NS Optimum spells salvation for A2Z Computer Products

Buy-and-build player acquires business assets of liquidated education VAR

Pars Technology buyer NS Optimum has rescued another struggling education player from the brink by acquiring the business assets of A2Z Computer Products.

Loughborough-based Microsoft Gold partner A2Z went into liquidation last Monday, bringing in insolvency practitioners Baker Tilly to oversee proceedings.

According to the most recent set of financial documents filed with Companies House, A2Z made a loss of £127,000 in 2009.

The acquisition is the second that NS Optimum has made in the education market, after it bought beleaguered system builder Pars Technology last month.

NS Optimum's managing director, Andrew Rutley, talked ChannelWeb through its education-focused buy-and-build plans last month.

In a statement, Rutley said the acquisition of A2Z was further proof of its commitment to growing its share of the education market.

"Both Pars and A2Z had loyal customer bases and NS Optimum is in an excellent position to continue to support those customers," he said. "We have over 20 years of experience in the IT sector and have specialist teams to ensure that customer needs are met."

The statement also confirmed the company is contacting A2Z customers who are concerned about what the deal might mean for their service continuity and product warranties.

Tim Guy, technical director of NS Optimum, added: "We will do everything possible to help A2Z customers ensure the continuity and robustness of their systems."