AST Group has acquired the voice communications vendor South African Philips Business Communications Sales & Services organisation (PBC), for an undisclosed sum.
JSE-listed AST says it aims to integrate the organisation into AST Networks under the leadership of Brian Armstrong.
AST Group executive director Pieter Bouwer says factors such as the presence of Internet Protocol (IP), the growth in data networking, the advent of widespread Internet/intranet communications, and telecommuting and home offices and e-business growth have created an unprecedented opportunity for new communications infrastructures.
"Given the market developments towards converged voice and data solutions, we realise that the interests of clients will be best served by an organisation that combines strength in IT industry solutions and services with expertise in voice communications and networking," he adds.
"The AST Group`s networking capabilities and the voice communications skills of Philips Business Communications complement each other and this will have a synergistic effect on our total product and services offering in the South African market."
Ian Murdoch, CEO of Philips SA, says PBC announced last year that it was embarking on a programme to attract strategic partners to the business.
"The acquisition by AST is a great strategic move for PBC`s existing clients: they will benefit from AST`s networks expertise and system integration skills in the southern African market, and have access to AST`s 62 physical service locations throughout the region."
PBC has 30% of the large PBX implementation user base in SA.
PBC customers are served through a network of more than 50 sales organisations, distributors, dealers and value-added resellers worldwide.
The companies say that AST Networks will be one of PBC`s most sophisticated indirect business channels, and a leading communication system and network integrator in the market.
The deal is subject to the Competition Commission`s approval.
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