Tech Data Corp. formally launched an integrated security practice for the Americas today that combines resources from its legacy business with assets from its Avnet Technology Solutions (ATS) unit.
The Clearwater, Fla.-based distributor acquired Avnet Technology Solutions, which is now known simply as Technology Solutions, last September. That transaction closed in February.
The newly integrated Americas security practice unveiled today, which effectively doubles Tech Data’s security-focused offerings, turns 2 specialist business units into 1. Those groups have been operating as a single organization under the leadership of Alex Ryals, an ATS veteran who is now vice president of security and networking, since before the recent spring gathering of the company’s TechSelect partner community in Savannah, Ga. Today’s announcement makes that arrangement official.
“Assembling a comprehensive security portfolio is a part of our ongoing commitment to our partners to develop best-in-class solutions and tools to help them grow, protect, and build their businesses. It also marks our continued progress in the successful integration of Technology Solutions,” said Joe Quaglia, president for Tech Data in the Americas, in a press statement. “Given the increased frequency of widespread ransomware incidents and daily reports of cyberattacks, security is top of mind for everyone. Providing security solutions is a high priority for our organization, and we are excited to offer new and expanded capabilities in this critical space.”
The new security organization will focus on end point, perimeter, and data/application protection, as well as identity and access management solutions and security intelligence.
It will also provide access to more than 30 security-related vendors, hundreds of security products, unique intellectual property and integration programs, assessment services, extensive vertical market expertise, and training courses for both partners and end users.
“The ability to deliver effective security solutions may start with product offerings on a line card, but it also requires strong knowledge and services. It’s this combination of capabilities that gives our partners strength,” said senior vice president for strategy and specialist business units Sergio Farache in today’s prepared remarks. “Our team has worked tirelessly to make sure our end-to-end security offerings are the best in the business and have created a robust security portfolio to provide partners with everything they need to develop a successful security practice.”
That portfolio includes Recon, a managed security solution introduced by Avnet last November that provides 24×7 monitoring and management backed by a virtual security operations center. Tech Data can dispatch technicians from Cisco Systems Inc., Check Point Software Technologies Ltd., and Fortinet Inc. to address any issues that operations center detects.
Today’s announcement is the most recent milestone in an ongoing campaign to integrate Avnet Technology Solutions with Tech Data’s existing operations. According to Quaglia, at least, that effort has made strong progress in a short time and earned high marks from the company’s vendor and reseller partners.
“As of right now, things are moving along really, really well,” he told ChannelPro earlier this month.
