Ingram buys the software it had been licensing since 2013, and in addition gets around 500 skilled Odin employees and greater exposure to telco and carrier channels.
Renee Bergeron, vice president of worldwide cloud computing at Ingram Micro
Distributor Ingram Micro has announced the acquisition of the Parallels Odin Service Automation platform from Parallel Holdings Ltd., along with associated cloud management technologies, intellectual property and the Odin brand. Approximately 500 Odin employees, many of whom are software engineers with cloud expertise, are expected to join the distributor as part of the Ingram Micro Cloud division, under executive vice president Nimesh Dave.
“Today’s a big day for us with this acquisition,” said Renee Bergeron, vice president of worldwide cloud computing at Ingram Micro. “Our cloud platform is absolutely at the core of our cloud strategy. This acquisition is very strategic because it gives us ownership and the ability to go a lot further in terms of cloud ecosystem, including some new channels, like telcos, carriers and the hoster channel.”
The Odin technology has, since 2013, already been the backbone of the Ingram Cloud Marketplace through a licensing agreement with Parallels. The new deal gives Ingram the actual ownership of the software.
“This was a strategic partnership from Day One where we had an equity stake,” Bergeron said. “This was the number one cloud management platform available, and their expertise and talent and skillset are absolutely second to none. For the customer, needing a cloud solution is more than a transaction. It’s about building the entire cloud ecosystem, and combining Ingram and Odin together has all the pieces needed for this. Ingram brings commercial relationships with more than 1700 vendors and cloud service providers, combined with Odin’s software and the ability to expand into their customer base.”
Bergeron also emphasized that Ingram Micro’s ownership of the software will have a significant direct impact on Ingram’s channel customers.
“The benefits for partners as a result of Ingram owning the software is that we can truly accelerate the investments in the platform, and that means more functionality,” she said. “It also means more vendors and cloud service providers will become available. Our customers also want a portal that will let them manage their entire cloud business, and this acquisition allows us to execute on that vision.”
The functionality will build on already announced Cloud Marketplace benefits, such as real-time integration with PSA vendors Autotask and ConnectWise, as well as adding functionality to Marketplace based on partner feedback, so as to allow customers to use terms on credit card payment.
“We are very focused on continuing to improve those kinds of benefits,” Bergeron said.
She also indicated that other Odin customers would also benefit from Ingram Micro’s ownership of the technology.
“In addition to the advantages from our world presence, global reach, financial strength and commitment to the cloud value proposition, now Odin customers can leverage the 1700 commercial relationships with our vendor partners and cloud service providers. They can resell through our commercial relationships, which will be much less labor-intensive for them.”
Bergeron also indicated all existing Odin customers would continue to be supported under Ingram ownership, including other IT distributors.
“There are some regional distributors who have licensed the Odin software, but we are committed to supporting all the Odin customers,” she said. “Most of them are telecommunication companies and carriers.”
The transaction, which is subject to certain closing conditions, is expected to close in December 2015.
