Quest Software acquired Vintela to extend its Microsoft Active Directory and Windows management capabilities to Unix, Linux, Mac, and Java environments. Quest announced the agreement on May 31, 2005, and completed the acquisition on July 8, 2005. Its later filing put the total purchase price at $76.5 million.
Why did Quest acquire Vintela?
Quest aimed to help organizations manage identity and systems across mixed technology environments, rather than limiting its Windows-focused tools to Windows machines. Vintela’s platform-integration software connected non-Windows systems to Microsoft Active Directory and extended Windows management functions across them. Quest described the acquisition as part of its strategy for Windows-centric platform integration and identity management.
The combined product roadmap included cross-platform user provisioning, password management, and end-user self-management. The companies’ May 31, 2005 announcement framed the deal as a way to extend Active Directory’s usefulness throughout enterprise environments.
What did Vintela add to Quest’s products?
Vintela brought four product families covering authentication, Java single sign-on, policy, and systems management:
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →#1 Best Overall
| Product | Capability described by Quest |
|---|---|
| Vintela Authentication Services (VAS) | Cross-platform identity management and authentication using Active Directory. |
| Vintela Single Sign-on for Java (VSJ) | Single sign-on for J2EE environments in Active Directory. |
| Vintela Group Policy (VGP) | Group Policy for Unix and Linux. |
| Vintela Management Extensions (VMX) | SMS extensions for Unix, Linux, and Mac OS X. |
Together, these capabilities addressed different layers of administration: authenticating users against Active Directory, applying policy to Unix and Linux systems, supporting Java application sign-on, and extending management coverage to additional operating systems.
How much did Quest pay?
Quest’s 2006 Form 10-K reported a final purchase price of $76.5 million for the acquisition. It consisted of $57.5 million in cash, $18.5 million representing the fair value of assumed Vintela options, and $0.5 million in direct acquisition costs. [Quest Software 2005 Form 10-K]
Rank #2
- Ideal for Gifting
- Ideal for a bookworm
- Compact for travelling
That final total differed from the announcement estimate. On May 31, 2005, Quest said it expected to pay approximately $56.5 million in cash and assume options for about 1.5 million Quest shares, subject to closing adjustments. The later filing records the completed transaction’s consideration, rather than the initial estimate. [Quest’s May 31, 2005 announcement]
When did the acquisition close?
Quest announced that it had signed a definitive agreement to acquire Vintela on May 31, 2005. The acquisition’s effective date was July 8, 2005, according to Quest’s Form 10-K. [Quest Software 2005 Form 10-K]
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →What was the early financial contribution?
Quest reported that Vintela contributed approximately $2.4 million to overall revenue growth for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005. This is a contribution to revenue growth for those reporting periods, not a separately stated purchase return or profit figure. [Quest Software quarterly filing for the period ended September 30, 2005]
Quick Recap
Best Value
- It can be a gift option
- Comes with secure packaging
- Helpful in various ways
Rank #4
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
