What Troxell does

Bluum (formerly Trox & Tierney, originally referenced in the source as Troxell) is a privately held K-20 education technology solutions provider headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, operating across all 50 states and serving more than 3,000 client accounts in North America. The company delivers outcome-based EdTech solutions spanning the full lifecycle of classroom technology, from planning and procurement through deployment, professional learning, and end-of-life disposal. Its core product portfolio covers computing devices (Chromebooks, teacher devices, refurbished hardware, and Apple devices in Canada), interactive displays, AV systems, networking, cybersecurity, physical security, STEM labs, esports programs, and software solutions, with access to more than 60,000 EdTech SKUs.

The business is built on a platform-plus-services model. Bluum generates revenue primarily through hardware sales, supplemented by a professional services layer that includes integration and installation, IT asset management, warranties and repair, white-glove delivery, technical support, and eco-friendly device disposal. A professional learning offering, anchored by the Bluum Learning Hub self-paced platform and embedded coaching services, extends the relationship into educator development. Flexible leasing and financing options convert what would otherwise be one-time capital purchases into multi-year recurring contracts, addressing the budget constraints typical of K-20 procurement.

Bluum reaches the market through direct enterprise field sales, deploying dedicated Account Executives who provide consultative selling, strategic planning, and research advisory to schools and districts. The company maintains core reseller relationships with Apple (exclusive for Canadian education), Google, and Microsoft, positioning it as a multi-platform integrator of competing device ecosystems. Lead generation is supported by the BluumLIVE event series, tradeshow participation, whitepapers, and earned media in education technology publications. With 30+ years of operating history and 18+ industry awards, Bluum competes as an established mid-market solutions provider rather than a single-category vendor.

Name

Troxell

Legal name

Bluum

Website

https://troxellsolutions.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Bluum (formerly Troxell/Trox & Tierney) is a privately held K-20 education technology solutions provider serving 3,000+ schools and districts across all 50 states with devices, AV, networking, cybersecurity, and full lifecycle services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Phoenix

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hardware/Device Sales: Sales of education technology devices including Chromebooks, student devices, teacher devices, refurbished hardware, and open-box deals. Revenue generated through one-time purchase transactions with schools and districts.
2. Solutions Portfolio: Sales of AV solutions, interactive displays, STEM equipment, esports gear, cybersecurity and networking products, and physical security systems to educational institutions.
3. Professional Services: Lifecycle services including integration and installation, asset management, professional learning, embedded coaching, consultation and design, technical support, warranties and repair, and white glove services.
4. Leasing and Financing: Device leasing and financing options enabling schools to acquire technology through flexible payment arrangements rather than large upfront capital expenditures.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Troxell, now operating as Bluum (formerly Trox & Tierney), is an education technology solutions provider for K-20 schools across North America. The company sells hardware (Chromebooks, interactive displays, AV, cybersecurity, physical security, STEM, esports, networking), bundled with comprehensive lifecycle services including integration, installation, asset management, professional learning, technical support, warranties, and financing. It operates a 50-state direct enterprise sales model with locally-based EdTech experts serving 3,000+ client accounts.

