DBAM administrator seeks second sale

Small chunk of IP remains following SonicWall deal

The SonicWall deal ensured DBAM's creditors clawed back half of their debts

The administrator of fallen UK WAN optimisation vendor DBAM Systems has stressed the vendor still has some intellectual property (IP) left to sell, despite recently reaching a deal with SonicWall.

Late last month, security vendor SonicWall agreed to buy some of DBAM’s technology with a view to integrating it into its own solutions.

It has also taken on 10-12 of DBAM’s engineering staff.

Andy Wood of The P&A Partnership, who is joint administrator of DBAM, described the deal as a “good result in the circumstances”.

“There is a potential further sale we are taking advice on but at this moment in time we believe the major IP asset has been sold,” he said. “Anything we get going forward is a bonus.

“What is potentially left is ongoing concepts DBAM was working on. It is a question of whether these can be developed.”

Wood said the SonicWall deal meant DBAM’s creditors – who were left saddled with debts of £2-3m – would get back “50 pence in every £1”.

He added: “The former employees [who are now working with SonicWall] see this as a fantastic opportunity to work for a big international player.”

At the time it went into administration in February, DBAM admitted the economy had taken its toll on business but also slammed the government for not providing more support to UK tech start ups. The firm claimed to have about 40 UK resellers, all of which bought through distributor Tekdata.