Barney's Blog

Blog archive

Symantec Snaps Up Altiris

I am an unabashed fan of Windows third parties. These companies plug holes in Microsoft tools, make it easier to use and manage, and add features Redmond either hasn't thought of or hasn't been able to build.

I have mixed feelings about the news that Altiris is being acquired by Symantec. Sometimes, when a smaller company is swallowed by a larger one, a certain spark is lost. And the circle of Windows third parties certainly shrinks by one.

But I understand that entrepreneurs usually build companies so they can go public (fat chance these days) or get sold. So congrats, Altiris!

The Altiris deal ain't exactly small potatoes. Symantec is expected to pay some $830 million.

Posted by Doug Barney on January 30, 2007


Featured

  • Report: Cost, Sustainability Drive DaaS Adoption Beyond Remote Work

    Gartner's 2025 Magic Quadrant for Desktop as a Service reveals that while secure remote access remains a key driver of DaaS adoption, a growing number of deployments now focus on broader efficiency goals.

  • Windows 365 Reserve, Microsoft's Cloud PC Rental Service, Hits Preview

    Microsoft has launched a limited public preview of its new "Windows 365 Reserve" service, which lets organizations rent cloud PC instances in the event their Windows devices are stolen, lost or damaged.

  • Hands-On AI Skills Now Outshine Certs in Salary Stakes

    For AI-related roles, employers are prioritizing verifiable, hands-on abilities over framed certificates -- and they're paying a premium for it.

  • Roadblocks in Enterprise AI: Data and Skills Shortfalls Could Cost Millions

    Businesses risk losing up to $87 million a year if they fail to catch up with AI innovation, according to the Couchbase FY 2026 CIO AI Survey released this month.