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23 Jul 2007
Telecoms reseller Freedom is putting the finishing touches to a major investment plan as it gears up for a shopping spree in the data space.
The Watford-based Alcatel-Lucent specialist launched a data unit in February focused on Cisco, Alcatel-Lucent and Hewlett-Packard (HP) in an attempt to cash-in on the convergence boom.
Having since identified 150 convergence projects within its client base, Freedom has decided demand is high enough for it to bolster the unit with acquisitions.
Tom Perry, head of marketing at Freedom, said: “We’ve taken an invest-and-test approach. Now we know it is working we’ll look to acquire companies valued at between £5m and £10m.
“We’re certainly looking for a data firm in the LAN and WAN space, and will look for a desktop services company shortly after.”
Perry, who listed firms with Cisco and Microsoft skills as top of his wish-list, said Freedom would bankroll the spending splurge with a “multimillion-pound investment deal”, but declined to reveal further details.
The development comes as Freedom, which recently opened an office in Leeds, announced a 21 per cent leap in turnover to £17.7m for the year to 31 March.
Perry said he expects 10 per cent of turnover to be generated by data sales by the end of the year.
Peter Tebbut, marketing director at Alcatel-Lucent’s enterprise division UK and Ireland, said: “Freedom has recognised the need to be seen as more of a convergence player. This is good news for us as it increases Freedom’s ability to sell Alcatel’s voice and data equipment.”
Peter Tankard, managing director of rival Alcatel-Lucent reseller Integ rated Business Systems, said: “It’s a very sensible strategy and if we were bigger we would look to do the same.
“To protect their customer base, resellers will need to be in the convergence space. I’d be surprised if most other firms don’t do the same.”
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