Ingram Micro Inc. - Experts & Thought Leaders

Opengear, a Digi International company and pioneer in out-of-band management solutions, has signed its first pan-European distribution agreement with Ingram Micro, one of the world’s largest technology distributors. The agreement will give resellers in participating Ingram Micro countries access to Opengear’s portfolio, supported by Ingram Micro's regional infrastructure, logistics capabilities and partner network. This expands Opengear’s existing reach in the UK, Ireland, Spain, Germany, Italy, France, Belgium and Luxembourg, and brings its network resilience platform to resellers and end-users in additional European markets, such as Switzerland, Hungary, and Czech Republic. Increasing regional availability “This agreement with Ingram Micro marks a significant milestone in Opengear’s EMEA growth strategy,” said Alan Stewart-Brown, VP of Sales, EMEA and APAC, Opengear. “Ingram Micro gives us the regional scale to put Opengear products and expertise closer to our partners. That means increased regional availability, local support, and a simpler way to protect critical infrastructure across EMEA.” Opengear supports secure out-of-band access to network infrastructure, helping IT teams monitor, manage, and recover critical equipment when the primary network is unavailable, offering strong presence and proximity to connected network devices. Connected network devices Ingram Micro will provide pre-sales and post-sales support through its EMEA partner network. Partners will also have access to training, accreditation, channel enablement, and incentive programmes. The agreement also enables resellers to add Opengear’s network resilience solutions to their existing enterprise networking portfolios. “Opengear addresses a growing need in today’s market: helping organizations to maintain resilient, secure and recoverable networks in an increasingly complex operating environment,” said Renke Kruger, Executive Director Pan Europe, Ingram Micro. Applicable regulatory approvals “We’re proud to extend the reach of Opengear’s market-leading solutions across EMEA through our partner ecosystem, enabling resellers to deliver proven, trusted technologies that safeguard business continuity during disruptions and simplify and strengthen day-to-day network operations.” Opengear products will be available through participating Ingram Micro countries from 1 October, subject to country-specific availability and any applicable regulatory approvals and certifications. Resellers interested in adding Opengear to their portfolio should contact their Ingram Micro account manager for availability, pricing, and partner program information.

BCD Ffounder and Chief Executive Officer - Jeff Burgess has officially announced his retirement. Burgess, who turned 66 on July 25, 2023, began his computer career back in 1979 after landing a warehouse job at Tek-Aids Industries, an IT computer distributor that carried brands such as Altos, Wyse, and Okidata. Within months, he was moved to the sales desk, and within six years was named Vice President of Sales.   Extensive industry experience After leaving the company years later, he went to Elek-Tek, the Chicago mega-retailer, helping kickstart their corporate sales division. Burgess was responsible for Elek-Tek’s gaining a single-tier distribution agreement with Unisys Corporation, to sell their Goldstar OEM personal computers directly to Unisys’ mainframe customers.  After Elek-Tek, Burgess moved to Hartford Computer Group (Inverness, IL) and, worked closely with IBM, directing the team helping to land the $200 million State Farm account for Hartford, along with multi-million-dollar accounts with General Electric and many of the GE Capital companies.  Started Burgess Computer Decisions, Inc. Burgess also began building high-availability Hewlett Packard servers for his IT customers After twenty years of working for others, Burgess opened Burgess Computer Decisions, Inc. (BCD) in 1999 as an IT Value Added Distributor, working directly with Ingram Micro and Tech Data as inventory providers, blind-shipping goods directly to his customers. Burgess also began building high-availability Hewlett Packard servers for his IT customers, among those the same GE Capital companies to whom he had worked closely in the past. In 2008, he recognized the opportunity for a customized IT server builder in the still-new video surveillance market and took the company along that path. Video surveillance storage systems Burgess leaves BCD as the worldwide pioneer in purpose-built video surveillance storage systems with over 175,000 recorders of all shapes and sizes capturing video in 91 countries and countless vertical markets.  And is amongst the most secure facilities globally, along with the coolest brands in the world. Chances are that users will pass a BCD-protected facility a couple of times a day.  Accolades and awards BCD captured many industry awards and recognition during Burgess’ tenure, being named among Inc. Magazine’s Top 5000 companies five times. BCD also received Computer Reseller News’  Solution Provider 500 six times, including CRN’s  Fast Growth 150 three consecutive years, Crain’s Chicago Business Largest Privately Held Companies four times, and what Burgess was most proud of, being named a combined ten times from Chicago’s Best & Brightest Companies, Best & Brightest Companies in the Nation, and Best Places to Work in Illinois.  Philanthropy Philanthropy was an important part of Burgess’ tenure, offering employment to interns Philanthropy was an important part of Burgess’ tenure, offering employment to interns who became future employees from College Bound Opportunities (CBO), and supporting such causes as Folds of Honor, Wings (domestic violence), Orphans of the Storm (pet shelter), Girl Scouts, and college scholarships for local community high school seniors, as well as in-house college reimbursement programs for all employees.    “It’s been a great run, especially considering where I was in my life before getting that warehouse job forty-three years ago," stated Jeff Burgess. Burgess comments He adds, "What I find most rewarding is that we were able to give so many people an opportunity, as was given to me all those decades ago. And especially considering my two sons not only work here but have earned key positions here. Plus, my daughter worked here in past summers as well.”  Jeff Burgess continues, “I leave having tremendous respect for all those team members committed to our purpose, and knowing we all mutually made a positive difference in people’s lives, both inside and outside the organization." In addition to traveling and playing golf with his wife Joanne, Burgess plans to spend his time with their family, their dogs, and their grand dogs.

