Forsythe Combines Divisions Into Hosted Solutions Unit

By Edward Gately

IT integrator Forsythe Technology has created a new business division combining its managed security services, managed hosting services and its recently announced data centers.

Forsythe Hosting Solutions will focus on cybersecurity, big-data storage needs and the increasing IT skills gap. Michael Conley, previously senior vice president of emerging technologies and key accounts, will oversee the new division as its executive vice president.

Conley tells Channel Partners that clients increasingly are “looking to buy ITaaS” and the new division “enables the integration of existing business to develop and execute on these new service models.”

“Our clients are working to streamline their day-to-day operational IT investment so they can focus on driving growth, innovation and competitive advantage in a digital business world,” he said. “This combined organization enables us to empower IT organizations to better serve the business while optimizing their day-to-day operations and increasing their focus on innovation.”

With the new division, Forsythe’s objective is to be able to more quickly innovate and deploy new offerings to its clients. The company will continue to provide its full capabilities on premises to clients across North America and globally.

About 350 of Forsythe’s nearly 1,000 employees will be involved in the new division, including 50 fully dedicated workers and more than 300 engineers, consultants and account managers.

Forsythe has been providing managed security services – including threat detection and prevention, rapid incident response, security update maintenance and security policy enhancement – since 2008.

Most of its managed hosting services previously were being provided through Mentora, which it acquired in 2012. However, the Mentora brand is now being added to Forsythe Hosting Solutions.

Forsythe Data Centers develops and builds data centers, and this summer will open a new 221,000-square-foot retail facility outside Chicago.

“As the world of information technology continues to evolve, there is a growing gap between the demand for highly skilled IT professionals and their availability in the market,” added Bill Brennan, Forsythe Technology’s president and CEO. “Today’s IT security risks only compound this skills gap, with data breaches making headlines on a near-daily basis. Companies are increasingly looking to external resources to help them bridge the skills gap while enhancing the day-to-day security of their data.”