3/16/2006 -- Global Knowledge announced Tuesday its acquisition of Azlan Training, a division of U.S.-based Tech Data Corp, becoming the largest IT training provider in Europe, the company said in a statement.

With the deal, Global Knowledge will have training centers in 12 countries and projected revenues of about $100 million. The Cary, North Carolina-headquartered IT training provider also becomes the largest Cisco Learning Solutions Partner both worldwide and in Europe as well as the largest Microsoft Certified Partner for Learning Solutions in Europe, according to the press release.

"By acquiring Azlan Training we have a unique opportunity to re-define the competitive landscape in a fragmented IT training market," said Bob Lewis, vice president and managing director for Global Knowledge EMEA.

Johannes Foerner, Microsoft Learning EMEA's director, said, "With the merger of Azlan Training and Global Knowledge, Microsoft customers will be able to access a multitude of Microsoft Learning solutions across an enhanced European and global footprint."

The combined company will operate under the Global Knowledge brand in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the U.K.

Tech Data Corp. is a value-added distributor of servers, storage and enterprise software and services in Europe and the Middle East. The company acquired Azlan, the parent company of Azlan Training, in 2003.

For more information, go here. -Dan Hong