Latest news with #MelissaMulholland
Techday NZ
07-07-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
SoftwareOne completes Crayon deal, forming CHF 1.6 billion giant
SoftwareOne has announced the completion of its recommended voluntary offer for all issued and outstanding shares in Crayon. The transaction combines SoftwareOne and Crayon, two software and cloud solutions providers with a joint revenue of approximately CHF 1.6 billion and a total workforce of about 13,000 employees across more than 70 countries. Settlement of the offer has been executed, with accepting Crayon shareholders receiving NOK 69 in cash and 0.8233 of a newly issued SoftwareOne share per Crayon share. SoftwareOne shares will commence trading on Euronext Oslo Børs. Transaction details The acquisition followed the fulfilment of all closing conditions, as previously announced. The consideration included both cash and shares, and the settlement notification has already taken place. SoftwareOne intends to proceed with a compulsory acquisition of the remaining Crayon shares, with a subsequent delisting of Crayon shares from Euronext Oslo Børs expected within the same month. Commenting on the transaction, Raphael Erb, Co-CEO of SoftwareOne, said: "Today marks an important milestone as SoftwareOne and Crayon join forces, combining two leading global providers of software and cloud solutions." The process of integrating the companies will now commence, with thorough 'Day 1 readiness' preparations having taken place since early 2025. The integration is supported by dedicated working groups covering key business functions such as strategy, sales and marketing, people and culture, IT, and finance. SoftwareOne's planned governance structure will oversee execution and support the post-merger transition. Leadership perspectives Melissa Mulholland, Co-CEO of SoftwareOne, commented: "As we embark on this new chapter together, we are both excited and well-prepared for Day 1. With our talented teams globally, in-depth expertise and capabilities, as well as deep hyperscaler partnerships, we will be excellently positioned to support customers on their digital transformation journeys. Today marks a unique moment to unlock opportunities and deliver significant value creation for all stakeholders." Nicole Dezen, Corporate Vice President and Chief Partner Officer at Microsoft, also provided a perspective from a key industry partner: "At Microsoft, we've been proud to call both Crayon and SoftwareOne strategic partners. Together, they become one of our largest partners, better positioned than ever to serve our mutual customers with broader reach, deeper expertise, and enhanced capabilities. We're excited about the opportunities this combination brings for the innovation we will jointly deliver and the impact this will have on our shared customers." Strategic rationale and financial outlook The combined company's strategic rationale is centred on complementary geographies and offerings, diversified customer base, and aligned values and cultures. SoftwareOne has estimated annual cost synergies of between CHF 80-100 million within eighteen months, in addition to its previously completed cost reduction programme. The company expects one-off implementation costs to be on par with these annual synergies. The transaction is funded by bridge facilities of approximately CHF 700 million, which will cover the total cash consideration of about CHF 515 million, inclusive of the compulsory acquisition, and provides refinancing of Crayon's existing debt. SoftwareOne intends to refinance the bridge into a long-term financial structure around completion, with net debt to adjusted EBITDA projected to be below 2.0 times by the end of 2025. The firm will maintain its dividend policy, retaining a pay-out ratio of 30-50% of adjusted net profit. Integration and branding The integration process starts with an established governance model and includes the implementation of a joint operating model, alignment of go-to-market offerings, IT systems integration, and legal structure consolidation where appropriate. Customer relationship retention and talent safeguarding remain core priorities during this transition. The combined organisation will operate under the SoftwareOne name and logo, retaining Crayon's brand heritage and customer approach within the evolved SoftwareOne brand. During a transition period, both brands will be visible to ensure continuity for customers, employees, and partners. Market listing and shareholder information SoftwareOne has issued more than 62 million new shares in connection with the transaction, resulting in a total of over 221 million issued shares, including treasury shares. The company's founding shareholders collectively hold 20.8% of the post-transaction share capital. Following completion of secondary listing, SoftwareOne shares will be cross-tradable between Euronext Oslo Børs and the SIX Swiss Exchange via Norwegian central security depository instructions. The joint company's executive board is led by Co-CEOs Raphael Erb and Melissa Mulholland, with regional presidents appointed for local oversight. SoftwareOne is headquartered in Stans, Switzerland, while Oslo will remain a significant centre for sales and other business operations. The half-year results for 2025 are scheduled to be presented by company leadership, who will also provide like-for-like financials and updated guidance for the second half of the year.
