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The CEO of ConnectWise has warned rival firm Autotask to remain dedicated to its independent focus as a company, following its acquisition by Vista Equity Partners.
Autotask, an IT business management software provider, announced the buyout earlier this week, with the transaction expect to close this summer.
Arnie Bellini, CEO of rival firm ConnectWise, told PCR his reaction to the news: “Putting myself in someone else’s shoes as the CEO of a company that is sold, my concerns would be losing control, losing focus on my customers, losing key employees and getting lost in the shuffle of a large private equity firm.”
Bellini also outlined his own firm’s future plans.
“Our strategy for the future is simple,” he said. “ConnectWise will maintain a laser focus on IT solution providers and their success.
“From what I have seen, this is really the opposite of venture funded companies, because they can be focused on the short term and immediate ROI.
“That’s not our goal at ConnectWise, because we believe that our partners’ success is our success. So, when you ask about next year, I am already thinking about five years from now and how we can add to our software and services lineup so we can benefit the entire ecosystem of IT and technology solution providers.
Asked why firms might transition to ConnectWise following the Autodesk news, Bellini said: “We enable resellers and technology providers to make the most of their investment through peer networking, education, consulting and a ton of other best practice tools.
“In my mind, the better deal is to work with a company that does way more than just provide software.”
