Johannesburg, 01 Apr 1999
In major moves to increase its marketplace presence in South Africa, JSE-listed Datacentrix has acquired three South African companies to add to its own Gauteng-based operation. These companies are Supported Software (located in Cape Town and Johannesburg), Cape-based Langraphix, and Network Architects in KwaZulu-Natal.
The transactions have a combined value of more than R44 million, which will be settled as a mix of shares and cash.
Datacentrix acquired Langraphix and Network Architects in a move to expand its national coverage. The Supported Software acquisition was motivated by the need to increase Datacentrix`s ability to deliver comprehensive software solutions, says MD Gerhard Uys
"The acquisitions are in line with Datacentrix`s plans to establish a national footprint and to enhance its product and service offerings," he says.
Langraphix is an empowerment company that has been well known to the Datacentrix management for many years. It focuses on network solutions as well as sales and support for the Accpac range of accounting systems.
Directors Neville Naaidoo and Colin Naidoo will continue to head the operation, which has been renamed Datacentrix Western Cape.
Network Architects is a service orientated company focussing on the integration of local and wide area network infrastructures. The company also offers network management, network performance monitoring and problem resolution services. It is an accredited Novell Business Expert and Microsoft Managed Partner.
The company is headed by current directors Hartmut Eckhardt and Brian Dicks, will be known as Datacentrix KwaZulu-Natal.
The Supported Software acquisition will significantly increase the range of software solutions and services and complement the information technology solutions currently provided by Datacentrix.
Datacentrix envisages a major synergy with Supported Software to arise from their customer bases, both of which have similar profiles. Customers include corporate, governmental, financial and parastatals.
The company, which is being acquired for R38.5 million, formed a part of the PQ Africa group until a management buy-out in March 1998. It currently focuses on network management and performance management, storage management, document and data archiving for SAP R/3 systems and enterprise data exchange.
Supported Software MD, Leon Theron, says: "The acquisition provides good news for staff and customers. We believe that the additional security provided by Datacentrix will translate into growth potential and we will therefore see further enhancement in our customer service levels.
"It is good news for staff because we are now part of a listed entity with the opportunities for personal advancement which this brings.
"We are excited about the acquisition and are experiencing a positive relationship with Datacentrix. We are also gratified by the market`s acceptance of the move."
Theron adds that the acquisition provides Supported Software with a quality black economic empowerment partner in the form of co-ordinated Network Investments, the controlling shareholder of Datacentrix, who can provide substantial value to Supported Software at both the operational and strategic levels.
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