Product overview

Troxell, now operating as Bluum, is a comprehensive K-20 education technology solutions provider offering a platform-plus-services model. The core product portfolio includes Devices (Chromebooks, teacher devices, refurbished hardware), Interactive Displays and Tools, AV Solutions, Cybersecurity and Physical Security, STEM Solutions, Esports Programs, Software, and Networking Solutions. These hardware and software offerings are supported by an extensive suite of lifecycle services including procurement, integration and installation, asset management, professional learning (Embedded Coaching, Bluum Learning Hub self-paced platform, Tech Space Assistant), advisory services (Strategic Planning, Research Advisory), technical support, warranties and repair, leasing and financing, and consultation and design services. The company serves K-20 schools and districts across North America with outcome-based technology solutions spanning technology procurement, deployment, professional development, and eco-friendly disposal.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Education Technology Devices Computing devices for K-20 schools, including student Chromebooks, teacher devices, open-box deals, refurbished hardware, and Apple devices (exclusive Apple reseller in Canada). Sized for both individual school one-off orders and district-wide refreshes.
• Interactive Displays and Tools Touchscreen displays and dynamic teaching tools combining intuitive hardware and software designed for K-12 classrooms.
• AV Solutions Cost-effective, user-friendly audiovisual tools designed to enhance teaching and support impactful instruction in classrooms.
• Cybersecurity Solutions Network security and threat protection solutions for schools to guard against data leaks and cybercriminals.
• Physical Security Solutions Solutions protecting students, staff, and school property from physical threats.
• STEM Solutions Hands-on STEM labs and maker spaces with tools for problem-solving and critical thinking across science, technology, engineering, and math.
• Esports Programs School esports programs with gear, expertise, and advisory services to build sustainable programs that strengthen student engagement and community.
• Software Solutions Educational software solutions for K-20 schools.
• Networking Solutions Network infrastructure solutions for educational institutions.
• Integration and Installation Services Professional installation and integration services for technology deployment in schools and districts.
• IT Asset Management IT asset management services for tracking and optimizing school technology investments.
• Advisory Services (Strategic Planning and Research Advisory) Strategic planning and research-based advisory services helping schools and districts develop technology roadmaps and make informed EdTech decisions.
• Professional Learning Services Professional development services for educators including embedded coaching, self-paced learning through the Bluum Learning Hub, and Tech Space Assistant support.
• Consultation and Design Services Technology consultation and facility design services for optimal learning environments.
• Leasing and Financing Flexible financing and leasing options enabling schools to acquire technology through payment arrangements rather than large upfront capital expenditures.
• White Glove Service Premium delivery and setup services for school technology deployments.
• Warranties and Repair Warranty and repair services for supported technology products.
• Technical Support Ongoing technical support services for school technology deployments.
• Lifecycle Management Services End-to-end lifecycle management for educational technology assets spanning procurement, deployment, support, and eco-friendly disposal.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3,000+ client accounts served
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• ApplecoreTechnology or IntegrationBluum is an exclusive Apple reseller offering Apple devices to educational institutions in Canada and likely the US. This partnership enables Bluum to provide Apple products as part of their comprehensive EdTech solutions portfolio for schools.
• GooglecoreTechnology or IntegrationBluum provides Google Chromebooks and related Google education technology solutions. The company offers student Chromebooks and teacher devices as core products in their device portfolio.
• MicrosoftcoreTechnology or IntegrationBluum serves as a technology solutions provider offering Microsoft-based education technology products and services, supporting multi-platform learning environments in schools.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SHI International: SHI is a large IT solutions provider with a substantial K-12 and higher-education vertical selling devices, software, and lifecycle services. Competes head-to-head with Bluum on district-wide device deployments and managed services contracts.
• Connection (Public Sector): Connection operates a dedicated public-sector/education IT solutions business reselling hardware, software, and lifecycle services to schools and government. Directly comparable to Bluum in customer profile, vendor mix, and contract structure.
• Carahsoft: Carahsoft is the leading government and education IT distributor in North America, aggregating thousands of software and hardware vendors and selling into K-12, higher-ed, and state/local government under similar contract vehicles. Direct competitor for software-led and increasingly device-led K-12 deals.
• CDW (CDW-G Education): CDW is the largest North American IT solutions provider and operates a dedicated CDW-G public-sector/education practice that resells devices, networking, and AV to K-12 and higher-ed institutions under a similar lifecycle-services model. It is the closest direct competitor to Bluum across hardware distribution, professional services, and K-12 district relationships.

Broad incumbents

• Presidio: Presidio is a large IT solutions and managed-services provider serving enterprises and public-sector clients. While its education exposure is more limited than Bluum's, it competes on district-wide networking, cybersecurity, and AV integration deals.
• HP Inc. (Education): HP is a leading education-focused OEM of Chromebooks, laptops, and printers with a direct K-12 sales motion alongside partner resellers. Competes with Bluum as an OEM and on device-led district refresh contracts.
• Dell Technologies (Education): Dell is a major OEM of devices, servers, and networking that increasingly sells direct to K-12 districts and through partners like Bluum. As an OEM, Dell competes on direct relationships for large district deals and is both a supplier and competitor to Bluum.
• Insight Enterprises: Insight is a Fortune 500 global IT solutions provider serving enterprises and public-sector clients with hardware, software, and services. Operates a public-sector/education vertical that overlaps with Bluum but as part of a much broader portfolio across many industries.

Emerging players

• Kajeet: Kajeet is a K-12-focused provider of managed mobile connectivity, hotspot solutions, and filtering services for school districts. Overlaps with Bluum's networking and device categories but is narrower in scope and primarily a niche player in school connectivity.
• Edlio: Edlio is a K-12-specific EdTech platform for district websites, communications, and parent engagement. A niche emerging player that overlaps thematically with Bluum's K-12 digital solutions strategy but addresses a different functional category.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/troxell-communications

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Troxell