Ingram buys the software it had been licensing since 2013, and in addition gets around 500 skilled Odin employees and greater exposure to telco and carrier channels.
Distributor Ingram Micro has announced the acquisition of the Parallels Odin Service Automation platform from Parallel Holdings Ltd., along with associated cloud management technologies, intellectual property and the Odin brand. Approximately 500 Odin employees, many of whom are software engineers with cloud expertise, are expected to join the distributor as part of the Ingram Micro Cloud division, under executive vice president Nimesh Dave.
The Odin technology has, since 2013, already been the backbone of the Ingram Cloud Marketplace through a licensing agreement with Parallels. The new deal gives Ingram the actual ownership of the software.
Bergeron also emphasized that Ingram Micro's ownership of the software will have a significant direct impact on Ingram's channel customers.
The functionality will build on already announced Cloud Marketplace benefits, such as real-time integration with PSA vendors Autotask and ConnectWise, as well as adding functionality to Marketplace based on partner feedback, so as to allow customers to use terms on credit card payment.
"We are very focused on continuing to improve those kinds of benefits," Bergeron said.
She also indicated that other Odin customers would also benefit from Ingram Micro's ownership of the technology.
Bergeron also indicated all existing Odin customers would continue to be supported under Ingram ownership, including other IT distributors.
The transaction, which is subject to certain closing conditions, is expected to close in December 2015.