Software Connection acquires Comtec for #10 million

Veteran training operation Comtec has surrendered its privately owned status to a South African company, claiming it needed to tap into the huge resources offered for being part of a large group.

Comtec, formerly owned by managing director Charles Caudle, has been bought by Software Connection - South Africa's largest Microsoft Authorised Training Education Centre (ATEC) - for #10 million. The UK organisation was established 17 years ago.

Caudle said: 'The time to be part of a larger, well-funded public company like Software Connection is just right.'

He said the deal was one of many in the past year, which has seen UK training firms snapped up by large US and European groups.

Justin Pringle, business development manager at Comtec, said the ability to tap extra cash was not the main reason for the sale but was an advantage of belonging to a larger organisation.

He said it meant Comtec would have more resources for additional projects.

In the past, 'Charles had to go down the bank' for extra cash.

Caudle said: 'Our new parent gives us the means to develop a European training and consultancy business.'

Comtec will retain an individual identity separate from Software Connection under the deal.

Caudle will remain managing director but will also take on the role of European managing director for the planned expansion by its parent company.

Pringle said Microsoft's relaxing of ATEC status, as revealed in last week's PC Dealer, did not affect the sale but expected the accreditation to be devalued by the decision to widen acceptance.