Channel Post MEA
04-07-2025
- Business
- Channel Post MEA
SoftwareOne Finalizes Acquisition Of Crayon
SoftwareOne Holding, a global provider of software and cloud solutions, has announced that it has completed its recommended voluntary takeover offer for all of the issued and outstanding shares of Crayon. 'Today marks an important milestone as SoftwareOne and Crayon join forces, combining two leading global providers of software and cloud solutions,' said Raphael Erb, Co-CEO of SoftwareOne. Together, we offer an unparalleled global presence with extensive local reach and an enhanced offering to deliver exceptional value for customers. Our shared commitment to customer success and innovation will offer new growth opportunities as our fast-growing industry continues to evolve in the era of AI.' 'As we embark on this new chapter together, we are both excited and well-prepared for Day 1. With our talented teams globally, in-depth expertise and capabilities, as well as deep hyperscaler partnerships, we will be excellently positioned to support customers on their digital transformation journeys,' said Melissa Mulholland, Co-CEO of SoftwareOne. 'Today marks a unique moment to unlock opportunities and deliver significant value creation for all stakeholders.' 'At Microsoft, we've been proud to call both Crayon and SoftwareOne strategic partners. Together, they become one of our largest partners, better positioned than ever to serve our mutual customers with broader reach, deeper expertise, and enhanced capabilities. We're excited about the opportunities this combination brings for the innovation we will jointly deliver and the impact this will have on our shared customers,' said Nicole Dezen, CVP and Chief Partner Officer at Microsoft. With total revenue of approximately CHF 1.6 billion, presence across 70+ countries and around 13,000 employees, the combined company is well-positioned as a preferred partner to both customers and vendors globally, driving additional growth and significant value creation for shareholders. The compelling strategic rationale is based on the two companies' complementary geographical footprint, customer base and offering, as well as shared values and culture. Following a joint evaluation, the unified organization will operate under the SoftwareOne name and logo, leveraging its global brand recognition while incorporating Crayon's distinctive strengths and legacy. This decision reflects the strategic integration of both companies' capabilities, values, and market presence. Crayon's cultural and operational attributes – including its brand heritage and customer-centric approach – will be embedded into an evolved SoftwareOne brand. During a transition period, the Crayon brand will remain active to ensure consistency, continuity, and recognition across customers and employees, channel, and partner engagements. With completion of the transaction, integration of the two companies officially starts today based on an established governance structure and thorough preparation by working groups from both companies since beginning of the year. Preparation spanned key functions, including strategy, sales & marketing, people & culture, IT, finance, amongst others, supported by internal and external post-merger experts. Following the announcement of the new Executive Board led by Co-CEOs Raphael Erb and Melissa Mulholland, the Regional Presidents have also been appointed. In addition to delivering on the synergy targets, the integration process will encompass implementation of a joint operating model, harmonisation of GTM and offering, as well as integration of IT systems and consolidation of legal structures in overlapping countries. Throughout the process, safeguarding customer relationships and retention of talent will remain priorities. The combined company will retain its legal domicile in Stans, Switzerland, while Oslo will remain an important hub for both sales activities and certain other functions.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Crayon expands Google Cloud partnership to include mid-market distribution, focused on AI innovation
OSLO, Norway, June 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Crayon, a global leader in IT services and innovation, announced a significant expansion of its strategic partnership with Google Cloud. This enhanced partnership will empower Crayon's extensive channel network to deliver Google Cloud's artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and cloud solutions more effectively to businesses worldwide by enabling Crayon's distribution capabilities across more market segments. As a Google Cloud Distributor, Crayon is crucial in enabling its broad network of resellers and channel partners, now including those who operate in the mid-market segment. This includes providing streamlined access to Google Cloud's portfolio, offering specialized support and enablement programs, and simplifying billing and management, with a strong emphasis on accelerating the adoption of Google Cloud's leading AI capabilities. "This expanded partnership with Google Cloud is a landmark achievement for Crayon and our partners," said Crayon CEO Melissa Mulholland. "Our strength lies in our extensive channel network, reaching hundreds of thousands of end-customers. As a Google Cloud Distributor, we can now equip our partners more effectively with the premier AI and cloud technologies from Google Cloud, enabling them to drive innovation and deliver exceptional value to their clients." Through closer collaboration with Google Cloud, Crayon aims to make powerful AI tools and infrastructure more accessible to organizations of all sizes, helping them innovate faster and harness the full potential of AI. "Crayon possesses a deep understanding of the channel and a vast ecosystem of partners skilled in cloud and AI solution delivery," said Kevin Ichhpurani, President, Global Partner Ecosystem at Google Cloud. "By continuing to elevate our partnership, Crayon and Google Cloud are helping companies of all types and sizes benefit from leading AI and trusted global cloud infrastructure." This collaboration underscores both companies' commitment to fostering innovation through the channel and empowering businesses with the cloud and AI technologies needed to thrive. CONTACT: For more information contact: Astrid Mannion-Gibson Global Senior Communications Manager, Crayon Phone: +47 466 32 010 Email: This information was brought to you by Cision View original content: SOURCE Crayon
Channel Post MEA
21-04-2025
- Business
- Channel Post MEA
Crayon Becomes Global Partner Of Alibaba Cloud
