (June): The deal created SolarWinds MSP, a software division that supports 20,000 MSPs worldwide. The entire market leaned in to understand the deal's implications. Thanks in part to this surprise business combination, ChannelE2E's June 2016 traffic set a monthly record...
6. Barracuda Acquires Sookasa (March): An exclusive story from ChannelE2E. Barracuda disclosed this small tuck-in IP acquisition in an SEC filing. Nobody noticed -- except for ChannelE2E and its readers. After a few weeks of silence, CFO David Faugno offered us some clues on the strategy...
5. Ingram Micro Acquired for $6 Billion (February): The deal that took most folks by surprise. Our coverage included a range of FAQs, memos and company insider perspectives.
4. LogicNow Buys Mac Management Platform (January): This small deal generated big readership, perhaps because MSPs and SMB customers are seeking better Mac management tools.
3. Kaseya Buys Vorex (February) RMM meets PSA. Boy does that sound familiar. But is this deal different? We're still trying to answer that question in a definitive way...
2. Presidio Buys Cisco Partner (January) CEO Bob Cagnazzi, backed by private equity, continues to round out Presidio's IT services portfolio -- including the big buyout of Netech.
1. Dell Sells IT Services Business. Are Quest, SonicWall Next? (March): Michael Dell began selling off some company assets ahead of Dell's big EMC buyout. As our headline predicted, the sale of Quest and SonicWall followed a few weeks later.
Want to track channel-centric M&A deals as they unfold? Stay tuned to ChannelE2E right here.
