Morse dashes into consultancy
Reseller acquires CSTIM
Corporate VAR Morse has strengthened its hand in the financial services sector by acquiring management consultancy CSTIM.
The acquisition cost an initial £5.9m, with further payments due depending on performance.
David Beresford, UK director of Morse, told CRN that CSTIM will remain a brand and will offer broad management advise. Morse will be its recommended source for IT. "A significant number of consultancy engagements have a big IT angle because it is so strategic," Beresford said.
"CSTIM has been frustrated in the past because it could not deliver the technology and integration element."
The purchase adds management advisory skills to the IT consultancy and services business Morse has been building up in recent years. Beresford said that if the company separated out services, they would account for about 35 per cent of its revenue.
Gordon Davies, commercial director at reseller Compusys, said Morse had made a good move. "It is well conceived and a natural progression for the firm," he said.
"We do this on a smaller scale by working with small consultancies. It is another marketing conduit for new business. These relationships can be successful."
Separately, Morse has become BMC Software's first UK's business service management implementation partner. The deal means it can deliver the software maker's full range of system management products and services.