GCI stays on message with latest acquisition
Managed services provider says Packet Media's enterprise-grade SMS messaging platform will add another string to its bow
Managed services provider GCI has followed up its recent acquisition of the assets of Outsourcery by grabbing Stoke-on-Trent-based Packet Media.
Packet Media, GCI's third acquisition of 2016, specialises in SMS services and counts estate agents Foxtons among its customers.
Mike Constantine, chief technology officer at GCI, claimed Packet Media's capabilities would blend well with its core cloud and unified communications services, including Skype for Business, Azure and PCI DSS.
"What we are particularly excited about is its enterprise-grade SMS messaging platform and its associated management information (MI) reporting capability," he said.
"This new GCI SMS messaging service will fill an important gap in our portfolio and helps us to differentiate our proposition - particularly for the multi-touch contact centre environment."
Packet Media managing director Julian Gallimore said demand for the firm's services were being driven by the fact it takes an average person 90 minutes to respond to email and 90 seconds to respond to a text.
The purchase comes hot on the heels of GCI's acquisition not only of the Outsourcery pre-pack deal in June, but also of Scottish Microsoft partner IA Cubed in July.
Only last month, GCI told CRN that, having swallowed about 16 firms in 16 years, it was gearing up for more acquisitions.
GCI chief executive Adrian Thirkill said Packet Media's capabilities would allow it to offer something different to its enterprise customers and reseller channel.
"If the stats are to be believed, approximately 23 billion text messages are sent worldwide daily with a staggering 98 per cent open rate," he said.
"So, there is clearly a demand for this service and we believe that's because email and internet based communications have strayed from being helpful customer comms to irritating advertising overload - ‘ad blockers' for tablets and smartphones is a high-growth business."
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