IO Splits to Increase Focus on Data Center, Cloud Services

Data center technology and services provider IO plans to divide itself into two independent companies, IO and BaseLayer, each focusing on different technology areas for its channel partners.

BaseLayer, the new company, will focus on offering IO’s modular data center hardware and data center infrastructure management software. IO, meanwhile, will continue to deliver its colocation and cloud services, according to the company.

The split is expected to occur in early 2015. William Slessman, co-founder and former CTO of IO, will assume the role of CEO at BaseLayer. Anthony Wanger, who currently serves as president of IO, and George Slessman will continue to lead IO in their current roles as chief executive officer and president, respectively.

Channel partners shouldn’t see too many changes as a result of the company separation. “This split eliminates channel conflict,” said Bob Olson, chief customer officer of IO. “BaseLayer will be a pure products provider to all of the channel partners directly.”

“This strategic decision creates enormous potential for IO and BaseLayer,” said William Slessman in an interview with Talkin’ Cloud. “Both companies will be sharper and more competitive as leading, standalone businesses.”

“The separation will allow BaseLayer to help customers realize the full value of their applications and tap into the potential of the Internet of Things,” he added.