Videonetics, the world’s first AI & DL powered Unified Video Computing Platform (UVCP™) development company announced the signing of a distribution agreement with Ingram Micro, the global pioneer in technology and supply chain services. Headquartered in the United States and representation in 59 countries, Ingram Micro has an established network of 35K+ associates and serves 170K+ customers globally. Ingram Micro will distribute Videonetics AI & DL powered Intelligent VMS, Video Analytics, Intelligent Traffic Management System, and MeraFace™ – Facial Recognition System, through their expansive channel partners network across India. Having a market leadership as #1 VMS provider in India and top 5 in Asia, Videonetics is all set to consolidate and further expand its market share, through this alliance.  Supplying state-of-the-art unified solutions This strategic collaboration will boost our presence in the market hence accelerating our growth plans in India" On this appointment, Avinash Trivedi, VP – Business Development of Videonetics expressed, “At Videonetics, our partners and system integrators play an instrumental role in working closely with end customers. We are delighted to engage our distribution relationship with Ingram Micro.” “This strategic collaboration will boost our presence in the market, by developing a strong bond with channel partners & resellers and delivering our state-of-the-art unified solutions to them, hence accelerating our growth plans in India.” Delivering AI-based video management solutions & analytics Commenting on the partnership, Jayant Gundewar - Executive Director and Head of Advanced Solutions business at Ingram Micro India said that “Ingram Micro is pleased to add Videonetics as one of the fastest-growing Indian companies in the security system portfolio.” “Videonetics is committed to delivering flexible, cost-efficient, and reliable AI-based video management solutions & analytics to meet the complex needs of the surveillance industry. With this strategic and technological integration, we will deliver holistic solutions to our partners for achieving optimal outcomes and to expand market reach.”

Merger and acquisition activity has become a familiar topic in the physical security market. In 2016, SourceSecurity.com covered M&A news involving some of the industry’s largest companies, including high-profile names such as Tyco, Honeywell, Hikvision, ADT, and Ingram Micro. Here’s a look at the top 10 M&A stories in 2016, as covered by SourceSecurity.com:   1. Johnson Control And Tyco merge Johnson Controls and Tyco announced their merger into one company with annual revenue of $32 billion. Johnson Controls, a global multi-industrial company, combined with global fire and security provider Tyco to create a leader in building products and technology, integrated solutions and energy solutions. Johnson Controls previously had a small presence in the physical security market, but their products have mostly centered around building controls, HVAC and energy storage technology. For its part, Tyco’s focus on video, access control and alarm systems has expanded to consider those systems in the context of broader building systems. The trend toward convergence in the building market is the common ground for these companies, and a major driver in their decision to merge under the name Johnson Controls. 2. Honeywell Acquires Xtralis And RSI Video Technologies Industry giant Honeywell agreed to acquire Xtralis, a global provider of aspirating smoke detection and advanced perimeter security technologies and video analytics software, for $480 million from funds advised by Pacific Equity Partners and Blum Capital Partners. Honeywell saw Xtralis' systems as complementing their growing Security and Fire business. A month or so later, Honeywell also acquired RSI Video Technologies, provider of the Videofied Intrusion Detection System, for $123 million. Upon completion of the acquisitions, both would become part of Honeywell Security and Fire. Honeywell also made headlines for a deal that didn’t happen. It seems Honeywell wanted to merge with UTC, but UTC declined because of “insurmountable regulatory obstacles and strong customer opposition.” 