Avocent

Avocent is an information-technology brand associated primarily with remote infrastructure management in data centers and other enterprise environments. The company was created in 2000 through the merger of Apex and Cybex Computer Products Corporation, then described as the two largest manufacturers of keyboard, video and mouse equipment. This origin gave Avocent a strong position in the KVM market, where switches allow administrators to control multiple computers or servers from shared keyboard, display, and pointing-device consoles. The company developed as data-center architecture changed. Its earlier business was closely linked to analog KVM switching, which helped organizations centralize access to growing server installations. Avocent subsequently expanded into digital and IP-based KVM systems, enabling administrators to control equipment across networks and geographically separated facilities. Its broader portfolio came to include server management, power management, service-processor management, console servers, embedded software, desktop management, and technologies used in IT service-management and ITIL-oriented environments. Acquisitions were a central part of Avocent's expansion. The company acquired Equinox Systems in 2001, 2C Computing in 2002, Soronti in 2003, and Crystal Link Technologies, OSA Technologies, and Sonic Mobility in 2004. In 2006 it acquired Cyclades Corporation and LANDesk Software, extending the business beyond physical KVM and connectivity into infrastructure-management and software capabilities. Touchpaper Software and Ergo 2000 were added in 2008. These transactions supported Avocent's shift from a primarily hardware-centered business toward a broader management platform spanning data-center access, service processors, power, and IT service workflows. On October 6, 2009, Emerson Electric announced an agreement to acquire Avocent for approximately $1.2 billion. The transaction was completed on December 11, 2009, and Avocent became part of Emerson Network Power. In 2016 Emerson agreed to sell Network Power to Platinum Equity. The business was subsequently rebranded as Vertiv, and Avocent has operated within Vertiv since that transaction. The brand therefore remains associated with enterprise infrastructure-management products even though Avocent is no longer an independent publicly traded company. Avocent's principal customers and use cases are enterprise data centers, distributed IT environments, original-equipment manufacturers, and organizations requiring resilient remote administration. Its positioning is based on controlling and monitoring computing infrastructure outside the operating system, particularly when conventional network access is unavailable or when administrators need centralized access to many servers. Public reference material identifies the company as having employed more than 1,800 people worldwide as of August 2006, but no current independent employee figure is established here.

Avocent was formed in 2000 through the merger of Apex and Cybex Computer Products Corporation. Both companies were major suppliers of KVM equipment, and their combination established Avocent as a significant provider of technologies used to access and administer multiple servers from centralized consoles. The company's development followed the evolution of the modern data center. During the early phase, Avocent's business was associated with analog KVM switches, which helped administrators manage expanding server installations without dedicating a separate keyboard, monitor, and mouse to every machine. As data centers became more distributed, Avocent added digital and network-enabled KVM capabilities. These products allowed authorized administrators to reach equipment remotely and helped establish the company's role in out-of-band management, a category intended to provide access even when a server's operating system or primary network path is unavailable. Avocent expanded through a series of acquisitions. Equinox Systems, a producer of serial communications equipment, was acquired in 2001. In 2002 the company acquired 2C Computing, whose technology addressed PCI-bus extension and remote connection between office users and data-center-hosted computers. Soronti, a developer of KVM-over-IP technology, followed in 2003. In 2004 Avocent acquired Crystal Link Technologies, OSA Technologies, and Sonic Mobility. These transactions broadened its technical base across remote access, embedded systems, and infrastructure connectivity. The company pursued a more substantial diversification strategy in the second half of the decade. Cyclades Corporation was acquired in 2006, adding technologies related to console and network management. Avocent also acquired LANDesk Software in 2006, taking the company further into desktop, systems, and IT management software. In 2008 it acquired Touchpaper Software, associated with service-management capabilities, and Ergo 2000, a maker of LCD rack-based consoles. This sequence marked a transition from a specialist KVM manufacturer toward a wider supplier of infrastructure and IT service-management tools. Public reference material states that Avocent employed more than 1,800 people worldwide by August 2006. The company was headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama, and served international enterprise and data-center markets. Its product-development history is commonly described in three broad phases: the expansion of analog KVM, the adoption of digital KVM and remote network access, and later diversification into infrastructure and service management. On October 6, 2009, Emerson Electric announced that it would acquire Avocent for approximately $1.2 billion. The tender was completed on December 11, 2009, making Avocent part of Emerson Network Power. In 2016 Emerson announced the sale of Network Power to Platinum Equity. Network Power was subsequently rebranded as Vertiv, and Avocent has operated as a Vertiv subsidiary since then. The Avocent name remains connected with out-of-band infrastructure-management products, although the company no longer functions as an independent listed corporation.

