Technology Reseller v45

NEWS : RESELLERS technologyreseller.co.uk 09 Chris Roche Tim Mears Cheshire-headquartered IT company Axon is celebrating its first 20 years in business. The company, which started out as a Microsoft training business before moving into managed IT services, supports SMEs across the UK with all their technology needs, including advising on and implementing business transformation programmes. Key areas of expertise include Microsoft licensing, security managed services, Microsoft Teams, Power BI, telephony, technical support, internet connectivity, Microsoft Cloud Azure and Microsoft Dynamics. Axon has developed its own in-house Microsoft Dynamics CRM team, which recently released Dynamics Now, an automated solution giving SMEs the parts of Dynamics they really need (e.g. their pipeline, a CRM) at the click of a button. MD Tim Mears said: “We’ve done well at being ahead of the curve in terms of technology – I’m proud of that. The technology industry evolves quickly, and we keep up with the changes and that’s testament to our team.” www.axon-it.com Atos Circular Computing partnership Atos, a global leader in digital transformation, is expanding its Net Zero Transformation portfolio with the addition of carbon-neutral, remanufactured HP, Dell and Lenovo laptops from Circular Computing. The global reseller partnership was finalised at last month’s COP26 conference after Atos had trialled the remanufactured laptops in its own business. Last month, Circular Computing became the first company to be awarded a BSI Kitemark for its circular remanufacturing process. www.circularcomputing.com BGF investment for Celerity Growth capital investor BGF is backing hybrid cloud and IT managed services provider Celerity with a £15 million investment to drive further growth. Celerity, headquartered in Preston, is an expert in digital transformation and high value hybrid cloud and IT managed services, including cyber security, data recovery and data visualisation. BGF’s funding will enable founder and CEO Chris Roche and COO Craig Aston to continue to scale Celerity’s managed service proposition and super-charge its growth. As part of the deal, BGF’s Harry Jones will join the Celerity board, along with non-executive chair (NXC) Phil Male, who has acted as NXC for other BGF portfolio companies, including Virtual1, ROI and Miss Group. Harry Jones said: “We have closely tracked Celerity’s transition from a reseller and integrator of infrastructure to a highly successful IT managed services provider. Its impressive growth has accelerated rapidly through major contract wins, with managed service revenues more than quadrupling in the last 12 months. The management team’s track record of delivering growth, and the vast potential that exists within this market, made the company an extremely attractive investment proposition.” Since it was set up in 2011, BGF has invested £2.5bn in 400 growing companies, including £538 million in tech businesses. In 2021 alone, it has invested more than £100 million in tech businesses and made seven successful exits in the sector. Part of BGF’s investment in Celerity comes from its recently launched UK Enterprise Fund (UKEF) established alongside Coutts, the private banking arm of NatWest. www.bgf.co.uk Cantec acquires software development expertise Irish technology provider Cantec Group has strengthened the software development capabilities of its three Group companies – Docutec (managed print services), SmartOffice Automation (software) and Promotive (design & marketing) – with the acquisition of Dublin-based Accounts Payable Automation Solutions company InShip. With eight software developers among its 10 employees, InShip specialises in the development of plug-in solutions that automate manual tasks in the accounts payable process and integrate with over 40 software packages, including Sage, Xero and QuickBooks. The acquisition secures Cantec’s place as a leading technology and solutions provider, with offices in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Mullingar, and gives added impetus to its growth strategy, which includes expansion to the US and Australia in 2022. Cantec Group has increased its headcount from 39 to 52 over the last 18 months and aims to double it to more than 100 employees by 2025. www.cantecgroup.ie Version 1 gains Microsoft Azure Expert MSP Partner status IT and cloud managed services provider Version 1 has become one of only 105 Microsoft partners worldwide to be awarded Azure Expert Managed Service Provider (MSP) status in recognition of its success in helping organisations with their digital transformation. Founded in Dublin and employing almost 2,000 people in the UK, Ireland, Spain and India, Version 1 specialises in delivering digital, cloud, data and ERP transformation services to enterprises and public sector organisations. In the UK, the latter includes Highways England, Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS), Ofgem, Home Office, Harrow Council, London Redbridge Council and Barts Health NHS Trust. Version 1 has been working with Microsoft technology since 2006. In addition to its Azure Expert status, it is an AMMP (Azure Migration & Modernisation Programme) Approved partner holding Azure Advanced Specialisation accreditations in Windows and SQL Server Migrations and Application Modernisation. It is also an AWS Premier Partner, a Microsoft Gold Partner and an Oracle Partner. Version 1 CEO Tom O’Connor said: “We are delighted to celebrate being recognised as a Microsoft Azure Expert MSP. Securing this honour is not only a reflection of the significant investment Version 1 has made in our cloud and Next-Generation Managed Service capabilities, but the investment of our people in reaching that goal.” Axon celebrates 20 years in business Pictured, from left, are: Siobhan Brennan (Version 1), Paul Chawke and Aisling Curtis from Microsoft Ireland, Brendan McGettrick, Barry Clifford, Tom O’Connor, and Olivia Carroll (Version 1) at One Microsoft Place, Dublin, Ireland.

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