NS Optimum sets channel straight on buy-and-build plans

Despite purchasing two ailing channel firms, acquisitive system builder denies picking on troubled players

NS Optimum has dismissed claims that it is deliberately targeting ailing education players as part of its buy-and-build strategy.

The Warwickshire-based systems builder has recently made two acquisitions as part of its plans to increase its share of the UK education market.

In April, the firm emerged as the victor in the race to acquire struggling system builder Pars Technology.

That deal was followed up last week with the announcement that NS Optimum had rescued Microsoft Gold partner A2Z Computer Products from liquidation.

Speaking to ChannelWeb, managing director of NS Optimum Andrew Rutley said that despite the deals it has done to date, the firm is not interested solely in VARs facing financial difficulties.

"The strategy has always been focused on increasing our share of the education market through a mix of acquisitions and organic growth," explained Rutley.

"That is not limited to companies that are in trouble, because it all comes down to what is available on the market and whether it is a good fit for us."

In more general terms, Rutley predicts that more education-focused channel firms could find themselves struggling this year.

"The change in government last year has resulted in different spending patterns in the education market, which is making the marketplace very interesting as resellers try to find ways to adapt to that," he added.

Andy Trish, managing director of Microsoft Authorised Education Reseller NCI Technologies, agreed: "The funding of educational establishments has been changed so many times they simply do not know where they stand, and many are reluctant to spend the money required to keep them up with technology."