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Rick Whiting
For the week ending July 22, CRN takes a look at the companies that brought their “A” game to the channel.
The week ending July 22
Topping this week’s Came to Win list are Microsoft and Oracle for a collaborative effort that makes it easier for customers to use Oracle Database through the Azure cloud.
Also on this week’s list are solutions provider ePlus and security technology provider Huntress for making strategic acquisitions. Cisco Systems makes the shortlist for the launch of a new partnership opportunity around its Webex collaboration platform. And Google and cybersecurity provider Mandiant hit a key regulatory milestone on their way to closing their $5.4 billion acquisition deal.
Microsoft-Oracle Collaboration Creates “A Great Partner Opportunity”
Software giants Oracle and Microsoft have been longtime rivals, competing – sometimes fiercely – in broad areas of computing, including database software, ERP and CRM applications, and cloud platforms. .
So both vendors deserve kudos this week for announcing a new collaboration between them, the Oracle Database Service for Microsoft Azure. The fully managed service enables enterprise-class Oracle database services to be provisioned, accessed, and operated within Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), but launched and managed through Azure.
Users can run the Microsoft Power BI analysis tool against the Oracle database through the service. And there will be no charge for data transfer between OCI and Azure.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Oracle CTO Larry Ellison appeared together — virtually — at Microsoft’s Inspire 2022 conference to unveil the new offering.
Nadella said the new joint service creates “an excellent opportunity for our partners to help customers run their most critical Oracle applications and databases with Azure as they strive to accelerate their migration journeys to the cloud”.
ePlus expands cybersecurity reach with future acquisition of Com
Global solutions provider ePlus Technology took a big step this week to expand both its geographic reach and cybersecurity resources with its acquisition of Future Com, a provider of cybersecurity, cloud security and security consulting services based in Grapevine, Texas.
EPlus already generates half a billion dollars in annual revenue from security solutions and services, President and CEO Mark Marron told CRN. The acquisition of Future Com will provide ePlus with additional service professionals and other resources to double down on cybersecurity.
The acquisition also gives ePlus the ability to sell its own managed services and staffing capabilities to Future Com customers, according to Marron. And the acquisition offers Herndon, Va.-based ePlus the opportunity to expand its operations in Texas.
Huntress acquires curriculum from security training company
Staying on the subject of savvy acquisitions, managed security platform and threat intelligence technology provider Huntress this week acquired Atlanta-based startup Curricula, a provider of story-based security training for the employees.
The acquisition, priced at $22 million, comes as businesses and organizations grapple with the human element of cybersecurity, in addition to the technology component.
Curricula offers behavioral science-based security training and uses storytelling and animation to teach employees how to recognize, avoid, and thwart phishing and hacking schemes.
Huntress, based in Ellicott City, Maryland, will integrate Curricula’s training services into its broader line of cybersecurity offerings,
Cisco launches Webex Wholesale Partner Program with focus on SMBs
Cisco Systems is winning applause this week for its decision to offer its Webex collaboration platform as a managed service through a wholesale route to market for channel partners who serve SMB customers.
Webex has become a particularly popular offering since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic which forced many people to work from home and rely heavily on collaboration and video conferencing services.
The new Managed Services for Webex creates a new market option for service providers and MSP partners. The wholesale model uses a unique commercial agreement between Cisco and its partners and provides a self-service platform that partners can use to provide managed services for Webex.
Partners can also use the platform to create their own co-branded offers.
Google-Mandiant acquisition closer to completion after DOJ antitrust review ends
Google and Mandiant this week moved closer to completing Google’s $5.4 billion acquisition of the security superstar after the US Department of Justice effectively ended its antitrust review of the acquisition. provided without any objection to the agreement.
Mandiant revealed this week in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that on July 15, the DOJ granted early termination of the waiting period required under the Hart-Scott-Rodino antitrust law. .
Mandiant stated in the filing that the early termination of the waiting period satisfies one of the conditions to the completion of the acquisition. Mandiant said the two companies still expect the deal to close by the end of the year.
Google is acquiring Mandiant, a leading cybersecurity incident and response technology provider, to bolster its own security offerings.
Rick Whiting
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