Ideal denies talks to buy Sagitta

UK-based distributor Ideal Hardware will outsource key aspects of its open storage area network division to specialist integrator Sagitta, but has denied it is in talks to buy the company.

UK-based distributor Ideal Hardware will outsource key aspects of its open storage area network (San) division to specialist integrator Sagitta, but has denied it is in talks to buy the company.

Ideal has worked with Sagitta for over five years. The latest deal sees Sagitta take control of pre- and post-sales for open San technical support, reseller training/surveys and installation. It also marks a change of role for Sagitta which previously supplied Ideal with storage hardware only.

"Sagitta will provide us with umbrella support over the open San market," said Mark Walker, enterprise solutions director at Ideal. "We have worked with them closely in the past and we hope to further develop that relationship."

However, Walker dismissed any idea of formal takeover discussions, but admitted that the proposition was attractive.

"Our owner, Bell Microsystems, has an acquisition policy which our European expansion plans demonstrate, and since we need Sagitta's help to service important areas of our portfolio, there would be obvious benefits in a more permanent link," he said.

Andy Norman, managing director of Sagitta, said that the deal illustrated the strengthening bond between the companies.

"We have had a close relationship for a long time and we provide expertise in a number of key areas where Ideal is thin on the ground. It is also a good opportunity for us to move into the services side of the market," he said.

Norman also rejected reports that he had spoken with Ideal about acquiring his firm, but added: "There have been no talks about a takeover but we will wait and see."

Nick Amer, general manager of storage at rival Computer 2000, said he was unaware of the rumours but found it strange that Ideal required external assistance when it was a dedicated storage distributor.

Walker revealed that offices opened as part of Ideal's European expansion will not be self-titled but named after its parent, Bell Microsystems.