ACS in frame for Anix buyout

US IT services giant said to be in the running to acquire Xploite's managed services arm

Xploite is locked in boardroom talks over the possible sale of Anix

US IT services giant Affiliated Computer Services (ACS) is among the names being linked to IBM reseller Anix after parent company Xploite revealed yesterday that it is in talks to sell the business.

ACS snapped up another IBM reseller, Shropshire-based Syan, in January 2008 and several channel onlookers have heard Syan’s name linked to a possible deal.

Xploite bought managed services specialist Anix in 2007 as part of its mission to build a £100m storage reseller. The unit has since been integrated with two of Xploite's other acquisitions and generated the bulk of the firm's £46.3m revenues last year.

Xploite’s market capitalisation has more than doubled to £24m this year and insiders claim a deal for Anix could be worth between £20m and £30m. It is believed that Xploite chief executive, serial entrepreneur Ian Smith, is keen to focus on Xploite’s small storage software business, Storage Fusion.

Tom Kelly, managing director of integrator Logicalis, said: “I cannot see why Xploite would sell Anix now as I cannot see it getting a significant return in the current climate.”

An ACS representative said it “does not comment on rumour or speculation”, while Xploite failed to return CRN’s calls.