Monday Morning Impact – January 15

Avnet Introduces IoTConnect Software Platform

Avnet a Phoenix-based technology distributor, has rolled out “IoTConnect,” a cloud-based software platform with a portfolio of market-ready connectivity solutions built around that platform to help organizations jump-start development of IoT-enabled systems and services.

The platform is designed for distribution and analysis of data across cloud and on-premise systems, thereby enabling the development and deployment of a wide range of apps and solutions, based on the user’s choice of tools, applications and frameworks.

“Built on Azure services, Avnet’s versatile IoTConnect platform and its new Smart Industry solutions include powerful analytics, cognitive services, artificial intelligence and machine learning,” said Rodney Clark, vice president, IoT, Microsoft. “With these repeatable Edge to Cloud solutions both partners and customers will be able to take full advantage of the digital transformation opportunities IoT represents.”

In collaboration with 14 suppliers, Avnet has also developed a broad selection of connectivity solutions that leverage the IoTConnect platform. Targeted verticals include manufacturing, medical, environmental, construction, retail, food processing and smart city. These digital solutions can be deployed out of the box or tailored to meet segment-specific requirements.

“Avnet recognizes that concerns such as security risk, unexpected downtime, low efficiency and information latency frequently hinder organizations’ ability to capture the full potential of digitization,” said Lou Lutostanski, Avnet vice president, Internet of Things. “IoTConnect, supported by Microsoft Azure, not only helps mitigate these risks, but enables enterprises to generate intelligence that will make their organizations more productive, secure and competitive in the digital age.”

Avnet is planning a series of customer training sessions to help simplify the complexity of building IoT solutions and scaling them for mass distribution.

Channel Impact^®
Distributors continue to carve out new specialty areas in which they can support their allied channel partners. The Internet of Things provides a new horizon for accomplishing this objective, and Avnet seeks to stake its position.

Ingram Micro Expands Cybersecurity Capabilities with Acquisition of Cloud Harmonics

Ingram Micro has acquired Cloud Harmonics, a San Jose-based provider of cybersecurity solutions for the U.S. and Canada. The acquisition adds the Palo Alto Networks next-generation security platform to the Ingram Micro portfolio, in addition to Cloud Harmonics’ education, training and technical enablement services.

“This acquisition complements our strategic business objective to provide our customers with new opportunities to expand their businesses in high-growth, high-margin markets, such as cybersecurity,” said Paul Bay, Ingram Micro’s executive vice president and group president of the Americas. “The addition of Cloud Harmonics adds to our services capabilities, enabling us to provide our partners with hands-on experience and access to the technology, services and enablement needed to establish themselves as trusted security advisors.”

Cloud Harmonics will operate as a new business unit of Ingram Micro’s Advanced Solutions Division under the direction of Ingram Micro senior vice president, Tim Ament. Ament will work closely with Cloud Harmonics founder and former CEO Pradeep Aswani in his new role as general manager of the business, as well as with Cloud Harmonics’ team of sales and technical personnel based in San Jose, Calif. and Austin, TX.

Further details of the transaction were not disclosed.

Channel Impact^®
This move is intended to help the Irvine, California-based distributor to accelerate the security sales cycle and establish allied solution providers as trusted advisors. The brand strength of Palo Alto Networks will likely be helpful in that regard.

Arrow Extends IoT Position with eInfochips Acquisition

Arrow Electronics has signed a definitive agreement to acquire eInfochips, a San Jose-based managed services company focused on technology deployment, including developing custom hardware and software and new IoT-based business models.

The acquisition is expected to expand Arrow’s IoT platform by adding engineering, solution architecture, embedded software development, security, mobile device connectivity, app development, cloud configuration and management, and managed services including big-data analytics.

“Upon close of this acquisition, eInfochips advances our IoT strategy, expands our offerings, and moves us into the rapidly growing IoT services market,” said Michael J. Long, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Arrow. “As a result, we will deliver complex and connected IoT solutions and technologies across multiple cloud platforms.”

The acquisition adds more than 1,500 IoT solution architects, engineers, and software development resources to Arrow’s IoT design services.

The transaction is expected to close this month.

Channel Impact^®
The acquisition is expected to enhance Arrow’s capabilities around chip design and product/IoT solution delivery, while extending the distributor’s reach in several key verticals, including retail/consumer, industrial automation, healthcare, and aerospace.