AVG Buys Level Platforms: A Deeper Look at AVG's Ambitions

As AVG acquires Level Platforms, it’s a timely opportunity to take a look at AVG Technologies (AVG) overall business. The company is probably most commonly known as the provider of consumer antivirus and security software, some of which is still offered free-of-charge. But this publicly held company has made no secret of its moves up market into the small and medium business market. Here’s a look at some of the milestones AVG has announced late last year and for 2013.

October 2012. AVG launches CloudCare, it’s cloud-based administrative platform that allows remote deployment and management of IT and security services for SMBs.

January 2013. AVG announces that its CloudCare small business IT management platform has signed more than 1,000 partners. The company unveils CloudCare 2.1 at CES in Las Vegas.

March 2013. AVG’s CEO J.R. Smith steps down and becomes a member of the Supervisory Board. Chief Operating Officer John Giamatteo continues to run day-to-day operations while the company commences a search for Smith’s successor. Both internal and external candidates are under consideration.

April 2013. AVG reports first quarter revenue of $104.7 million, an increase of 26 percent over $83.0 million for the same period a year earlier. Net income for Q1 was $24.4 million or 45 cents per diluted share compared with net income of $10.9 million or 21 cents per diluted share during the previous year period.

April 2013. AVG raises its financial outlook for the year for revenue in the range of $414 million to $422 million, and net income in the range of $73 million to $83 million.  For Q2 AVG offers the following outlook: revenue of approximately $100 million. Net income in the range of $14 million to $17 million.

May 2013. AVG reports that more than 1,000 channel partners have signed on as AVG CloudCare partners.

May 2013. AVG announces integration of CloudCare with the Spiceworks platform.

May 2013. AVG acquires online privacy organization PrivacyChoice, which provides web and browser-based tools for consumers and businesses concerned with protecting online privacy. A single dashboard enables management of privacy settings across Facebook, Google, LinkedIn and thousands of other websites.

June 2013. AVG acquires Level Platforms, blending the worlds of cloud, security software and RMM software for managed services providers and small business customers.