Intel spins off LANDesk

Intel has spun off its Software Products and Services Division, which is responsible for the development of the LANDesk desktop management software.

The division becomes LANDesk Acquisition Corporation (Lac), and will operate as an independent company.

UK resellers and integrators believe that the move will see an overhaul of the product line-up and development, resulting in faster application development and quicker fixes for bugs.

“Although there are no immediate changes we consider this a very good move in the longer term,” said Graham Ridgway, chief executive at UK integrator Touchpaper.

“All of the people I’ve dealt with are staying on and the company is already taking about increasing and improving its reseller and integrator relationships across the world. We call it business as usual plus.”

US venture capitalists Vector Capital and vSpring Capital have a majority share in the new business. LAC will employ 150 people, including the existing management team, and will be based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The only personnel change is a new managing director, Joe Wang, who was previously with antivirus firm Symantec. His relationship with the company began when Symantec bought Intel’s antivirus development arm in 1997.

Intel’s general manager, John Sutherland, moves over to become vice president of operations at the new company.

The LANDesk Management Suite, which comprises LANDesk Client Manager, LANDesk Server Manager, LANDesk Asset Service, Instant Support Suite, Mobile Manager and Remote Services, are all included in the deal.

Intel has been cutting back on its non-core operations and refocusing on the chip business. In the past two years it has also closed or sold its home wireless networking and consumer products divisions.