Reseller Associated Network Solutions (ANS) has launched into the voice over IP (VoIP) sector with the acquisition of Preston-based Business Integrated Operating Systems (BIOS), as predicted by CRN (CRN, 3 July).
The final price paid for the acquisition will be deferred and based upon BIOS’s financial performance over the next 18 months. ANS said BIOS will continue to be run as an independent business for the time being.
Scott Fletcher, chairman of ANS, told CRN that the firm’s acquisition of BIOS will give ANS another base. “We intend to invest further in BIOS,” he said. “It’s local and we know the people at BIOS. It has a strong customer base and makes a good addition to ANS.”
BIOS provides a range of communications services, ranging from penetration testing to VoIP, and has previously won several contracts with the NHS.
Len Findlay, founder and director of BIOS will remain as a director of the combined business. Findlay told CRN: “We believe that long-term benefits, both to BIOS’s staff and customer base, will be gained from the acquisition.”
However, Fletcher added that ANS’s acquisition of BIOS would not be the end of the line.
“We are still acquisitive and expect [another acquisition] to happen within the next 12 months,” he said.
ANS told CRN that it expects the acquisition of BIOS to provide it with an additional annual turnover of about £2.5m.
In June, ANS posted a 24 per cent increase in end-of-year turnover to £5.1m, up from £4.1m in the same period last year. The VAR’s pre-tax profit also soared by 49 per cent up from £369,351 to £549,567 over the same period (CRN , 19 June).
>> Further reading:
Do you agree?
Have your say on this article