Tempus Computers Ltd hits the wall

Brummie hardware VAR enters administration after 30 years in business

After three decades in business, Birmingham-based hardware VAR Tempus Computers has become the latest reseller to hit the wall.

Established in 1982, the VAR, which works with suppliers including Panasonic, Toshiba, IBM and Lenovo, made its name selling ruggedised computing devices to public sector customers. The firm also sold software and, according to its website, is a Microsoft SMB Specialist partner.

Tempus has been posting losses since 2008 and had a turnover of £5.8m in 2009. Accounts for 2009 showed that the company owed £2.2m to creditors as of the year-end. At the end of last year, this figure had been reduced to £1.5m.

But this was not enough to prevent Tempus Computers Ltd and Tempus Developments Ltd being placed into administration on Monday.

Tempus Software Ltd, an ISV which owns the occupational health technologies Cohort and Calm, is still trading. A spokesperson at Tempus said all customer calls for Tempus are being routed to the administrator.

Rod Butcher and Richard Goodwin of Birmingham-based corporate recovery firm Butcher Woods have been appointed as joint admistrators. They were unavailable for comment.

Steve Hennessy, sales manager at rival Birmingham reseller Computerworld Business Solutions, expressed regret that a firm started in the same year as his has foundered.

"It shows what a difficult environment it is for what are good companies; it is all about making the right decisions," he said. "If there are any customers that are Birmingham-based, we can try to help them."

Eddie Pacey, managing director of EP Credit Management and Consultancy, added: "This business was long-established and offered a unique client-orientated service, but has been struggling since the early part of 2008 and probably did not have enough scope to change what it historically did and the business model it had before."