Software Spectrum

Software Spectrum developed as a software-reseller business serving organizations that needed to acquire and manage commercial software. The available historical material identifies the company as American and places its headquarters in Garland, Texas, but does not provide a verified founding year, founder, or detailed account of its early development. Its business model centered on software distribution and licensing rather than software publishing. Software Spectrum supplied software for personal computers and servers and represented products from several large technology vendors. Microsoft was especially important to the company: it was described as the world's largest Microsoft Large Account Reseller. In that capacity, the company occupied an enterprise channel role, helping large customers obtain Microsoft software licenses. The reference material also names Adobe, Symantec, and Trend Micro among the vendors whose products it sold, showing that the portfolio reached beyond Microsoft into creative, productivity, security, and related enterprise software categories. The company maintained a presence outside its Texas base. Offices were identified in Spokane, Washington, as well as Dublin, Ireland, and Sydney, Australia. These offices suggest an operating footprint spanning the United States and selected international locations, although the available sources do not document the company's complete branch network, customer segments, or international revenue. At one point Software Spectrum traded publicly under the symbol SSPE. Its ownership changed materially in 2002, when Level 3 Communications acquired the company. The transaction placed a software-reseller operation inside a larger communications and technology-services group. Four years later, in September 2006, Level 3 sold Software Spectrum to Insight Enterprises. This second transaction moved the company into Insight's broader technology-solutions and software-distribution organization. The available reference material does not explain the operational consequences of either acquisition, including whether the Software Spectrum name was retained, integrated into the buyer's business, or subsequently discontinued. It also does not provide reliable information about later executives, financial performance, product launches, marketing campaigns, legal disputes, or the brand's current commercial status. Accordingly, the historical record supports identifying Software Spectrum as a significant enterprise software reseller and Microsoft large-account licensing intermediary, but not a detailed account of its final corporate structure or present-day operations.

• 2006

  Sale to Insight Enterprises

  [1]Software Spectrumen.wikipedia.org

  Level 3 Communications sold Software Spectrum to Insight Enterprises in September 2006.

• 2002

  Acquisition by Level 3 Communications

  [1]Software Spectrumen.wikipedia.org

  Level 3 Communications acquired Software Spectrum, bringing the software-reseller business under new corporate ownership.

Enterprise-oriented software reseller and licensing intermediary, with a particularly strong position in Microsoft large-account licensing and a broader portfolio of PC, server, productivity, creative, and security software.

• Enterprise software licensing

  Microsoft enterprise software licensing

  Software Spectrum's most distinctive offering was its Microsoft Large Account Reseller activity. The company supplied Microsoft software to large organizational customers through the enterprise licensing channel. The available source identifies the brand as the world's largest Microsoft LAR, but does not specify the individual Microsoft products, contract structures, or support services included.

• Software distribution

  PC and server software

  The reseller offered software for personal computers and servers. This broad category reflects its role as a channel partner and distributor rather than a publisher of proprietary applications. The reference material does not provide a complete list of editions, platforms, licensing models, or technical services.

• Creative and productivity software

  Adobe software

  Adobe was among the software vendors whose products Software Spectrum sold. The available material does not identify particular Adobe applications or indicate whether the relationship focused on enterprise licensing, retail distribution, or both.

• Security software

  Symantec software

  Software Spectrum distributed Symantec software as part of its broader PC, server, and enterprise software portfolio. No specific Symantec product families or sales arrangements are documented in the supplied sources.

• Security software

  Trend Micro software

  Trend Micro products were also included among the software sold by Software Spectrum. The available reference does not specify the particular security products, customer segments, or period of distribution.

• 2006

  Sale to Insight EnterprisesM&A

  Background

  After owning Software Spectrum for several years, Level 3 Communications sold the reseller in September 2006.

  Action taken

  Level 3 Communications transferred Software Spectrum to Insight Enterprises.

  Aftermath

  Software Spectrum became part of Insight Enterprises' technology and software-distribution organization. The available sources do not establish whether the brand remained independently active afterward.

  Source

• 2002

  Accepted acquisition by Level 3 CommunicationsM&A

  Background

  Software Spectrum operated as a software reseller with a major Microsoft large-account licensing position when Level 3 Communications acquired it.

  Action taken

  Level 3 Communications purchased Software Spectrum and assumed ownership of the reseller business.

  Aftermath

  The acquisition placed Software Spectrum within Level 3 Communications. The available sources do not describe subsequent integration or brand changes.

  Source

1. 1Software Spectrumen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Software Spectrum: Have They Got A Program For Youbloomberg.com