Quest Software Acquires Provision Networks

I just received the announcement that Quest Software just acquired Provision Networks. Let's look into who these players are and then consider why Quest would make this move.

Who is Quest Software?

Provision Networks offers virtual desktop solutions. In the Kusnetzky Group model, they offer access virtualization software. Their focus providing virtual access solutions for Microsoft Terminal Services platform and VMware Virtual Desktop Infrastructure. The company offers the following products:

• Provision Networks Virtual Access Suite - Enterprise Edition
• Provision Networks Virtual Access Suite - Standard Edition
• Provision Networks Virtual Access Suite - for the Virtual Desktop Infrastructure

Snapshot Analysis

Until I've actually spoken with representatives of both companies, I'll have to look carefully at the announcement release and then try to place this move into context. I hope to speak with them and promise to post something about that meeting.

Virtualization is really a hot topic right now. It is clear offering software to manage virtualized environments is the goal of many companies. Rather than trying to develop its own virtualization technology, Quest must have seen an opportunity to enter this market through the acquisition of Provision Networks.

At first glance, it is clear that Quest's management tools combined with Provision Networks access virtualization tools offer Quest a way to step carefully into the broader market for management software for virtualized environments without having to directly develop their own strategy; find and hire their own talent; and start the process of making a name for themselves in a new market. Since Provision Networks already had successfully done these things, Quest instantly becomes a company playing in the virtualization market.

I suspect that there's more to it than this and will let you know what I find out later.