ANS gears up for Smart ID flotation

Reseller to float single sign-on and authentication ISV next week

Reseller ANS has revealed its Smart ID subsidiary will begin trading on the PLUS market next Thursday.

ANS first mooted plans to float the unit, which develops single sign-on and authentication software, in January (CRN, 22 January).

Scott Fletcher, chief executive at ANS, told CRN Smart ID’s initial public offering had been fully-subscribed and that ANS would raise £750,000 from the move.

He added that he was recruiting a channel director to build a reseller base for the ISV.

“We floated Smart ID to ensure there was minimal conflict with the channel. It will move to a separate building and ANS will just act as one of its resellers,” Fletcher said.

“Ensuring there is no channel conflict is a subject close to my heart as I’ve been working in the channel for a long time.”

Fletcher said Smart ID would hunt for one or two resellers in select verticals including education, local government and finance.

“Technical skills are not hugely important as it’s easy to install. What’s important is they have a customer base in the right verticals,” Fletcher clarified.