Category: News

Trend Micro released survey results confirming that the pandemic has accelerated digital transformation for 88 per cent of global organisations. However, this increase in cloud adoption may leave business data insecure.

Trend Micro commissioned Sapio Research to interview 2565 decision-makers in 28 countries, across several industry sectors, and from organisations of all sizes, with a focus on large enterprise.

The outfit says that its survey confirms a misconception that can lead to serious security consequences. While cloud infrastructure is secure, customers are responsible for securing their own data – which is the basis of the Shared Responsibility Model for cloud.

Trend Micro’s Veep of cloud research  Mark Nunnikhoven said: “But the survey findings also highlight the challenges remaining with understanding security in the cloud. Cloud adoption is not a ‘set it and forget it’ process, but takes ongoing management and strategic configuration to make the best security decisions for your business.” Read more…

After four years stuffed in the portfolio of Chinese aviation and shipping conglomerate HNA Group, Ingram Micro is in US paws.

Ingram Micro is being acquired by Platinum Equity HNA Group in a $7.2 billion deal.

HNA looking to divest itself of some of its foreign investments to refocus on the core business. The Platinum Equity deal is expected to complete in the first half of 2021, once it gets the nod of HNA shareholders and regulatory approval.

Other than that it looks like business as normal. Ingram Micro CEO Alain Monié stays in his job and the business remains in Irvine, California.

Monié said: “Platinum’s sector expertise, global operating capabilities and financial resources make it the ideal partner. Teaming with Platinum provides an opportunity to further strengthen our competitive advantage in the cloud, speed our digital transformation and accelerate the expansion of our solutions and services portfolio, particularly for high-value markets. We will also be able to broaden our geographic reach even faster, while penetrating new industries and verticals,” he added.

Ingram Micro would have more cash in the future but HNA had been a good partner, giving the business a chance to expand its business geographically.

HNA acquired Ingram Micro in February 2016 for $6 billion, at a time when the Chinese firm was keen on expanding its operations through making a series of major foreign investments. That has changed in the past year as the business pulls back on some of that activity.

IT management software provider SolarWinds has announced the appointment of Sudhakar Ramakrishna as its new president and CEO.

Ramakrishna has more than 25 years’ experience across, cloud, mobility, networking, security and collaboration markets to the business.

Chairman of the Board Bill Bock said that after an “extensive and thorough search”, the new SolarWinds chief will lead the business into a “new chapter in the company’s history”.

“Sudhakar is a proven leader and has significant experience leading and scaling world-class, global technology organizations. His deep expertise in strategic planning and execution, organizational development and product strategy will be especially beneficial and, when teamed with the seasoned SolarWinds leadership team, will provide strong and experienced executive leadership for the future of SolarWinds”.

Ramakrishna replaces the outgoing Kevin Thompson, who’s long-time leadership has positioned the business well for the future, SolarWinds said.

Ramakrishna most recently served as the CEO of Secure Access solutions provider Pulse Secure, where he was responsible for all aspects of business strategy and execution.

Software and cloud out Bytes IPO is oversubscribed after the outfit revealed its offer price last week.

The channel player has started conditional trading with pricing of shares on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker “BYIT” at 270 pence each, valuing the business at approximately £646.6 million.

The offer from Bytes comprises 54.5% of the company’s issued share capital and it will raise total gross proceeds of approximately £352.4 million.

Those who applied for shares in advance will be able to purchase those today but the rest of the market will have to wait until 17 December before they go on to the main listed securities of the LSE and the Main Board of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

Bytes Group CEO Neil Murphy said: “We believe listing as a standalone group gives us a tremendous platform to deliver on the strong growth opportunities we see in our markets. We are delighted by the level of interest shown by potential investors and are looking forward to this exciting next stage for Bytes Technology Group.”

From the 17 December Bytes will be admitted and the trading of unconditional dealings in the Shares on the London Stock Exchange and commencement of dealings in the Shares on the JSE.