Avnet Jumps For WebSphere, Rational Services Provider

Published: April 9, 2012

by Dan Burger

Mastering the mechanics of managing information technology investments to be properly aligned with business goals is a skill that won't go unrewarded. Ascendant Technology has done a pretty good job with that. Avnet, one of the giant master resellers in the IT business, took notice. Last week Avnet announced it was acquiring Ascendant, a move that emphasizes the importance of services in the current and future IT market.

"Avnet's acquisition of Ascendant Technology is expected to accelerate our global solutions distribution model," said Phil Gallagher, global president of Avnet Technology Solutions. "It supports our strategic focus on enhancing our services and software capabilities to drive growth for our suppliers and value-added resellers."

Ascendant's international business made it exceptionally attractive to Avnet, which is willingly investing in services. Competition is already heated, but it is all but certain to intensify in the near future. Watch for service vendors to become more aggressively target companies that are struggling to match IT investment strategies with business processes and product delivery goals.

According to Avnet sources, Ascendant employs more than 500 business and technical professionals. In addition to its services business, the company also designs software. The combo of software and services focuses on e-commerce, enterprise portal and collaboration, web content management, infrastructure automation, and cloud computing. The company generated revenue of approximately $90 million in the 2011 calendar year, and focuses heavily on IBM's WebSphere software stack and Rational development tools.

Jeff Bawol, president of Avnet Technology Solutions for the Americas region says the software and services that will be put under the company's umbrella will provide its business partners with support in unspecified vertical markets. Avnet partners are primarily focused on infrastructure solutions. Bawol noted application integration expertise as an important aspect of the Ascendant acquisition.

The deal is expected to close within 45 days, at which time the Austin, Texas-based Ascendant will be integrated into the operations of Avnet Technology Solutions.

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