Distribution Watch: Ingram Micro, Tech Data, Avnet

Welcome back to Distribution Watch. This week we've got the latest news from Ingram Micro (IM), Tech Data (TECD) and Avnet (AVT).

Ingram Micro: Ingram will acquire Parallel Holdings' Odin Service Automation platform as well as associated cloud management technologies, intellectual property and the Odin brand, according to an announcement. Ingram has been licensing the Odin platform since 2013 as part of the distributor’s automated Cloud Marketplace.

500 Odin employees are expected to join Ingram Micro, and will be integrated into the Ingram Micro Cloud division, which is led by Executive Vice President Nimesh Dave. The deal is expected to close later this month. No financial details were disclosed.

“Odin Service Automation leads in cloud provisioning management and is an established industry standard for integrated cloud services” said Alain Monié, CEO of Ingram Micro, in a statement. “Our announcement today demonstrates Ingram Micro’s confidence in the technology and talent that Odin has cultivated, as well as our belief that the Odin Service Automation platform will play a significant role in how businesses consume technology in the cloud.”

Tech Data: Tech Data recently named Carbonite (CARB) as its 2015 Cloud Partner of the Year to recognize the company’s commitment to growing its channel partner program and in working with the distributor to boost cloud and hybrid business continuity solutions sales.

The award was presented at Tech Data’s 2015 Cloud Partner of the Year conference during the eleventh annual Americas Vendor Partner Summit in Tampa.

"Throughout the year, we've worked closely with Tech Data to provide their resellers with the secure, advanced hybrid backup and recovery solutions their SMB customers want, while providing the professional services and support our mutual partners need to be successful,” said Jessica Couto, vice president of U.S. channel sales and marketing at Carbonite. “This award demonstrates the success of our relationship on multiple fronts and we could not be more pleased."

Avnet: Avnet has appointed Kevin Sellers as vice president of corporate marketing and communications, responsible for leading the company’s corporate branding strategy and awareness. Sellers is the first executive to be appointed to the new role, and will also manage the company’s executive and employee communications, public relations and social media, according to the announcement.

Prior to his appointment, Sellers spent 23 years at Intel, where he held several leadership roles. He most recently served as managing director in the San Francisco office of Sard Verbinnen, a strategic communications advisory firm, and as senior vice president of marketing and communications for Unilife, a medical device and technology company.

“My passion is finding compelling stories and creating simple but unique communications that create lasting brand value and deliver growth,” said Sellers. “Avnet has an incredible story to tell, and I look forward to telling that story in a way that accelerates the success of Avnet and showcases how Avnet helps technology make the world a better place to live, work and play.”

Thanks for stopping by, and we hope you have a wonderful week. See you back here in seven days, folks.