Spring consolidates Compaq training deal

Spring Group has acquired Tandem Education from Compaq Services, consolidating its ability to deliver training across the PC giant's product line.

The purchase also brings Tandem into line with Compaq and Digital's strategy of giving specialised partners responsibility for the provision of training to customers and the channel.

Tandem Education will be integrated into Spring IT Training, part of Spring's IT services arm. As part of the deal, Spring has gained a three-year exclusive agreement to deliver Tandem training in the UK and Ireland.

The acquisition also included a courseware licence agreement with Compaq Corporate Education and service level agreements guaranteeing the quality of service provided by Tandem Education.

About 30 staff will transfer to Spring from Compaq Services, bringing its number of full-time trainers to more than 170.

Gareth Cadwallader, director of Compaq Customer Services, said it expected Spring to build on the classroom and customer site-based services it will initially deliver to get involved in more innovative training methods.

He said it would move into areas such as internet-based training.

He added: 'That is why Compaq has the policy of not doing training. Our partners are better suited to invest in innovations like this because it is their core business.'

The purchase price was not released but was believed to be a six-figure sum.