Datacom acquires NetOptions to enter QLD

Stan Beer
Sunday, 11 September 2005 09:29

IT Industry - Strategy

IT services provider, Datacom, has acquired Brisbane-based IT services company NetOptions in a drive to expand its Queensland reach.

Under the terms of the merger, NetOptions becomes a subsidiary of Datacom, bringing the combined entity's annual Australian revenues to more than $120 million and staff numbers to 630.

Through the merger, Datacom expands its geographical reach into Queensland – giving the company a strong presence along the length of Australia's eastern seaboard.

The partnership also strengthens Datacom's growing links with Federal and State Governments as well as the Australian education sector. NetOptions has over 500 clients and is active in Government accounts, the Queensland education sector, including with Education Queensland, and as the IT partner of some of Australia's largest private companies.

Established in 1990, NetOptions is a Brisbane based business providing a suite of IT services and procurement support to companies operating from or into the Queensland market. NetOptions's 50 staff will be absorbed into Datacom's operations, boosting the IT services provider's staff numbers to over 630 people nationally.

Michael Browne, CEO of Datacom, says that the decision to merge with NetOptions reflects the two organisations' complementary skills, similar cultural values and shared goal of progressive growth across Australia.

"Datacom saw a need within our existing customer base for direct support in Queensland and we're delighted that we can meet those customers' requirements, as well as service new customers in the Government and broader Queensland business market," says Browne.

"Increasingly Australian companies and government entities are looking for fresh, more agile approaches to fully realise the value of their investments in technology, the strength of Datacom's growth attests to the success with which we have been able to meet that demand.

"This partnership is another further step forward in our move to meet the demands of the market and through it Datacom is one step closer to gaining the presence necessary to achieve our overarching strategy of becoming Australia's largest vendor-independent professional IT services company."

Richard McAlary CEO of NetOptions, says, "NetOptions is proud to join forces with Datacom, a company that has proven the strength of its model and strong services orientation through consistent growth and profitability over the past 10 years in Australia.

"The expanded Datacom can now offer local customers a broader reach of services, as well as greater depth of expertise drawn from resources in Australia and overseas."