The ITAM Review

News, reviews and resources for worldwide ITAM, SAM and Licensing professionals.

Owners of software reseller SHI acquire ITAM tool eTelligent

Thai Lee, CEO of SHI, with Michael Dell in 2012

Thai Lee, CEO of SHI, with Michael Dell in 2012

ITAM service and SaaS tool provider eTelligent has been acquired by StrataScale, sister company to SHI International Corp.

Both StrataScale and SHI are led by Thai Lee, who took the helm of SHI in 1989 and grew it into the $5BN IT products and services juggernaut it is today.

eTelligent offers a SaaS platform for management of software and hardware assets and will underpin SHI’s current ‘Polaris’ ITAM services business. A function previously provided by License Dashboard.

Both eTelligent and SHI feature in our soon to be published competitive comparison of SAM Managed Service providers. When published the research will be available here.

Both companies scored well in the review so I look forward to watching the fusion of both offerings;

  • eTelligent have a good platform based on sound ITAM logic
  • SHI have licensing expertise, depth of resources and enormous reach

The combined service makes for a compelling proposition.

I believe this acquisition also marks a significant milestone in the ITAM industry.

With perhaps the odd exception of HP and Dell (discussed here), software licensing resellers have not typically acquired ITAM tools. This level of investment and commitment from SHI shows how seriously the ITAM space is being taken. It also offers SHI a degree of competitive edge in the fiercely competitive licensing world (We’ve got our own tech to support you… unlike our competitors who just resell someone else’s). More on SHI here.

Image Source: BusinessWire

About Martin Thompson

Martin is owner and founder of The ITAM Review, an online resource for worldwide ITAM professionals. The ITAM Review is best known for its weekly newsletter of all the latest industry updates, LISA training platform, Excellence Awards and conferences in UK, USA and Australia.

Martin is also the founder of ITAM Forum, a not-for-profit trade body for the ITAM industry created to raise the profile of the profession and bring an organisational certification to market. On a voluntary basis Martin is a contributor to ISO WG21 which develops the ITAM International Standard ISO/IEC 19770.

He is also the author of the book "Practical ITAM - The essential guide for IT Asset Managers", a book that describes how to get started and make a difference in the field of IT Asset Management. In addition, Martin developed the PITAM training course and certification.

Prior to founding the ITAM Review in 2008 Martin worked for Centennial Software (Ivanti), Silicon Graphics, CA Technologies and Computer 2000 (Tech Data).

When not working, Martin likes to Ski, Hike, Motorbike and spend time with his young family.

Connect with Martin on LinkedIn.

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