CDG morphs from distributor into 'digital integrator'

Firm sells off traditional software distribution activities to focus on high-end digital transformation projects

CDG has sold off its traditional software distribution business after concluding that its future lies in helping large SIs deliver digital transformation projects.

Having helped make the market for the likes of Citrix, RES and Kaviza, CDG is best known for supplying emerging software vendors to the VAR community.

But last summer, the firm concluded its future lay elsewhere and last month sold off its core distribution activities after rebranding them as ISDG in October.

Marketing director Chris Patton said the character of CDG's business had begun to shift in 2012 as it started working on more digital transformation projects with large private sector organisations and central government agencies, either directly or via large SIs.

"We came to the conclusion last August or September that it was a major revenue stream for us that was taking us away from our roots in providing software solutions to the VAR community," he said.

Splitting the firm in two was necessary to avoid confusion for vendors and customers, Patton added, "as it was becoming quite difficult to articulate what CDG did".

CDG, which has 15 staff and is now styling itself as a "digital integrator", will look to push open source over proprietary software wherever possible, he claimed.

"We're passionate about driving open source," he said. "CIOs are becoming more prepared to take a qualified risk in adopting open source software and are becoming far more savvy. You're getting more digital natives coming through the ranks who know there are other technologies out there that can do the job."

He added: "I think there is a real need in the market for a lean and agile service provider. A customer told me the other day that we're like a mammal in a world of dinsousars - we are able to grasp new initiatives very quickly."

ISDG's management team, meanwhile, includes both previous CDG employees and new directors, including Donald Wasterfall, with 10 staff in all. Vendor partners include Maas360, Egenera, Nomadesk and Webroot.