5 Companies That Came To Win This Week

The Week Ending June 16

Topping this week's roundup of companies that came to win is distributor Tech Data for its pre-configured Azure cloud server that provides SMB-focused solution providers with more cloud options.

Also making the list are Peak 10 for its deal to acquire ViaWest and become a significant cloud service provider with a channel focus, security vendor Cybereason for launching its first channel program, Optiv Security for a series of savvy executive hires, and IoT startup Actility for counting industry heavyweight Cisco among its new investors.

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 5 Companies That Had A Rough Week roundup.

Tech Data Offers SMB-Focused Partners A Leg Up With Pre-Configured Azure Cloud Server

Distributor Tech Data took a significant step this week to help partners provide their SMB customers with expanded cloud services.

Tech Data debuted a pre-configured cloud server, based on Microsoft's Azure, which should make it easier and less expensive for solution providers to support small and midsize clients with public cloud services.

While many small businesses subscribe to such cloud services as Microsoft's Office 365, according to Tech Data executives, many have held off moving additional workloads to cloud systems due to complexity concerns.

The new Azure server offering can be quickly set up using Tech Data's StreamOne cloud provisioning and billing system. Solution providers can set up the servers and deploy and manage them remotely, providing customers with more cloud options that generate higher margins and recurring revenue.

Peak 10 Moves To Acquire ViaWest, Creating A Formidable Cloud Competitor With A Channel Focus

Peak 10 struck a deal this week to acquire cloud service provider ViaWest for $1.67 billion in a move that will create a global co-location, connectivity and managed cloud service provider giant.

The deal will boost Peak 10's competitive position in the crowded cloud services market. Partners applauded the move by Peak 10, a Cisco-powered Infrastructure-as-a-Service provider that takes in about 40 percent of its revenue through indirect sales and is widely seen as channel friendly.

Once the acquisition is complete, Peak 10 will greatly expand its geographical reach, as well as its capabilities, services and skills.

Cybereason Launches First Channel Program As It Preps For Next Growth Phase

Security software vendor Cybereason wins applause this week for launching its first partner program, an initiative led by Gregg Henebry, who joined as the company's first channel chief last month. The company, which develops endpoint detection and response technology, plans heavy investments in MDF and co-marketing events to kick-start the program.

Cybereason wasn't the only security company rolling out a new partner program this week. Strongarm, an automated malware protection software supplier, wins kudos for launching its first partner program to help grow its channel sales from about 50 percent of the company's revenue today to 90 percent a year from now.

Also debuting new partner programs this week were threat intelligence software company Recorded Future and collaboration specialist Prysm.

Optiv Security Builds Executive Ranks With Hires From Symantec, D&H, SecureWorks

Solution provider Optiv Security, which has seen a number of high-level management departures in recent months, made some significant personnel moves this week by appointing new top-level executives from Symantec, SecureWorks and D&H to lead three of its key business initiatives.

Optiv named Anirban Chakravartti as senior vice president of worldwide partner solutions, responsible for leading the company's partner strategy. He joins the company from Symantec where he was global head of strategic partners. Before that he held senior management positions at Cisco, AMD and HP.

Also joining Optiv's management ranks is Doug Steelman, previously CSO at Dell SecureWorks, to lead Optiv's managed services push as vice president of managed security services. And Michael Lines joins Optiv from D&H, where he was chief information security officer, as the security solution provider's new vice president of strategy, risk and compliance advisory services.

IoT Startup Wins $75 Million In Funding With Cisco As An Investor

Actility, a startup in the hot Internet of Things arena, raised $75 million in Series D funding this week with networking giant Cisco among the investors.

Actility, based in Paris, France, develops IoT and machine-to-machine technology and specializes in low-power WAN systems for IoT.

Actility plans to use the additional funding for continued development of industrial IoT technology targeting key vertical industries such as logistics and supply chain management, smart buildings, and energy and utilities.

Cisco has been active in the deployment of low-power WAN technologies and its strategic investment in Actility, in addition to boosting the startup financially, is a big win for Actility's stature.