VAR 500 member Sysix Technologies closes following CEO’s suicide

Online site CRN (Computer Reseller News) is reporting today that one of the members of their VAR 500 list, Sysix Technologies, has closed following the July 2009 suicide death of CEO John Schaeffer. The company had been on CRN’s VAR 500 list since 2002 and was most recently ranked #286 on the 2009  VAR 500.

From the Sysix LinkedIn page:

For over 20 years, Sysix continues to be your single source provider of broad-based integrated business IT solutions. As a national provider of business technology from leading computer hardware and software manufacturers – we can help you to effectively manage your technology solution by combining industry leading products with innovative consulting services and flexible financing options to meet your technology needs, industry focus and budget requirements. via Sysix LinkedIN Company Page

Sysix’s LinkedIN page claimed revenues of over $94 million and 60 employees.

According to a Hoover’s entry:

Sysix Solutions helps firms get their IT act together. Operating through three units — Sysix Financial, Sysix Consulting, and Sysix Technologies — the company designs, leases, and installs IT systems. The value-added reseller carries products from Cisco, Datatel, Dell, EMC, Hitachi Data Systems, IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, PlateSpin, PolyServe, Sun Microsystems, and VERITAS, among other vendors. Customers have included Dana, Goodrich, the Moody Bible Institute, Tenneco, and the law firm of Ungaretti & Harris. Founded in 1988, Sysix has offices across the US. CEO John Sheaffer is the majority shareholder.

CRN  is reporting that Sysix closed at the end of July idling over 40 employees. This closing appears to have recently been finalized as noted in a story that CRN did on August 25, 2009.

Why So Little CRN Coverage Of A SuddenVAR 500  Closing?

Surprisingly there is not much (if any)  follow-up coverage for the sudden closing of one of CRN’s own VAR 500.

In July 2009 when the MIS Group, Sage’s largest business partner, closed abruptly CRN followed up with several posts that spotlighted the type of problems that they felt were indicated by this sudden closing.

Sysix had been a member of CRN’s VAR 500 for the last consecutive 8 years. Yet aside from a story announcing the sudden demise of the firm, there’s very little (if anything) that I was able to find by searching the CRN site.

While Sysix’s closing appears to only have been finalized recently the site notes that the doors were shut at the end of July 2009. Sage business partner MIS Group closed over the July 4th holiday weekend and CRN first posted on their demise here, then followed up with a scathing post on July 24, 2009 which compared MIS Group (not a VAR 500 member) to AIG.

Will there be a similar feature story from CRN on the sudden closing of one of their VAR 500 members?