5 Companies That Came To Win This Week

The Week Ending July 31

Topping this week's roundup of companies that came to win is solution provider Logicalis, which pulled off a blockbuster acquisition. Also making the list is Autotask's acquisition of Soonr; a major financing win by a security technology startup; impressive early reports on Intel's next-generation Skylake processor; and Cisco's new CEO, who got a raise.

Not everyone in the IT industry was making smart moves this week, of course. For a rundown of companies that were unfortunate, unsuccessful or just didn't make good decisions, check out this week's Five Companies That Had A Rough Week roundup.

Logicalis Buys MCPc Unit In $42 Million Blockbuster Deal

Solution provider giant Logicalis is expanding its global reach and its technology expertise with a deal announced this week to acquire the $133 million advanced technology integration group (ATIG) of Midwest data center/networking solution provider MCPc for $42 million.

The acquisition bolsters Logicalis' already significant strengths in data center, collaboration, cloud and infrastructure services, as well as augmenting the company's expertise in the health-care, state and local government, and education verticals. Logicalis, No. 27 on the CRN Solution Provider 500, also gains some top-notch salespeople and engineers -- including an elite group of data center technical talent.

Logicalis CEO Vince DeLuca told CRN that more acquisitions are on the horizon -- all focused on transforming the solution provider into a services-driven powerhouse.

Autotask Continues Transformation Into One-Stop MSP Shop With Soonr Acquisition

Logicalis wasn't the only company on the acquisition hunt this week. Professional services automation provider Autotask is expanding its cloud offerings by acquiring Soonr, a provider of cloud-based storage, file-sharing and synchronization applications.

The acquisition continues Autotask's expansion of services for managed service providers that began with the company's acquisition of CentraStage, a supplier of cloud-based remote monitoring and management services, in September 2014.

Cylance Lands $42 Million In Funding For Next-Gen Endpoint Security Technology

Startup Cylance said this week it landed $42 million in Series C financing, money the developer of next-generation endpoint security technology plans to use to expand its marketing efforts and build out its channel program.

Double-digit venture funding announcements have become a regular occurrence in some areas of the IT industry, including big data and security. Still, the $42 million figure certainly made people sit up and take notice.

Cylance's approach does away with the signature-based technology used by traditional endpoint security vendors, relying instead on mathematics and algorithms to identify suspicious behavior.

Intel's Skylake Microprocessor Could Exceed Performance Expectations

Specifications leaked this week about Intel's upcoming sixth-generation, 14-nanometer Skylake microprocessor architecture, hinting that the technology will be everything Intel has been promising, and possibly more.

The processor's advancements, according to specs divulged by Fanless Tech, include improved CPU performance at lower power, 30 percent longer battery life, and new wireless and security features. Most significant is the processor architecture's graphics capabilities, which promise up to 50 percent better 3-D gaming with Intel HD Graphics.

Skylake, which clearly has system builders pumped, will be released sometime later this year.

Cisco CEO Robbins Gets A Raise To $1.15 Million Annual Salary

Chuck Robbins, who just started work as Cisco's new CEO, was certainly a winner this week. He will earn an annual base salary of $1.15 million, according to an 8-K filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission this week. He also will earn a bonus of up to 225 percent of his annual salary under the company's Executive Incentive Plan for fiscal 2016.

Robbins' paycheck is about on par with John Chambers, his predecessor, who earned a base salary of $1.1 million, according to a September 2014 proxy statement. Chambers, who is now chairman of Cisco's board, is now earning a $1 million base salary.