EquIP shows first-year success

New-economy focus helps 'channel solution provider' beat slowdown.

EquIP Technologies has bucked the economic trend and reported earnings up nearly £2m on its expected results.

The company, which prefers to call itself a 'channel solution provider' (CSP) rather than a distributor, had predicted that it would turn over £3m to £4m for its first year, ended 28 February, instead of the final unaudited figure of £5m.

Its audited full-year figures should be released within six weeks, according to Neil Ledger, EquIP's co-founder and director.

The Hampshire-based company defines itself as a CSP because it focuses on delivering products and services aimed at the internet-enabled new economy.

EquIP specialises primarily in providing products, consultation, training and other services for VARs engaged in selling and implementing IP-based networks.

Internet acceleration, caching, access and security are other areas in which the company is achieving good growth and recognition.

Unlike other areas of the IT industry that are seeing a slowdown in demand for traditional products such as hardware and software, EquIP is still enjoying good corporate demand for internet products and services, such as acceleration and caching, according to Ian Morris, EquIP's director.

However, there is still a lot of work to be done in educating the market about these new growth areas, according to Ledger.

He told CRN that the company was actively involved in training and consultancy with its base of 100 VARs to help them "close business". It is also actively using co-op funds and telemarketing activities with resellers to win new contracts.

EquIP's next big project, to be rolled out over the next few months, is what it calls 'Touch Down' capabilities. By bundling products and services together, the company hopes to offer connection to a local Lan anywhere in the world using virtual private networking technology.

Clive Longbottom, Quocirca analyst, said firms such as EquIP are doing well because some corporates are investing in areas such as internet caching and web acceleration to improve existing technology.

"Corporates are prioritising IT investment and commodity products are low down the list. Companies can't just stop spending on IT," he said.