Adaptec woes spark off channel support

Troubled storage vendor is confident of finding a suitable buyer

Showing support: Channel players have got behind Adaptec

The uncertainty surrounding the future of Adaptec has prompted an outpouring
of support from the channel for the beleaguered storage vendor.

The firm, which recorded a 42 per cent slide in revenue in its second quarter fiscal 2010 results, recently announced that parts of its operations are up for sale.

The announcement follows on from the standing down of Adaptec chief executive, Sundi Sundaresh, as well as two members of its board of directors walking out in recent months.

In a statement to CRN, Adaptec said the sale would give its operations “a greater chance of flourishing in the context of a larger technology-based company or as a private entity”.

The company added it had been “encouraged by the interest to date” from prospective acquirers and was confident it would reach an outcome that benefited both its customers and shareholders.

Ed Bateman, business unit manager at Adaptec distributor Bell Micro, said that Adaptec remains a “significant part” of his firm’s current business.

“It is a good company with strong products, but it has sold a lot and lost a lot on acquisitions where the other party has benefited far more than Adaptec,” he added.

Colin Broadberry, managing director of Adaptec reseller Broadberry Data Systems, said he has been anticipating a sell-off of the firm’s assets for a while.

“There has been a lot of speculation about the future of the company. It is a shame because Adaptec used to be such a big name in the industry,” Broadberry said.
Adaptec signs Bell Microproducts