Portal joins acquisition trail

IBM VAR grabs Cognos expert Planit CPM for an undisclosed sum

Fast-growing VAR Portal has stepped on the acquisition path by snapping up Cognos expert Planit CPM.

The deal, for an undisclosed sum, is part of IBM partner Portal’s strategy to accelerate growth in key areas of information management and social collaboration.

Planit was founded in 2009, and has a wide range of customers in financial services, higher education and healthcare. Planit staff will join Portal with immediate effect.

Shamus Kelly, chief executive of Portal – which was itself created by the merger of four resellers in 2006 – said: “We made a decision to expand our capabilities significantly – particularly in IM – about a year ago.

“Analytics is crucial in both our social collaboration and IM solutions so the acquisition of Planit is a perfect fit, helping us deliver truly comprehensive solutions to both new and existing customers.”

“The IM and analytics markets are growing quickly as organisations begin to realise the challenges but also the opportunities presented by the emergence of big data,” said Planit's Murray Pullin.

“Portal has recognised this and we are delighted to be joining the team at such an exciting time.”

Portal’s acquisition comes at a time of rapid growth for the firm, which saw sales increase 50 per cent for its financial year ended 31 March 2012. Over the past three years turnover has leapt from £8m, to £22m in FY 2011.