Amicus ITS makes data play with double investment

Managed services provider invests in two data-centric tech firms six months after MBO

Managed services provider Amicus ITS has hit the acquisition trail, making investments in two firms, six months after splitting from former parent Care UK.

The Hampshire-based outfit has taken "substantial stakes" in what it describes as two data-centric technology firms, Granger Smith Consulting and Curatix Technologies, in line with where it sees the MSP market shifting.

The investments comes six months after Amicus ITS completed a management buyout from Colchester-based Care UK, which had owned it for three years.

Managing director Steve Jackson, who led the MBO, said the definition of an MSP has changed "radically" over the last three years, with people now demanding access to data quickly, regardless of the device, platform or where they are in the world.

"As we know, data lies at the heart of every organisation and the security of this is paramount," said Jackson (pictured, centre, with Curatix MD Martyn Randell and Granger Smith managing director Simon Smith).

"...our investment in Granger Smith Consulting for business intelligence and big data analytics creates differentiation and will enable our customers to make informed and accurate business decisions.

"We are able to provide corporate assurance for enterprise organisations that all their data is fully secured, backed up in the UK and always available, with full data protection and replication solutions incorporated through our investment into Curatrix Technologies. Our investments in both companies demonstrates our belief and commitment in the growth of these technology areas".

For its year ending September 2015, Amicus ITS saw revenue fall from £17.5m to £12.8m, with operating profit more than halving to £301,000. It attributed the contraction to several factors, including a slowdown in hardware sales and a reduction in its activity with Care UK.