5 Companies That Came To Win This Week
The Week Ending Jan. 25
Topping this week's roundup of companies that came to win is Microsoft, which made a key acquisition in the open-source database market.
Also making the list this week are Pulse Secure for launching a new channel program that better rewards partners for certifications, Asigra for introducing unlimited use subscription licensing, ePlus for expanding its security and governance capabilities with an acquisition, and IBM for reporting its first increase in years in annual sales.
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.
Microsoft's Latest Acquisition Signals Increased Database Focus
Microsoft expanded its technology portfolio in the database arena this week when it acquired Citus Data, a startup with a PostgreSQL-based distributed database that scales to meet the needs of large enterprises.
The acquisition is further evidence of Microsoft's growing commitment to open-source technology and will enable production deployments of PostgreSQL on Microsoft's Azure cloud platform.
Channel partners saw the acquisition as clearly signaling the company's database leanings. It's also in line with the company's $7.5 billion acquisition of open source code repository GitHub last year.
Pulse Secure Revamps Partner Program With Debut Of Rebates, MDF
Pulse Secure wins kudos this week for launching its new Access Now partner program, which rewards solution providers that obtain more certifications with new perks such as rebates and market development funds.
Access Now will, for the first time, make placement in the program’s top two tiers, Elite and Preferred, contingent on the completion of multiple Pulse Secure certifications, Aaron Moroson, director of global channels, said this week.
Overall, partners will be classified based on their proficiency, expertise and growth — part of Pulse Secure’s move to focus more on partners that want to closely engage with the developer of secure access products.
Asigra Introduces Unlimited Use Subscription Licensing In Move That Will Boost Partner Margins
Cloud data protection technology developer Asigra unveiled a new licensing plan for its software that lets channel partners lock in their total licensing costs over a three-year period even as the total number of licenses their customers use increases.
The new Unlimited User Subscription License calculates a service provider's licensing costs based on historical usage. That means the total cost of a service provider's licenses are determined up front for three years, so as partners grow their subscription base they know they will not be paying extra for the new licenses.
The new plan helps boost partner margins and provides partners with pricing clarity and predictability, Asigra said.
ePlus Buys Rival SLAIT To Boost Governance, Risk And Compliance Capabilities
Solution provider ePlus made a significant acquisition this week, buying rival SLAIT Consulting in a move that expands ePlus’ geographic reach and its cybersecurity and data governance capabilities.
SLAIT, an IT consulting and solutions provider firm, has a strong presence in the mid-Atlantic region, including in the Washington D.C. area, especially in state and local education.
While SLAIT has capabilities in security consulting, data center solutions and other areas, ePlus was particularly interested in SLAIT’s expertise in governance, risk management and compliance.
IBM Reports First Annual Revenue Gain Since 2011 As Software Sales Improve
It was by only a small amount, but IBM, which has struggled with declining revenue in recent years, chalked up a victory this week when it reported that revenue for all of 2018 was $79.59 billion, up 0.6 percent from 2017.
It was the first increase in annual revenue for IBM since 2011 when sales reached $106.92 billion. They have declined every year since, by fairly significant amounts through 2016 when they plateaued around $79 billion. Revenue was $79.92 billion in 2016 and $79.14 billion in 2017.
In the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31 IBM reported strong sales in software, especially in cognitive solutions, and increased demand for the company's consulting services.