Ingram Micro Inc. - Experts & Thought Leaders

BCD Founder and Chief Executive Officer - Jeff Burgess has officially announced his retirement. Burgess, who turned 66 on July 25, 2023, began his computer career back in 1979 after landing a warehouse job at Tek-Aids Industries, an IT computer distributor that carried brands such as Altos, Wyse, and Okidata. Within months, he was moved to the sales desk, and within six years was named Vice President of Sales.   Extensive industry experience After leaving the company years later, he went to Elek-Tek, the Chicago mega-retailer, helping kickstart their corporate sales division. Burgess was responsible for Elek-Tek’s gaining a single-tier distribution agreement with Unisys Corporation, to sell their Goldstar OEM personal computers directly to Unisys’ mainframe customers.  After Elek-Tek, Burgess moved to Hartford Computer Group (Inverness, IL) and, worked closely with IBM, directing the team helping to land the $200 million State Farm account for Hartford, along with multi-million-dollar accounts with General Electric and many of the GE Capital companies.  Started Burgess Computer Decisions, Inc. Burgess also began building high-availability Hewlett Packard servers for his IT customers After twenty years of working for others, Burgess opened Burgess Computer Decisions, Inc. (BCD) in 1999 as an IT Value Added Distributor, working directly with Ingram Micro and Tech Data as inventory providers, blind-shipping goods directly to his customers. Burgess also began building high-availability Hewlett Packard servers for his IT customers, among those the same GE Capital companies to whom he had worked closely in the past. In 2008, he recognised the opportunity for a customised IT server builder in the still-new video surveillance market and took the company along that path. Video surveillance storage systems Burgess leaves BCD as the worldwide pioneer in purpose-built video surveillance storage systems with over 175,000 recorders of all shapes and sizes capturing video in 91 countries and countless vertical markets.  And is amongst the most secure facilities globally, along with the coolest brands in the world. Chances are that users will pass a BCD-protected facility a couple of times a day.  Accolades and awards BCD captured many industry awards and recognition during Burgess’ tenure, being named among Inc. Magazine’s Top 5000 companies five times. BCD also received Computer Reseller News’  Solution Provider 500 six times, including CRN’s  Fast Growth 150 three consecutive years, Crain’s Chicago Business Largest Privately Held Companies four times, and what Burgess was most proud of, being named a combined ten times from Chicago’s Best & Brightest Companies, Best & Brightest Companies in the Nation, and Best Places to Work in Illinois.  Philanthropy Philanthropy was an important part of Burgess’ tenure, offering employment to interns Philanthropy was an important part of Burgess’ tenure, offering employment to interns who became future employees from College Bound Opportunities (CBO), and supporting such causes as Folds of Honour, Wings (domestic violence), Orphans of the Storm (pet shelter), Girl Scouts, and college scholarships for local community high school seniors, as well as in-house college reimbursement programs for all employees.    “It’s been a great run, especially considering where I was in my life before getting that warehouse job forty-three years ago," stated Jeff Burgess. Burgess comments He adds, "What I find most rewarding is that we were able to give so many people an opportunity, as was given to me all those decades ago. And especially considering my two sons not only work here but have earned key positions here. Plus, my daughter worked here in past summers as well.”  Jeff Burgess continues, “I leave having tremendous respect for all those team members committed to our purpose, and knowing we all mutually made a positive difference in people’s lives, both inside and outside the organisation." In addition to travelling and playing golf with his wife Joanne, Burgess plans to spend his time with their family, their dogs, and their grand dogs.

Videonetics, the world’s first AI & DL powered Unified Video Computing Platform (UVCP™) development company announced the signing of a distribution agreement with Ingram Micro, the global pioneer in technology and supply chain services. Headquartered in the United States and representation in 59 countries, Ingram Micro has an established network of 35K+ associates and serves 170K+ customers globally. Ingram Micro will distribute Videonetics AI & DL powered Intelligent VMS, Video Analytics, Intelligent Traffic Management System, and MeraFace™ – Facial Recognition System, through their expansive channel partners network across India. Having a market leadership as #1 VMS provider in India and top 5 in Asia, Videonetics is all set to consolidate and further expand its market share, through this alliance.  Supplying state-of-the-art unified solutions This strategic collaboration will boost our presence in the market hence accelerating our growth plans in India" On this appointment, Avinash Trivedi, VP – Business Development of Videonetics expressed, “At Videonetics, our partners and system integrators play an instrumental role in working closely with end customers. We are delighted to engage our distribution relationship with Ingram Micro.” “This strategic collaboration will boost our presence in the market, by developing a strong bond with channel partners & resellers and delivering our state-of-the-art unified solutions to them, hence accelerating our growth plans in India.” Delivering AI-based video management solutions & analytics Commenting on the partnership, Jayant Gundewar - Executive Director and Head of Advanced Solutions business at Ingram Micro India said that “Ingram Micro is pleased to add Videonetics as one of the fastest-growing Indian companies in the security system portfolio.” “Videonetics is committed to delivering flexible, cost-efficient, and reliable AI-based video management solutions & analytics to meet the complex needs of the surveillance industry. With this strategic and technological integration, we will deliver holistic solutions to our partners for achieving optimal outcomes and to expand market reach.”

