Auckland-based ICT systems integrator Softsource has set its eyes on Christchurch, today announcing plans to acquire Christchurch-based cloud service provider vBridge.
While Softsource has not disclosed how much the acquisition is worth, the company's sales director John Harrop says that the combination of resources and skills will mean the company can offer more comprehensive suite of hybrid cloud services nationwide - all whilst remaining locally-owned and operated.
Harrop says that both businesses have experienced strong growth recently, and it was time to expand service offerings without losing sight of their core strengths.
vBridge owns and markets the MyCloudSpace suite of cloud applications, while Softsource provides solutions, services, expertise, and data center services to government, enterprises, and SMBs.
As part of the acquisition, vBridge plans to focus on further developing this suite.
vBridge CEO Todd Cassie says, “By joining forces, we can maintain our strong focus on our areas of excellence while being able to offer a suite of products and services from a partner organisation that we have 100% trust in. Together our two companies can deliver leading services and help New Zealand businesses drive forward with digital transformation.
Harrop says COVID-19 also had a part to play in the growth of business demand last year.
“The challenges businesses faced due to COVID-19 have accelerated the uptake of cloud services and we expect this trend to continue. This acquisition gives us a solid foundation to help customers make the transition from on-premises to cloud, both in terms of our capabilities and our support infrastructure.
He adds that the relationship between the two companies has been longstanding.
“We had an agreement in place during the height of COVID-19 to support each other's customers and we realised there were many benefits we could bring to our customers and partners together that we couldn't alone. We recognised there was a level of trust and cultural fit between our respective teams that made this a logical move,” says Harrop.
The acquisition is business as usual for customers, management, and staff changes.
Harrop adds that both organisations will continue to operate as separate entities. They will ensure that customer engagement and satisfaction is ‘of paramount importance', he says.
“With extra resources to support customers and an expanded suite of offerings both groups of customers get the benefit of the support of the larger organisation while retaining the focus and commitment of their current partner,” Harrop concludes.