Cloud Computing and Infrastructure-as-a-Service providers to extend lead in mid-market sector
BlueFire, a member of the Dimension Data group, announced today that it is to merge operations with IT solutions company Netforce.
Both Sydney-based companies offer complementary hosted and managed IT services, primarily to the Australian and New Zealand mid-market.
The merged operations will retain the BlueFire brand, but will consolidate offices to Netforce’s existing North Ryde headquarters, which features a new, state-of-the-art Tier 2 data centre as well as purpose-built business continuity suites.
Once the operational merger has been completed, BlueFire will comprise 75 staff and more than 500 clients, host in excess of 1500 servers and associated infrastructure. Current clients include Ascent Pharmaceuticals, AVJennings, Global Television, Grindley Construction, HY-TEC Industries, Realestate.com.au, RedBalloon, Royal Wolf Trading, Rubicor Group and WPS Financial Group.
According to Adam Pozniak, CEO of BlueFire, the operational merger of BlueFire and Netforce will reinforce the company’s depth in infrastructure-as-a-service offerings, and is also compatible with its continued development in market-leading cloud technologies.
“The North Ryde facility provides us with our own Tier 2 data centre and associated business continuity suites, which complement our existing services and provide a premium hosting alternative close to Sydney's CBD."
Netforce General Manager Debra Lee also commented on the benefits of the operational merger: “Over the last 15 years, Netforce has become renowned for the level of personal service we provide to our clients. With the operational merger with BlueFire, we will be able to combine this customer service excellence with a greater depth and maturity of service offering, particularly in the areas of hosted storage and hosted desktop."
The operational merger was made possible via a strategic investment in Netforce by Dimension Data. Dimension Data had originally acquired a similar majority shareholding in BlueFire in October 2008.
At the time of the BlueFire investment, Dimension Data’s Australian CEO Steve Nola stated that it provided the company with a mechanism to go to market quickly with cloud-based service offerings.
“While BlueFire has been a sound investment in terms of the company’s strong growth within the Australian and Asia-Pacific mid-market over the past 18 months, Dimension Data has also been able to leverage BlueFire’s hosted services by integrating these as part of the IT outsourcing and managed services portfolio we take to our existing client base,” said Mr Nola.
“Many clients are looking to source cloud-based services for strategic parts of their IT infrastructure, and it is really important that we can provide viable options to allow our clients to maintain a centralised services engagement with Dimension Data.”
While the merged operation is majority-owned by Dimension Data and will be used to support Dimension Data service offerings, the combined BlueFire and Netforce operation will continue to operate as an independent business, servicing its existing client base.
The operational consolidation of BlueFire and Netforce is expected to be concluded by the end of August 2010, with no impact on the two companies’ existing clients.
/Ends
About BlueFire
BlueFire provides infrastructure-as-a-service and cloud computing to mid-market clients across the Asia-Pacific region and enterprise clients via its parent company Dimension Data. The company provides a comprehensive range of services including; Hosted Desktop, Enterprise Email, Hosted Backup and Disaster Recovery. Since it was founded in 1996, BlueFire has experienced solid organic growth and has built up significant regional service delivery capability across Asia Pacific. BlueFire is a member of the Dimension Data group of companies. www.bluefire.com.au
About Netforce
Established in 1994, Netforce provides managed IT & Telecommunications solutions. Netforce is driven by the passion to serve the technology needs of businesses in Australia. Its proactive and collaborative approach is geared towards understanding its client’s key business drivers and helping achieve its client’s goals. www.netforce.com.au
About Dimension Data
Dimension Data plc (LSE:DDT), a specialist IT services and solution provider, helps clients plan, build, support and manage their IT infrastructures. Dimension Data applies its expertise in networking, converged communications, security, data centre and storage, Microsoft and contact centre technologies, and its unique skills in consulting, integration and managed services to create customised client solutions. www.dimensiondata.com