IT and security systems integrators across the Middle East and Africa can now deliver more efficient, off-the-shelf integration of complete corporate systems - including access control, visitor management, security and building management - following a distribution agreement between Quanika and NIT, an Ingram Micro Company. Quanika’s modular, ready-made approach is designed to make integration straightforward, even for the most complex, multi-site projects, enabling organisations to adapt their on-site operations quickly to meet rapidly changing circumstances, and run them efficiently from a single interface. A1001 and A1601 controllers The company works with systems integrators, consultants, and end-user enterprises globally to leverage seamless integration with Axis Communications’ A1001 and A1601 controllers for unlimited doors and users, network cameras and audio devices. Quanika also allows integrators to scale up AXIS Camera Station VMS to encompass more cameras and cover multiple sites as well as giving them the extensibility choice of Milestone’s powerful XProtect for video management. Quanika’s portfolio of solutions is designed to eliminate the inefficiencies of siloed solutions Quanika’s portfolio of solutions is designed to eliminate the inefficiencies of siloed solutions to enable more productive connections between people, physical infrastructure, and corporate systems. Quanika Compact is a practical and affordable choice for small-to-medium applications in healthcare, retail, manufacturing, logistics and similar locations, giving users the ability to tie together and flexibly manage multiple sites. Visitor management solution Quanika Enterprise is designed for larger scale facilities and corporate enterprises, including multi-purpose buildings, hotels, transportation hubs, hospitals, and universities, giving organisations complete control and situational awareness across their entire estates globally. The Quanika VisitorPoint visitor management solution streamlines and automates operations. Delivering a frictionless and contactless experience, Quanika VisitorPoint is becoming essential during the COVID-era to minimise interaction and risks to frontline staff and reduce contact with doors and surfaces, while acting as a force multiplier for the efficient management, control and tracking of visitors and contractors access and movements throughout facilities. Building management systems As well as providing new technology application routes for security systems integrators, the distribution agreement opens up extensive project options for NIT’s customer base of IT systems integrators, allowing them to deliver modular, commerical off-the-shelf (COTS) security and safety solutions with an extensive choice of third-party systems - everything from intruder alarms, fire, and building management systems to individual, operations-specific business management databases, systems, or devices. Welcoming the deal, Bassel Al Fakir, Managing Director NIT, an Ingram Micro Company, said that Quanika’s solutions are expected to make it easier for NIT customers to deliver solutions with a single, intuitive, security and safety management interface. Integrators and consultants Our customers will be able to use Quanika’s off-the-shelf solutions and 24/7 support to integrate best-in-class technologies" “NIT’s distribution agreement with Quanika will provide major opportunities for ICT integrators and consultants across the Middle East and Africa,” he said. “Our customers will be able to use Quanika’s off-the-shelf solutions and 24/7 support to integrate best-in-class technologies and deliver new levels of insight and control.” Quanika Managing Director, Leo Cook, said the agreement would also help integrators and their customers improve operational efficiency and meet the unprecedented challenges now facing them. Seamless operational efficiency “It’s never been more important for organisations to be able to manage their operations efficiently, and to let their people to work safely, flexibly and securely,”  he said. “Quanika is already helping customers globally to meet today’s rapidly evolving challenges." "We are helping organisations to pivot their operations, including managing their people and networks more efficiently, and improving the way they use their buildings. We now look forward to working with NIT customers across the region to deliver seamless, advanced solutions here.”

