Category: News

There can be only One — FluidOne snaps up Highlander

Posted on February 6, 2023 by - News

Cloud and networking aggregator FluidOne has acquired Sheffield-based MSP Highlander Computing Solutions.

Highlander Computing Solutions focuses on enterprise IT infrastructure, SME IT managed services, enterprise IT cloud services and cyber security services.

FluidOne claims the buy will see revenue grow by 35 per cent and will make up half of the group’s portfolio.

Highlander Computing Solutions MD Steve Brown, said: “When FluidOne approached us, we weren’t up for sale.  However, when we had a conversation with FluidOne, everything just fell into place. FluidOne provides the right cultural fit, quality customer service and the opportunity to invest in Sheffield as an HQ and growing hub for SME IT and for enterprise IT infrastructure.

Oracle’s licensing tactics could force businesses to pay a fortune

Posted on February 6, 2023 by - News

Oracle changes to the Oracle Java SE subscription model could cost customers a bomb – especially in the long term.

Businesses with limited Java use would have to shell out thousands to license the software per employee under the new model.

Oracle claims its new Java SE Universal Subscription is “a simple, low-cost monthly subscription that includes Java SE Licensing and Support for use on Desktops, Servers or Cloud deployments.”

“Customers of the legacy Java SE Subscription products continue to receive all the original benefits and may renew under their existing terms and metrics,” it said.

Operators expect to make $625 billion from 5G

Posted on February 6, 2023 by - News

Juniper Research has been consulting its Tarot cards and reached the conclusion that operators will generate $625 billion from 5G services globally by 2027; rising from $310 billion in 2023.

The new report, Operator Revenue Strategies: Business Models, Emerging Technologies & Market Forecasts 2023-2027, predicts this growth of 100 per cent over the next four years will be driven by the migration of mobile subscriptions to 5G networks, and the increasing inclusion of eSIMs in devices such as laptops and Wi-Fi hotspots.

The research forecasts 80 per cent of global operator-billed service revenue will be attributable to 5G by 2027; allowing operators to secure a return on investment into their 5G networks.

However, the increasing implementation of eSIMs into new devices will drive global cellular data traffic to grow by over 180 per cent between 2023 and 2027, as data traffic is offloaded from fixed and Wi-Fi networks to 5G.

Research author Frederick Savage commented: “eSIM-capable devices will drive significant growth in cellular data, as consumers leverage cellular networks for use cases that have historically used fixed networks. Operators must ensure that networks, including 5G and upcoming 6G networks, are future-proofed by implementing new technologies across the entirety of networks.”

To prepare for this increasing demand in cellular data, the report predicts 6G standards must adopt innovative technologies that are not currently used in 5G standards. It identified NTNs (Non-terrestrial Networks) and sub-1THz frequency bands as key technologies that must be at the centre of initial trials and tests of 6G networks, to provide increased data capabilities over existing 5G networks.

However, the research cautions that the increased cost generated by the use of satellites for NTNs and the acquisition costs of high-frequency spectrum will create longer timelines for securing return on 6G investment for operators.

As a result, it urges the telecommunications industry to form partnerships with specialists in non-terrestrial connectivity; thus benefitting from lower investment costs into 6G networks, the report said.

 

HPE launches new Irish partner programme

Posted on February 3, 2023 by - News

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) has launched a fresh Ireland partner programme.

The outfit said the programme aims to “reinvigorate” its partnerships in Ireland and is centred on strategic investment to support partner growth.

The move will be led by Heather Walls who is HPE’s as new Ireland channel leader after working at the former maker of expensive printer ink for more than ten years.

She will join the local Irish leadership team whilst continuing to report into the UK & Ireland channel director, Lewis Simmonds.

Security outfit Cyren surrenders

Posted on February 3, 2023 by - News

Security outfit Cyren is cutting “substantially all” of its staff and is exploring an asset sale or liquidation.

In a news release, the publicly traded company said that “existing cash and projected cash flows from operations will not be sufficient to meet the company‘s working capital needs in the near term.”

The email security and threat detection vendor blamed “current market conditions and associated challenges with raising additional capital” for the company’s situation.

“In the absence of additional sources of liquidity, management anticipates that the company‘s existing cash and projected cash flows from operations will not be sufficient to meet the company’s working capital needs in the near term,” Cyren said in a statement.

Trustmarque presumes to buy Livingstone

Posted on February 3, 2023 by - News

Trustmarque has acquired software asset management (SAM) consultancy Livingstone in a midmarket growth play.

Reading-based Livingstone employs around 150 staff. It turned over £17 million in calendar 2021. Trustmarque said the deal will bolster its existing capabilities in SAM, cloud and licensing.

“This transaction is the first step in an ambitious growth strategy to accelerate the consolidation of mid-market IT services in the UK,” it stated.

Founded in 2010, Livingstone had been majority owned since 2018 by Carlyle Group. The outfit has been becoming more important as end users look to optimise their software estates in the wake of big vendor price hikes.

EvolveODM snaps up 4G Voice and Data.

Posted on February 2, 2023 by - News

EvolveODM has snapped up mobile telecoms provider 4G Voice and Data.

It is EvolveODM’s second buy out in a few months. The outfit took over GB3 from EG Group in November 2022.

