Global video comms resellers CityIS and Viju join forces

Merger aims to capitalise on demand for sophisticated videoconferencing

Viju supplies telemedicine assistance to workers on offshore oil rigs

Video communications reseller CityIS, founded in the UK in 1997 before expanding globally, has been acquired by Norwegian rival Viju.

Specific terms of the merger were not made available at press time. However, CityIS is expected to continue operating under the same name, but as part of the Viju Group.

Rune Jensen, chairman of Viju Group, will also manage the CityIS subsidiaries alongside Viju chief executive Kurt Helland and CityIS founder and chairman John Thompson.

“Both companies have experienced strong growth despite the financial turmoil in recent years and we have an optimistic view of our joint growth potential as general investment improves,” Jensen said.

“Longer term, we believe it will be unusual not to be able to see who you are talking to across distance, whether it’s from home, your desktop, a conference room or larger rooms, and we are well positioned to serve the professional part of this market.”

Stephen Gill, UK managing director at CityIS, will also be on the new board – as will the MDs for the US and Singapore divisions, James de Poortere and Michael See.

The new entity will employ about 200 people at 13 offices across Europe, North America and Asia.

John Thompson, chairman of CityIS, said the comapny had a strong position in financial, pharmaceutical, legal and media verticals, as well as managed services.

“With Viju’s leading position within advanced collaboration and visualisation solutions for the international oil and gas industry, we make a winning combination,” he said.

“Expanding the oil and gas business from CityIS’ international locations and bringing our collaboration managed service solutions to Scandinavia are among the prioritised growth areas.”

Viju telemedicine offerings have combined videoconferencing with digital medical equipment to help look after 5,000 workers on 34 platforms in the North Sea.