Merger and acquisition activity has become a familiar topic in the physical security market. In 2016, SourceSecurity.com covered M&A news involving some of the industry’s largest companies, including high-profile names such as Tyco, Honeywell, Hikvision, ADT, and Ingram Micro. Here’s a look at the top 10 M&A stories in 2016, as covered by SourceSecurity.com:   1. Johnson Control and Tyco merge Johnson Controls and Tyco announced their merger into one company with annual revenue of $32 billion. Johnson Controls, a global multi-industrial company, combined with global fire and security provider Tyco to create a leader in building products and technology, integrated solutions and energy solutions. Johnson Controls previously had a small presence in the physical security market, but their products have mostly centred around building controls, HVAC and energy storage technology. For its part, Tyco’s focus on video, access control and alarm systems has expanded to consider those systems in the context of broader building systems. The trend toward convergence in the building market is the common ground for these companies, and a major driver in their decision to merge under the name Johnson Controls. 2. Honeywell acquires Xtralis and RSI Video Technologies Industry giant Honeywell agreed to acquire Xtralis, a global provider of aspirating smoke detection and advanced perimeter security technologies and video analytics software, for $480 million from funds advised by Pacific Equity Partners and Blum Capital Partners. Honeywell saw Xtralis' systems as complementing their growing Security and Fire business. A month or so later, Honeywell also acquired RSI Video Technologies, provider of the Videofied Intrusion Detection System, for $123 million. Upon completion of the acquisitions, both would become part of Honeywell Security and Fire. Honeywell also made headlines for a deal that didn’t happen. It seems Honeywell wanted to merge with UTC, but UTC declined because of “insurmountable regulatory obstacles and strong customer opposition.” 3. Ingram Micro acquired by Chinese Conglomerate Ingram Micro Inc. and Tianjin Tianhai Investment Company, Ltd. announced a merger agreement under which Tianjin Tianhai would acquire Ingram Micro for $38.90 per share in an all-cash transaction with an equity value of approximately $6 billion. Ingram Micro would become a part of HNA Group, a Hainan-based Fortune Global 500 enterprise group and a leader in aviation, tourism and logistics and the largest stockholder of Tianjin Tianhai. ADT holds the largest share of the U.S. residential security market, and a respectable small business presence 4. ADT Merges with Protection 1 ADT, the well-known home and small business security company, which traces its history back to 1874, agreed in 2016 to be acquired by private equity firm Apollo Global Management, and would merge with competitor Protection 1, a subsidiary of Apollo-owned Prime Security Services Borrower LLC. The announcement comes amid rapid changes in the residential security and home automation market, much of it driven by emerging Internet of Things (IoT) technology. ADT holds the largest share of the U.S. residential security market, and a respectable small business presence. Protection 1 began in 1991 when it was spun off from PacifiCorp., a power utility. It grew rapidly, largely through acquisition, into a full-service business and home security company. 5. Konica Minolta acquires majority shares of MOBOTIX Konica Minolta, Inc. entered into a share transfer agreement to acquire shares comprising about 65% ownership of German manufacturer MOBOTIX, developer of technologies including decentralised processing (edge computing) IP cameras, image data compression, and image data analytics. The deal was estimated at between $177 million and $265 million. Konica Minolta seeks to broaden the distribution of MOBOTIX products and solution services by leveraging its global direct sales network and after-sales support and services systems. 6. Hikvision acquires Pyronix Hikvision, the world’s largest video surveillance manufacturer, announced the acquisition of Pyronix, the UK-based intrusion alarm security firm. Hikvision planned to apply Pyronix expertise and know-how in intrusion detection systems to its leading position in the video surveillance market. The combined know-how of Hikvision and Pyronix seeks to bring new advancements and innovative products to the market, converging two security technologies in video surveillance and intrusion detection. 7. Merger creates AlliedUniversal brand AlliedBarton Security Services and Universal Services of America agreed to merge, combining to do business under the AlliedUniversal brand. The combined company offers clients localised response and national support using technology solutions and approximately 140,000 highly-trained officers. The combined company is expected to have total annual revenues of approximately $4.5 billion. AlliedUniversal brand offers clients localised response and national support 8. Acre acquires two companies ACRE, LLC, the holding company that owns Vanderbilt Industries and Mercury Security, made two more acquisitions this year. Through its subsidiary Vanderbilt, a global provider of state-of-the-art security systems, Acre acquired Access Control Technology Ltd (ACT), based in Dublin, Ireland. This purchase would enhance Vanderbilt’s strategic expansion plans for strengthening its access control business and product portfolio. Later in the year, Acre also announced plans to acquire Communication Networks LLC (dba ComNet), a manufacturer of video and data transmission equipment. The acquisition of ComNet builds on the ACRE family of companies, providing complementary communication technologies utilised across its access control, intrusion, video, and cloud-based product ranges. 9. Gemalto to buy 3M’s identity business Gemalto, a provider of digital security, agreed to acquire 3M's Identity Management Business for US $850 million; it will become part of Gemalto Government Programs. 3M's Identity Management Business is comprised of 3M Cogent Inc., which provides a full spectrum of biometric solutions with a focus on civil identification, border control and law enforcement, and 3M's Document Reader and Secure Materials Businesses. 10. Bosch and Sony partner up Although technically not a merger or acquisition, Bosch Security Systems and Sony signed a contract to establish a business partnership to collaborate in the development of products and solutions in the field of video security applications, beginning in 2017. Bosch will handle the sales and marketing globally for all of Sony’s video surveillance products (outside of Japan). The two companies will also pool their technology expertise, leveraging Sony’s imaging capabilities and Bosch’s analytics and networking strengths. See the full coverage of 2016/2017 Review and Forecast articles hereSave Save Save