The company as founded in 2005 and provides end-to-end managed network solutions, including global SD-WAN for customers in 11 countries.

4G Voice and Data was founded in 2012 and has a team with more than 25 years’ experience in business connectivity services including telecoms, mobile, and payments, and works with all UK major mobile networks.

The acquisition will see 4G become part of EvolveODM, while maintaining its services, staff and customer base.

Tech Nation forced to close by March

Posted on February 2, 2023 by - News

Tech Nation, the UK industry body set up in 2014 to support tech entrepreneurs in scaling up their businesses, is closing after the UK government pulled funding to give it to Barclays Bank.

The government-backed organisation has been working for more than a decade to help the UK scale up tech its ecosystem and done rather well.

Tech Nation’s core grant funding from DCMS is being awarded to Barclays Bank and no one is really sure why.  The Government claims that Barclays Eagle Labs got the cash following an open competition and rigorous assessment process.

Vendors need to be very green

Posted on February 1, 2023 by - News

Technology providers are demanding more environmental-sustainability-aligned performance from vendors and are demanding they prove their green street cred.

According to analysts at Gartner group more than 70 per cent of technology sourcing, procurement and vendor management leaders (SPVM) will have environmental-sustainability-aligned performance objectives by 2026.

Big G said that vendors to incorporate sustainability rigour into operations and objectives as sustainability is becoming a competitive differentiator.

Almond swallows rival Amossys

Posted on February 1, 2023 by - News

Security outfit Almond has written a cheque for all of Amossys’ shares.

Founded in 2007, Amossys provides consultancy and expertise in cyber-security, enabling companies and public authorities to evaluate and improve the security level of their computer systems.

With more than 60 engineers, and cyber-security experts, Amossys serves about 100 companies and other organisations, in a wide variety of sectors – defence, aerospace, the public sector, healthcare, banking, transportation, telecommunications, energy, . – and has an annual turnover of almost six million euros.

eGates will be a big thing claims Juniper

Posted on February 1, 2023 by - News

eGate hardware revenue will exceed $490 million by 2027; up from $207 million in 2023 according to a new report from Juniper Research.

The report, with the catchy title Border Security Technologies: Emerging Trends, Key Opportunities & Market Forecasts 2022 2027, predicts that rising levels of international travel and greater passenger flow will drive the adoption of eGates, as a more efficient means of border control manual processes.

eGates, otherwise known as ABC (Automated Border Control) gates, allow users to verify their identity by comparing their biometric signature, usually captured by a facial recognition camera, with the information stored on the biometric chip of their passport.

The research predicts airports will be looking to implement efficient border control solutions to help manage increasing passenger flows, as international travel continues rebounding following the lifting of COVID-19-related travel restrictions.

iplicit opens a reseller channel

Posted on January 31, 2023 by - News

Accounting software provider iplicit is launching a reseller channel that will allow its partners to offer true-cloud accounting software to growing businesses and land new, larger clients.

iplicit caters for organisations that have outgrown their entry-level finance systems but do not want to move to expensive enterprise-standard ERP solutions.

The iplicit Channel Programme will allow resellers to fill a gap in their portfolios, enabling them to retain their existing customers as those businesses grow while developing new and recurring revenue streams.

Everis turns on the gas with Cadent

Posted on January 31, 2023 by - News

Everis has scored a contract with the UK’s largest gas distribution network, Cadent Gas, to provide it with data quality tools from Informatica.

The agreement will enhance Cadent Gas’s asset data quality and provide insights into its business operations.

Cadent Gas currently manages enormous volumes of data, so the initial focus of this project will be to look at asset data to improve its quality and enhance the insights generated.

The improved quality of asset data and insights will help Cadent Gas to better manage its operations, reduce costs, and improve decision-making processes. These improved data management capabilities will also allow it to better monitor risks, including environmental challenges associated with operating a gas distribution network.

Eduardo Fernandez, Head of Gas, Power & Water at NTT DATA UK&I, said that Cadent Gas served 11 million homes and businesses, making it the largest gas distributor in the UK. Energy data management is a core area where OFGEM has asked energy licence holders to increase digitalisation and investment, and the partnership with Cadent Gas will help it to meet the regulator’s aims.

“By delivering quality improvements to asset data, energy suppliers can drive better management of the gas network and positively contribute to their Journey to Zero targets in the UK.”

Cadent Gas Head of Data Management and Data Science Marta Czerep said: “We are very pleased to be working with NTT DATA on the modernisation of the outfit’s data.

“Cadent wishes to improve its data capabilities and modernise our business to support the wider Net Zero aspiration. We are looking forward to working with NTT DATA and benefitting from its capabilities to future-proof our business with the latest technology for data management.”

Arrow inks deal with Synopsys

Posted on January 31, 2023 by - News

Arrow Electronics has signed a pan-European distribution agreement with Synopsys, to deliver the Synopsys Software Integrity Group’s application security (AppSec) testing solutions to resellers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

Arrow and Synopsys will enable customers to enhance the security of their software through the integration of Synopsys’ AppSec portfolio of market-leading security solutions.

Arrow will resell and deliver joint Synopsys solutions and services, integrate them into DevSecOps workflows and help ensure an optimal customer experience. This will promote a streamlined procurement experience, enhanced security execution, cloud migration and digital transformation projects.