Enterprise Computing: EMC Beat Netapp To Data Domain & Ionix

As expected, Netapp have chosen not to continue in the bidding war for Data Domain and have bowed out after EMC’s increased bid of $33.50 a share.  

In some respects we shouldn’t be surprised, as it always looked like EMC were in the game purely to beat Netapp.  What’s interesting is the way Netapp had started to distance themselves from Data Domain, and I quote from the Netapp press announcement:

“While NetApp’s acquisition of Data Domain would have produced benefits for customers and employees and complemented NetApp’s existing growth trajectory, we remain highly confident in our already compelling strategic plan, market opportunities, and competitive strengths,” – Dan Warmenhoven

So Netapp were prepared to spend $2B (plus change) to purchase something that they now feel isn’t that important to their future?  How exactly does that work?  Was the $2B burning a hole in their pocket so they felt like spending some money?  OK, its face saving, but EMC have slapped them down and no mistake.

Moving on, co-incidentally we saw the announcement of Ionix, EMC’s attempt to bring their infrastructure management tools under a single brand umbrella.  EMC have acquired lots of companies and intellectual property over the years, most of which doesn’t co-exist harmoniously with each other.   It makes sense to consolidate the IP and leverage it more effectively.  However, I can’t see Ionix as anything other than a marketing exercise – borne out by the fact that Chuck Hollis and Steve Duplessie both have videos on the Ionix homepage.  In fact its just another Decho.  There’s a big difference between re-branding and delivering fully integrated technology.  

Other than a crazy name, is it really offering anything new?

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