3. Ingram Micro Acquired By Chinese Conglomerate Ingram Micro Inc. and Tianjin Tianhai Investment Company, Ltd. announced a merger agreement under which Tianjin Tianhai would acquire Ingram Micro for $38.90 per share in an all-cash transaction with an equity value of approximately $6 billion. Ingram Micro would become a part of HNA Group, a Hainan-based Fortune Global 500 enterprise group and a leader in aviation, tourism and logistics and the largest stockholder of Tianjin Tianhai. ADT holds the largest share of the U.S. residential security market, and a respectable small business presence 4. ADT Merges With Protection 1 ADT, the well-known home and small business security company, which traces its history back to 1874, agreed in 2016 to be acquired by private equity firm Apollo Global Management, and would merge with competitor Protection 1, a subsidiary of Apollo-owned Prime Security Services Borrower LLC. The announcement comes amid rapid changes in the residential security and home automation market, much of it driven by emerging Internet of Things (IoT) technology. ADT holds the largest share of the U.S. residential security market, and a respectable small business presence. Protection 1 began in 1991 when it was spun off from PacifiCorp., a power utility. It grew rapidly, largely through acquisition, into a full-service business and home security company. 5. Konica Minolta Acquires Majority Shares Of MOBOTIX Konica Minolta, Inc. entered into a share transfer agreement to acquire shares comprising about 65% ownership of German manufacturer MOBOTIX, developer of technologies including decentralized processing (edge computing) IP cameras, image data compression, and image data analytics. The deal was estimated at between $177 million and $265 million. Konica Minolta seeks to broaden the distribution of MOBOTIX products and solution services by leveraging its global direct sales network and after-sales support and services systems. 6. Hikvision Acquires Pyronix Hikvision, the world’s largest video surveillance manufacturer, announced the acquisition of Pyronix, the UK-based intrusion alarm security firm. Hikvision planned to apply Pyronix expertise and know-how in intrusion detection systems to its leading position in the video surveillance market. The combined know-how of Hikvision and Pyronix seeks to bring new advancements and innovative products to the market, converging two security technologies in video surveillance and intrusion detection. 7. Merger Creates AlliedUniversal Brand AlliedBarton Security Services and Universal Services of America agreed to merge, combining to do business under the AlliedUniversal brand. The combined company offers clients localised response and national support using technology solutions and approximately 140,000 highly-trained officers. The combined company is expected to have total annual revenues of approximately $4.5 billion. AlliedUniversal brand offers clients localised response and national support 8. Acre Acquires Two Companies ACRE, LLC, the holding company that owns Vanderbilt Industries and Mercury Security, made two more acquisitions this year. Through its subsidiary Vanderbilt, a global provider of state-of-the-art security systems, Acre acquired Access Control Technology Ltd (ACT), based in Dublin, Ireland. This purchase would enhance Vanderbilt’s strategic expansion plans for strengthening its access control business and product portfolio. Later in the year, Acre also announced plans to acquire Communication Networks LLC (dba ComNet), a manufacturer of video and data transmission equipment. The acquisition of ComNet builds on the ACRE family of companies, providing complementary communication technologies utilised across its access control, intrusion, video, and cloud-based product ranges. 9. Gemalto To Buy 3M’s Identity Business Gemalto, a provider of digital security, agreed to acquire 3M's Identity Management Business for US $850 million; it will become part of Gemalto Government Programs. 3M's Identity Management Business is comprised of 3M Cogent Inc., which provides a full spectrum of biometric solutions with a focus on civil identification, border control and law enforcement, and 3M's Document Reader and Secure Materials Businesses. 10. Bosch And Sony Partner Up Although technically not a merger or acquisition, Bosch Security Systems and Sony signed a contract to establish a business partnership to collaborate in the development of products and solutions in the field of video security applications, beginning in 2017. Bosch will handle the sales and marketing globally for all of Sony’s video surveillance products (outside of Japan). The two companies will also pool their technology expertise, leveraging Sony’s imaging capabilities and Bosch’s analytics and networking strengths. See the full coverage of 2016/2017 Review and Forecast articles hereSave Save Save