Extreme Networks Wraps Zebra Technologies WLAN Buy

**Editor’s Note: Please click here for a recap of the biggest channel-impacting mergers in July-August 2016.**

Extreme Networks has completed its $55 million acquisition of Zebra Technologies’ wireless LAN business.

Extreme executives have said the purchase helps the company’s goal of expanding its presence across various verticals, including education, health care, government and manufacturing. CEO Ed Meyercord said the acquisition keeps Extreme positioned as the third biggest provider within the enterprise campus market.

“The addition of the WLAN assets increases our total addressable market to $9.4 billion in one of the fastest growing segments of the networking industry and expands our bench with talented key management, experienced wireless industry experts and partners, and a strong base of blue-chip customers,” he said Monday.

The purchase includes Zebra’s WLAN customers, personnel and technology assets, which Extreme says will lead to more than $115 million in annual revenue. The company first announced the deal in September in a play to capitalize on WLAN, which Meyercord called “the fastest growing segment in the networking industry.”{ad}

“The acquired technology complements Extreme’s existing portfolio of software-driven networking solutions and provides new opportunities for its entire ecosystem of partners, distributors, customers and employees,” said Nolan Greene, senior research analyst at IDC. “The enterprise WLAN market is one of the fastest growing networking segments globally and Extreme is solidifying its role as a major player in the marketplace through this deal.”

Extreme Networks sales chief Bob Gault said his partners will get access to more mobility services, including its WiNG Wi-Fi technology and wireless security software.

“Zebra partners will be offered the opportunity to become a part of a unified partner program under Extreme’s award-winning Extreme Partner Network, which offers incentives that increase profitability and simplify the way channel partners do business,” Gault told Channel Partners in September. “Zebra partners will also be offered access to a program designed to enable and reward channel partners through new solution-selling, new customer acquisition and wireless specialization rebates in addition to deal registration programs and training.”