Crayon has been named the global partner of Alibaba Cloud – reinforcing its position as a leading multi-cloud advisor. This partnership expands Crayon's ability to help businesses integrate and optimize the secure and cutting-edge technology of Alibaba Cloud alongside Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and Oracle Cloud, ensuring customers make informed, strategic cloud decisions. Alibaba Cloud is the dominant cloud provider in China and plays a leading role in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and parts of Europe, where organizations rely on its infrastructure either as their primary cloud or as part of a multi-cloud strategy. Many businesses in finance, e-commerce, and AI-driven industries choose Alibaba Cloud for its regulatory compliance, scalability, and advanced AI capabilities. With this partnership, Crayon ensures customers can adopt Alibaba Cloud while maintaining interoperability across cloud platforms, managing costs effectively, and meeting compliance requirements. 'Businesses don't just need more cloud options – they need the right expertise to make the best cloud decisions,' said Melissa Mulholland, CEO at Crayon. 'As Alibaba Cloud's global partner, we are uniquely positioned to help organizations optimize their cloud strategies – whether they are entering new markets, balancing multi-cloud performance, or ensuring compliance across regions.' 'We are delighted to have Crayon as our global partner. As Alibaba Cloud continues to expand globally, I believe that our partnership with Crayon will deliver enormous mutual benefit to both our customers and channels. Combining Alibaba Cloud's innovation and AI capabilities together with Crayon's technical competence and cloud optimization, the partnership will provide customers with an impressive new choice of services to consider,' said Selina Yuan, President of International Business, Alibaba Cloud Intelligence. For businesses expanding into Asia and high-growth markets, this partnership provides the necessary advisory expertise to navigate cloud complexity and local regulations while ensuring seamless integration with existing cloud environments. Crayon's deep experience in FinOps and cloud cost optimization ensures that companies can scale efficiently while maintaining control over cloud spending and performance. This collaboration also strengthens Crayon's partner network, including ISVs and system integrators, who can now leverage Alibaba Cloud's global infrastructure as part of their offerings. By adding Alibaba Cloud to its advisory services, Crayon continues to provide customers with the insights and expertise needed to build resilient, scalable, and cost-efficient cloud strategies. 0 0
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Crayon becomes Alibaba Cloud's global partner, enhancing multi-cloud advisory services
OSLO, Norway, April 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Crayon has been named the global partner of Alibaba Cloud - reinforcing its position as a leading multi-cloud advisor. This partnership expands Crayon's ability to help businesses integrate and optimize the secure and cutting-edge technology of Alibaba Cloud alongside Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and Oracle Cloud, ensuring customers make informed, strategic cloud decisions. Alibaba Cloud is the dominant cloud provider in China and plays a leading role in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and parts of Europe, where organizations rely on its infrastructure either as their primary cloud or as part of a multi-cloud strategy. Many businesses in finance, e-commerce, and AI-driven industries choose Alibaba Cloud for its regulatory compliance, scalability, and advanced AI capabilities. With this partnership, Crayon ensures customers can adopt Alibaba Cloud while maintaining interoperability across cloud platforms, managing costs effectively, and meeting compliance requirements. "Businesses don't just need more cloud options – they need the right expertise to make the best cloud decisions," said Melissa Mulholland, CEO at Crayon. "As Alibaba Cloud's global partner, we are uniquely positioned to help organizations optimize their cloud strategies – whether they are entering new markets, balancing multi-cloud performance, or ensuring compliance across regions." "We are delighted to have Crayon as our global partner. As Alibaba Cloud continues to expand globally, I believe that our partnership with Crayon will deliver enormous mutual benefit to both our customers and channels. Combining Alibaba Cloud's innovation and AI capabilities together with Crayon's technical competence and cloud optimization, the partnership will provide customers with an impressive new choice of services to consider," said Selina Yuan, President of International Business, Alibaba Cloud Intelligence. For businesses expanding into Asia and high-growth markets, this partnership provides the necessary advisory expertise to navigate cloud complexity and local regulations while ensuring seamless integration with existing cloud environments. Crayon's deep experience in FinOps and cloud cost optimization ensures that companies can scale efficiently while maintaining control over cloud spending and performance. This collaboration also strengthens Crayon's partner network, including ISVs and system integrators, who can now leverage Alibaba Cloud's global infrastructure as part of their offerings. By adding Alibaba Cloud to its advisory services, Crayon continues to provide customers with the insights and expertise needed to build resilient, scalable, and cost-efficient cloud strategies. For media enquiries, please contact:Astrid Mannion-GibsonGlobal Senior Communications Manager, CrayonPhone: +47 466 32 010Email: FuCommunication Manager, Alibaba CloudPhone: +86 156 0180 4303Email: About Crayon Crayon, headquartered in Oslo, Norway, spans 46 countries with 4,000 professionals. More than 100,000 diverse businesses trust us to help them strategically acquire and optimize software investments, embrace cloud and AI technologies, and drive innovation through enhanced efficiency with a positive impact for the greater good. We are on the customers' side. Always. Explore more at About Alibaba Cloud Established in 2009, Alibaba Cloud ( is the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group. It offers a complete suite of cloud services to customers worldwide, including elastic computing, database, storage, network virtualization services, large-scale computing, security, big data analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) services. Alibaba has been named the leading IaaS provider in Asia Pacific by revenue in U.S. dollars since 2018, according to Gartner. It has also maintained its position as one of the world's leading public cloud IaaS service providers since 2018, according to IDC. This information was brought to you by Cision The following files are available for download: AllBaba AdobeStock 174336399 1 View original content: Sign in to access your portfolio
