Channel services outfit XOR eyes expansion

Infrastructure service provider plans to double headcount in 2011 on the back of largest-ever win

Channel-only infrastructure services firm XOR Professional Services is on an expansion drive after bagging its largest-ever deal.

XOR works exclusively through a network of about 25 UK SIs and resellers, and recently helped a partner win a £2m UK-wide Oracle transformation deal.

While the partner retained the value of the kit sales, the professional services component XOR provided was worth £240,000 – its biggest win to date.

XOR claims to have delivered more than 500 infrastructure projects. The firm is aiming to double its headcount to at least 40 this year, with sales anticipated to nearly treble to £3.4m.

Partner director Foiz Ahmed said XOR sometimes provides partners with headcount where they lack skills but stressed the firm was more than just a body shop.

"The reactive element is a small part of our business," he said. "We can help partners close deals they could not otherwise win because they do not have the technical understanding."

Ahmed added: "Our key partners are the larger resellers and SIs. They white-label our services so end users are not aware who we are."

Ahmed said XOR often rubbed shoulders with distributors but also competed against channel services companies such as Glasshouse and Intact. "Glasshouse also do end-user business while Intact do security and networking but do not do storage," he emphasised.