Square One widens horizons with acquisition of NETintellect

Square One Solutions Group, the IT-based business enabling solutions provider listed on the software and computer services sector of the JSE Securities Exchange, has acquired specialist network services provider NETintellect (Pty) Ltd.

NETintellect, which has operations in Durban and Cape Town, will be integrated with the business solutions division of Square One, boosting its national footprint and providing additional expertise. Square One has more than 20 years of experience in the South African market.

Square One Group COO Craig Alexander said Square One had been "courting" NETintellect for some time. "We are extremely pleased to have concluded this deal. The network services methodologies inherent in their business will add impetus to our IP2 (IP Squared) client engagement strategy and NetFlex service management process, both of which are key requirements for our ongoing success."

Alexander added that the NETintellect acquisition included highly qualified and experienced technical staff. "These are knowledgeable people with industry-leading accreditations and many years of hands-on involvement in the networking business. The structure of the acquisition will see all NETintellect personnel taking up key positions in Square One.

"Being Durban headquartered with an office in Cape Town, NETintellect gives us immediate additional business traction in the KZN and Western Cape regions. The combination of our operations there brings an immediate increase in firepower in terms of capability and know-how, client base and services and support. The integration of the two companies will prove to be quick and painless with zero overlap in functions."

Richard John, MD of NETintellect, said the acquisition by Square One was a logical progression. "Our four years of operation in the network services space have been hugely successful but it is now the right time to take what we have developed and move it up to a higher level."

He added that Square One's "go to market strategy" was closely aligned to NETintellect's thinking. "We are looking forward to new challenges while continuing to provide all of our current service offerings to our extensive client base. Our NETservices suite of services is being integrated with Square One's solutions offerings en bloc and consequently these services will seamlessly continue to be offered without any interruption whatsoever."

NETintellect's skills base supports services in seven areas - network operations, security, voice and data integration, consulting, performance management, design and implementation and network auditing. The staff have more than 100 years of experience in IT and specifically networking, including two Cisco Certified Internetworking Engineers, acknowledged as the highest networking certification worldwide. Other qualifications include Cisco Certified Security professional, Cisco Certified Network professional, Cisco Certified Design professional, Advanced MPLS Professional and Certified Novell Engineer.

"Like Square One, we well understand the criticality of providing value-based solutions to clients in the form of increased revenue, improved control, reduced cost and improved productivity, image and service on a long term basis," said John.

Square One's IP2 (IP Squared) strategy and NetFlex service management process is designed to produce results and add value in a networking and infrastructure market that Alexander said is going through another disruptive, as opposed to sustaining, phase.

"Rapid convergence of technologies such as data, voice, video and image is taking place, accompanied at the same time by convergence in the offerings of the entertainment and media, telcos and cellular industries in both the business and consumer markets."

Alexander added that Square One's acquisition of NETintellect was aligned to its plan to become a networking infrastructure integrator which "can span the inevitable knowledge gaps associated with convergence and be fully focused on IP-based solutions, providing enterprise clients with a far broader range of networking infrastructure solutions and more meaningful value propositions".