5 Channel Partner Updates: Monday 16 December 2019

Here are five (actually, far more…) technology news updates, insights, chatter, and plenty more to start your day for Monday, December 16, 2019.

Our Daily Brew

A. What’s Hot Today

1. M&A - Network Services: NTI Connect, a Chicago based broadband network engineering and deployment company, has acquired Vertical Communications (VERTICOM) of Dallas. VERTICOM offers specialized in-house turnkey solutions to wireless, small cell and fiber providers. Financial terms were not disclosed. NTI is backed by ORIX Capital Partners, a private equity firm.

2. M&A - Private Equity and Cyber Consulting: Apax Partners has acquired Coalfire, a provider of cybersecurity advisory and assessment services. Coalfire, backed by more than 730 employees across the United States and the United Kingdom, supports more than 1,800 government and commercial clients, while working with seven of the top 10 SaaS providers, the company says. The sellers were The Carlyle Group and The Chertoff Group.

3. Talent - Office 365 Management: Accordo Group Senior VP Len DiCostanzo has shifted from business development to product management. He now oversees strategy, roadmap and feature definition for Accordo Cloud Optimizer, the company's flagship offering. DiCostanzo is a former IT service provider owner who held key partner posts at Datto and Autotask.

4. Training - How to Pay for IT Certifications: A new bipartisan bill would expand the use of 529 education savings accounts to cover the fees related to professional certification and credentialing programs, Associations Now reports. ASAE and the Professional Certification Coalition say it would benefit associations and the workforce, the report says.