Dimension Data expands cloud capabilities

Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 22 June 2010 17:33

IT Industry - Deals

Dimension Data is to expand its data centre, cloud computing and infrastructure-as-service capabilities by taking a majority stake in IT and telecommunications services provider, Netforce, and merging Netforce's operations with those of its own cloud computing provider, BlueFire.

According to Dimension Data, both Sydney-based companies offer complementary hosted and managed IT services, primarily to the Australian and New Zealand mid-market. Dimension Data acquired a majority shareholding in BlueFire in October 2008.

The merged entity will retain the BlueFire brand, but will consolidate offices in Netforce's existing North Ryde headquarters, which houses a new tier 2 data centre and purpose-built business continuity suites.

On completion of the merger BlueFire will have 75 staff and more than 500 clients. It will host in excess of 1500 servers and associated infrastructure. Its clients will include Ascent Pharmaceuticals, AVJennings, Global Television, Grindley Construction, HY-TEC Industries, Realestate.com.au, RedBalloon, Royal Wolf Trading, Rubicor Group and WPS Financial Group.


At the time of its investment in BlueFire Dimension Data Australia's CEO, Steve Nola, said: "Many clients are looking to source cloud-based services for strategic parts of their IT infrastructure, and it is really important that we can provide viable options to allow our clients to maintain a centralised services engagement with Dimension Data."

The operational consolidation of BlueFire and Netforce is expected to be concluded by the end of August 2010, with no impact on the two companies' existing clients.