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AST bolsters UK position with Symatrix buy
Tie-up of Oracle specialists will provide operations on both sides of the Atlantic for expanding American business
US player Applications Software Technology (AST) has made a move to increase its international footprint with the acquisition of Manchester-based Oracle partner Symatrix.
The UK firm specialises in a range of Oracle services, including payroll, HCM, ERP, SCM and SCI, and will now become part of the AST family, which also operates in the same areas.
Symatrix has built up a customer base that will add more depth to AST’s vertical approach and provide the firm with a springboard to develop in further areas. The Oracle expertise offered by the firm will also add more muscle to cloud services provision.
“The capabilities of Symatrix complement and broaden AST’s core services and allow us to reach new global markets,” said AST CEO Justin Winter. “Working together, we will be able to offer enhanced services to our combined customer base. We’ll continue to deliver high-value solutions that provide measurable value and outcomes for our customers at a global scale.”
Charles Phillips, managing partner for Recognise, chairman of the board for AST and former president of Oracle, gave an insight into how the move might be seen by the vendor. “AST and Symatrix represent a powerful combination in Oracle Cloud services,” he said.
“The complementary end market exposure helps solidify the businesses’ leadership positions across two continents.”
In response, Symatrix CEO Chris Brooks said AST was an established player with a strong reputation in helping customers navigate through complex cloud requirements, and that it was a good home for the business. “Joining forces with AST is a natural progression for Symatrix and allows us to service our customers with even greater resources and technical services,” he said.
Fresh offerings
The plan is to keep Brooks and the rest of the Symatrix leadership team in place with a brief to expand the UK customer base with the fresh offerings that will come from AST. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“At AST, we foster a culture of inclusivity and innovation at every level of our organisation,” said Winter. “The Symatrix family embodies these values, and our partnership opens a world of exciting possibilities for our customers and employees.”
Meanwhile, another example of a foreign player strengthening its international position emerged with Swiss firm Nozomi Networks working with MSSP Axians UK.
Axians will add the firm’s OT and IoT security products to its managed detection and response platform. “This MSSP partnership will bolster our security managed services portfolio and be an integral addition to our 24/7 eyes on proactive monitoring service by industrial cyber security specialists, said Mark Lloyd, business unit general manager at Axians UK.
“Together, we have the industrial expertise, skilled engineers and a great technology platform that enhances threat prevention, detection and remediation to protect critical assets and provide robust security,” he added.
Marcus Josefsson, vice-president of sales in the EMEA region at Nozomi Networks, said Axians was the latest to join its growing partner ecosystem.
“Leveraging Axians expertise to deliver managed services to industries, including those critical to society, couldn’t come at a better time,” he said.
