(Note: This story was originally posted to CRN.com Aug. 10.)

Eyes On Verticals

M&A activity in the channel was hot in July with 11 deals. Five of the acquired firms specialize in solutions for such industries as health care, retail, legal, industrial or automotive.

Digital and design services were also in high demand, with thee of the 11 having carved out niches in such areas as user behavior, the industrial Internet of Things (IoT) and social sciences-based IT development.

Five of the 11 acquiring companies can be found in CRN's Solution Provider 500.

Among the acquisition targets, five are based abroad, two are in the Midwest, two in the South, one on the West Coast and another based in the Northeast. They employ a combined 26,400.

Acquisitions are ranked based on the total number of employees at the firms being acquired.