It is quickly becoming common knowledge that two of the largest Value Added Resellers (VAR) for Autodesk software have just made a huge impact on the entire industry by merging. Those two companies are Avatech Solutions and Rand Worldwide, which is the parent company to IMAGINiT Technologies — Rand Worldwide’s Autodesk-related business division. There are now several places online and in print you can find details about this merger and how it affects both businesses involved. However, I’m going to merely skim over that information, supply links to the sources, and provide some new perspectives. Keep reading to find out more.

Rand Worldwide and Avatech Solutions are undergoing a reverse merger, which basically allows a private organization the ability to acquire a publicly traded company. The two companies are forming the newly named Rand Worldwide, Inc. which will be OTC traded and all Autodesk-related business will continue to operate under the IMAGINiT Technologies brand. Another brand that will be brought under the same umbrella as Rand Worldwide, Inc. is Ascent, “A leading developer of high-quality professional training and knowledge products for Autodesk, Dassault Systèmes, and PTC software solutions.” Rand Worldwide, Inc. will also continue development and sales of internally developed software products, IT infrastructure, as well as training, professional consulting. and implementation services for Dassault Systèmes, Pro/ENGINEER and Siemens PLM products.

For more details on the merger, operations, financials, etc. please check out any of the following links:
Businesswire Press Release
What This Means for Customers
A 3rd Party Perspective

Now here is something that should set this post apart. Below is a map consisting of all office locations between Avatech Solutions, Inc. and Rand Worldwide combined. The map is pretty self explanatory, but you can interact with all the pinpoints to find details on each location, pan and zoom, and change the style of the map to see aerial images. Also note that you can pan over to Australia Malaysia, and Singapore to see the 4 office locations outside of North America. (Keep in mind I put this together rather quickly, so there may be some errors or inaccuracies.)

View Rand Worldwide, Inc. Merged Locations in a larger map

With little exception, I think we will likely see these locations remain and quite possibly expand. However, with any merger there are “workforce reduction” and “cost streamlining practices.” This deal won’t be an exception either, just as noted within the linked reports. How, who, when and why are questions that will remain unanswered until they happen, though.

If you are asking yourself why there is so much information flying about this merger, here is the shortest and simplest answer: This newly formed company– Rand Worldwide, Inc. — is now the largest Autodesk VAR in the world. Whether you or your company has or does do business with any Autodesk reseller and value added services provider, you can be sure this will affect future services, competition, and offerings throughout the industry.

Before closing this article I must offer a disclaimer: I am an Avatech Solutions employee and, subsequently, directly impacted by this merger. My opinions and the content of this website as a whole is in no way a reflection of the opinion of, reviewed, or approved by my employer. Also, all this information is publicly available and I’ve attempted to provide sources where applicable.

Please join in on the conversation below within the comments to discuss this deal of epic proportions!