Acquisition agreed for approximately $416m

Enterprise data center management vendor Avocent is to acquire security and process management vendor LANDesk for approximately $416m.

The deal, which is expected to close within the next 65 to 70 days, is comprised of $200m in stock, $200m in cash and $16m in assumed options. It will see LANDesk remain an independent business unit within Avocent. The transaction value may increase by up to $60m if LANDesk meets certain financial targets specified in the agreement.

John Cooper, chief executive of Avocent said: “The acquisition of LANDesk, together with our recent acquisition of Cyclades, will enable Avocent to offer enterprise customers one of the most complete range of value-added systems and security management products and solutions available anywhere, from anyone, creating new revenue, growth, and value creation opportunities.

“We will be able to offer an expanded management platform incorporating the best features of our DSView 3 software and LANDesk’s unified architecture. The solutions made possible by that platform will span multiple IT disciplines, such as server, desktop, data center, network and security administration, and will allow us to help our enterprise customers leverage their IT investments and solve multiple IT-related business problems.”

Joe Wang, chief executive of LANDesk said: “This agreement will greatly increase LANDesk’s ability to execute its business strategy, preserve organisational identity, and become part of a well-capitalised enterprise with good prospects for accelerated growth.

“Because our companies share a similar vision, our combined organisation will be able to quickly deliver increased business value to customers seeking better IT management.”