By Ron Chen , Correspondent ASEAN Region

Acronis, a global leader in cyber protection, has announced the acquisition of Synapsys, its long-time partner located in Cape Town, South Africa that specializes in distributing Acronis Cyber Protection Solutions through the service provider channel. Marking the latest move in the company’s accelerated growth plan, it is Acronis’ fourth acquisition in the past 18 months.

Synapsys is a channel-centric group of companies that delivers Acronis Cyber Protection Solutions to thousands of customers through a network of sub-distributors, resellers, and managed service providers (MSPs) in South Africa and across the continent. It is comprised of two businesses: Synapsys Systems (Proprietary) Limited, a specialist software distributor and the region’s Authorized Acronis Distributor for on-premises solutions since 2003, and Synapsys Distribution (Proprietary) Limited, which services the MSP market using the Acronis Cyber Cloud service provider platform.

“Synapsys has been a trusted and valuable partner in our efforts to extend our cyber protection solutions to organizations across the African continent. This acquisition will give their users direct access to our technology and support,” said  Founder and CEO, Serguei “SB” Beloussov, Acronis’. “At the same time, Africa is becoming a strategic growth opportunity for Acronis and acquiring Synapsys provides us with a permanent presence on the continent. The move is beneficial for Acronis, the African MSP channel, and the organizations and users that need to safeguard their workloads and systems against the modern threat landscape.”

The acquisition dovetails perfectly with Acronis’ ongoing Global/Local Initiative, which aims to provide expanded in-country access to the company’s worldwide resources. As demand for cloud and managed services increases around the world, it creates opportunities for service providers who deliver Acronis Cyber Protection Solutions. The Global/Local Initiative reflects the company’s commitment to stay close to its partners and help them grow their business while protecting their clients against modern threats.

Unique relationship leads to acquisition

Synapsys’ Managing Director, Peter French will now serve as Acronis’ General Manager for the Middle East/Africa market. In making t announcement, he commented on the unique relationship that led to the acquisition.

“No business school advice tells you to put all your eggs in one basket. But this is exactly what we did with Acronis, and we have never regretted it,” French said. “Our laser-focus and partner-centric ethos is backed by our alignment with Acronis’ mission, especially the drive to the cloud and the cyber protect approach to data protection and digital security. This deal feels like a natural extension to this long-standing relationship. Partnerships are about relationships which are about people: we are looking forward to continuing to support MSPs across Africa in keeping the ecosystem cyber protected, now as part of Acronis. And former Synapsys partners can look forward to a closer relationship with Acronis, working through the same core team on the ground whom they have grown to trust over the years.”

After a planned transition period, Synapsys will be integrated into Acronis and will be responsible for all Africa Sales of Acronis’ world-class cyber protection solutions.

As part of the company’s accelerated growth strategy, Acronis will continue to examine potential acquisitions that will extend its ability to address the Five Vectors of Cyber Protection — solving the safety, accessibility, privacy, authenticity, and security (SAPAS) challenges that face today’s data, applications, and systems.

Any MSPs and resellers in the region who are interested in learning more about how they can boost their clients’ cybersecurity posture easily and affordably, without increasing the complexity needed to manage it all, are encouraged to contact Peter French at pf@acronis.com.