|
 While some analysts view the deal as a threat to BlackBerry Ltd,
which has long been the go-to for companies looking for security
products, others say the deal could spur more acquisitions in the
mobile security market.
VMware itself has entered this market recently. Its main business is
making virtualization software, which creates a virtual machine that
acts like a real computer. This helps companies cut IT costs by
saving on server and storage space.
"AirWatch will be the center of our mobile activities," CEO Pat
Gelsinger told Reuters. "We are really bringing together the
strength we have in PCs and desktops with AirWatch's in the mobility
space."
The VMware-AirWatch deal is the third major acquisition in the
mobile security market, a business which ABI Research estimates will
double to more than $1 billion by 2015. (http://r.reuters.com/cuf36v)
Last year, IBM bought mobile device management company Fiberlink
Communications, while Citrix Systems Inc bought Zenprise in 2012.
UBS analyst Amitabh Passi said the deal will make it more
challenging for BlackBerry as it now faces strong competitors and
said he expects Google Inc, Apple Inc and Microsoft Corp to look for
acquisitions to bolster their presence in the mobile enterprise
market.
VMware shares were up 2.3 percent at $99.57 in afternoon trade on
the New York Stock Exchange after the company also forecast
fourth-quarter and current-quarter revenue above analysts' estimate.
BILLION DOLLAR DEAL
AirWatch, founded in 2003, will become a unit of VMware and its
1,600 employees will continue to report to AirWatch founder and
Chief Executive John Marshall. AirWatch co-founder and Chairman Alan
Dabbiere will report to VMware CEO Pat Gelsinger.
Atlanta-based AirWatch, whose rivals include MobileIron and
FrontRange, says it has more than 10,000 customers including United
Airline, Renault, and nine of the top 10 U.S. retailers.
VMware said it would pay about $1.175 billion in cash and about $365
million in installment payments and assumed unvested equity. It will
borrow $1 billion from parent EMC Corp to pay for the acquisition.
[to top of second column] |
AirWatch is VMware's second billion-dollar deal in one-and-a-half
years after the company bought Nicira, a provider of network
virtualization software, in 2012.
AirWatch is expected to add about $75 million to revenue in 2014
after the deal closes late in the first quarter. VMware expects the
acquisition to add to adjusted profit in late 2015.
VMware also said it would provide a bridge loan of $25 million to
AirWatch if the deal fails to close by June 1.
Analyst Brian Marshall said AirWatch had raised about $225 million
in funding from Insight Venture Partners and Accel Partners. "AirWatch
revenue last year may have been in the $125-$150 million range," he
said.
BULLISH OUTLOOK
VMware has been adding more enterprise customers and renewing
enterprise licensing contracts at a higher rate over the last year.
The company said it sold more licenses to enterprise customers in
the fourth-quarter, and estimated adjusted revenue rose about 20
percent to $1.48 billion.
Analysts were expecting revenue of $1.47 billion, according to
Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.
It said it expects first-quarter revenue of $1.33-$1.37 billion,
largely above analysts' average estimate of $1.34 billion.
VMware forecast revenue of $5.94-$6.1 billion for 2014. Analysts
expect revenue of $5.95 billion in 2014.
(Editing by Don Sebastian and Savio
D'Souza)
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
