Rumors are circulating that Compaq Computer Corp is set to announce the acquisition of a major US reseller, with Inacom Corp the reported target. Citing sources at the company and several of Compaq’s European distributors, UK-based channels and services publication IT Europa reported Wednesday that the PC maker will announce the acquisition as soon as this week.
An acquisition such as that of Inacom makes sense because it would instantly give Compaq the infrastructure necessary to deliver both hardware and services to its large US accounts, IT Europa said. The deal would also allow the company, which has struggled since its acquisition of Digital Equipment Corp, compete on more equal ground with direct vendors like Dell Computer Corp and Gateway Inc – something Compaq has been trying to accomplish for the past couple of years with only limited success.
What the rumored deal would mean for the other major distributors that count on the sale of Compaq products for a substantial portion of their revenues, is less clear. Forging the right channel strategy has been an ongoing effort for Compaq. In May, the company cut the number of its distribution partners from 39 to just four – Inacom, Ingram Micro Inc, Tech Data Corp and Merisel Inc. The acquisition of one of those companies could effectively eliminate the middle man from all of Compaq’s US sales. Compaq could not be reached for comment before press time.