1. 2016Avocent becomes part of Vertiv

   Following Emerson's sale of Network Power to Platinum Equity and the business's rebranding as Vertiv, Avocent continued as a Vertiv subsidiary.

   Source
2. 2009Emerson acquisition completed

   Emerson Electric completed its acquisition of Avocent, bringing the brand into Emerson Network Power.

   Source
3. 2008Touchpaper and Ergo 2000 acquired

   The company acquired Touchpaper Software and Ergo 2000, extending its service-management and rack-console offerings.

   Source
4. 2006Cyclades and LANDesk acquired

   Avocent acquired Cyclades Corporation and LANDesk Software, broadening its portfolio into console, systems, desktop, and IT-management software.

   Source
5. 2004Three technology acquisitions

   Avocent acquired Crystal Link Technologies, OSA Technologies, and Sonic Mobility as part of its technology expansion.

   Source
6. 2003Soronti acquired

   Avocent acquired Soronti, a company associated with KVM-over-IP technology.

   Source
7. 20022C Computing acquired

   The acquisition of 2C Computing expanded Avocent's capabilities in PCI-bus extension and remote connections to data-center computers.

   Source
8. 2001Equinox Systems acquired

   Avocent acquired Equinox Systems, a supplier of serial communications equipment.

   Source
9. 2000Avocent is formed

   Apex and Cybex Computer Products Corporation merged to form Avocent, combining two major KVM-equipment businesses.

   Source

Enterprise-grade out-of-band infrastructure management for data centers, distributed IT operations, and equipment manufacturers. Avocent's historical differentiation rests on centralized access to servers and other computing equipment through KVM, console, power, service-processor, and management-software technologies.

• Analog KVM systemsKVM management

  Avocent's early and foundational product area consisted of analog keyboard, video, and mouse switches. These systems allowed one set of peripherals to access multiple computers or servers, reducing equipment duplication in server rooms and data centers. The product category supported centralized administration during the period when server deployments were expanding rapidly.

• Digital and IP KVM systemsRemote infrastructure management

  Digital and KVM-over-IP products extended Avocent's traditional switching model across computer networks. They enabled remote control of servers and other devices, including equipment located in separate rooms, facilities, or geographic regions. This line formed an important part of Avocent's transition from local hardware access toward networked out-of-band management.

• Console serversServer and network management

  Console-server products provide centralized access to serial consoles and related management interfaces. They are used by administrators to configure, monitor, and troubleshoot servers and network equipment, particularly when normal production-network access is unavailable. Avocent's expansion into this area was reinforced by its acquisition of Equinox Systems and Cyclades.

• Power and service-processor managementOut-of-band infrastructure management

  Avocent's broader management portfolio includes power-management and service-processor technologies. These capabilities support remote monitoring, control, and recovery of computing equipment, including management functions that operate independently of the main operating system. The portfolio also included IPMI-related technology for original-equipment-manufacturer partners.

• IT and desktop management softwareIT service management

  Through its software acquisitions, particularly LANDesk Software and Touchpaper Software, Avocent expanded into desktop management, systems management, service desks, and ITIL-oriented service-management workflows. This software dimension complemented the company's hardware by addressing operational processes and broader administration of enterprise computing environments.

• 2016Network Power divested and rebranded as VertivM&A

  Emerson announced the sale of its Network Power business as part of a restructuring of its portfolio.

  What changed. Emerson agreed to sell Network Power to Platinum Equity. The business was subsequently renamed Vertiv.

  Aftermath. Avocent continued operating as a subsidiary within the Vertiv organization.

  Source
• 2009Avocent accepts Emerson acquisitionM&A

  Avocent had developed from a KVM specialist into a broader infrastructure-management company through product expansion and acquisitions. Emerson Electric announced a plan to acquire the company in October 2009.

  What changed. Emerson agreed to acquire Avocent for approximately $1.2 billion, and the tender process was completed in December 2009.

  Aftermath. Avocent became part of Emerson Network Power rather than continuing as an independent company.

  Announced acquisition value. approximately USD 1.2 billion (2009)

  Source

• 2016Emerson agrees to sell Network Power

  Emerson announced an agreement to sell its Network Power business to Platinum Equity. The business was later rebranded Vertiv, under which Avocent has continued to operate as a subsidiary.

  M&A
  Source
• 2009Emerson announces agreement to acquire Avocent

  Emerson Electric announced an agreement to purchase Avocent for approximately $1.2 billion, beginning the company's transition from an independent infrastructure-management manufacturer into Emerson Network Power.

  M&A
  Source
• 2009Avocent acquisition by Emerson completed

  The tender process for Emerson's acquisition of Avocent was completed on December 11, 2009, after which Avocent became part of Emerson Network Power.

  M&A
  Source

1. Avocent